New Hubris Class- The Klind Exile (Race as Class) and a New Hubris Video Review

A New Video

Ben Milton has just released a video review of Hubris for those who are curious about it and want more info!  A very heartfelt thanks to Ben (and all others) for the kind words and praise for Hubris!

DriveThru link here!

A New Class

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a Hubris specific class post.  When I was writing the Klind enemies, I had envisioned an exile type class, but cut it due to the book already being fucking huge and I wanted to move it forward.

Here it is!

The Klind Exile

Behold the hideous Klind (art by Jeremy Duncan)

Here’s the PDF: The Klind Exile

You hail from the Blighted Sands (Hubris, pg 60) from the Klind Empire.  Your people worship the Serpentine God of Depravity, Set (Hubris, pg 211) and you hail from his lineage.  You are no priest of Set (Hubris, pg 304), but your face is snake-like, your body sculpted and lithe, your long arms end in slender lengthened fingers, almost like spider legs.

You are considered unnatural by your people.  You were born with the ability to use a gift that is not yours, rivaling those of the Sex Prophets or the Flesh Weavers.  You are feared and shunned by your people, hated and persecuted.

You have struggled for years, living in brutal conditions, surviving off the scraps you can find.  Well no more.  You have killed one considered your “better” and stolen their Bio-Organic Armor (Hubris, pg 304) and have left Klind to forge a better life.

Servants of the Empire hunt you, wishing to wipe your existence from the world of Hubris.  You can never stop; you can never rest.  You have no people you can call your own. You are forever alone; forever exiled.

 

 

Hit Points: 1d8

 

Weapon Training: A Klind Exile is trained in the use of bolas*, crossbow, dagger, dart, hand crossbow*, kukri, shortbow, short sword, throwing knives, and spiked chain*. Klind Exiles tend to wear light or no armor as it impedes their ability to invoke passion or weave flesh (see below).  Their bio-organic armor does not affect their roll.
*Weapons in the Hubris campaign setting (see equipment, pg 54).

 

Alignment: The very essence of the Klind and of Set is suffused with chaos.  While you may be exiled from your people, the chaos courses through your veins.

 

Lithe and Agile: Klind are lithe and agile creatures, full of grace and ease.  All Agility-based tests (not attacks) and Reflex saves are rolled one step higher on the die ladder.  Klind Exiles also have the Move Silently and Backstab skill of a Thief (DCC, pg 38) of equal level and alignment.

 

Ample Survivor: A Klind Exile has learned to survive on their wits and ability to be quick with a blade.  When fighting with simple blades (i.e., throwing blades, daggers, and the kukri), the Klind Exile is treated as if they have a 16 in Agility for the purpose of two-weapon fighting (DCC, pg 94).  The Klind is quick to act, when fighting with this type of weapon they add their Luck modifier (if positive) to their Initiative roll).

 

Claws: A Klind retractable razor-sharp claws that deal 1d6 damage. A Klind is never considered unarmed.

 

Abhorrent Creature: You have somehow have been blessed, or cursed, depending on your point of view, with a small amount of ability to use the alluring abilities of the Sex Prophet (Hubris, pg 302) or weave the flesh of others, same as the Klind Flesh Weavers (Hubris, pg 303).  This is seen as an affront to the will of Set and the hierarchy of the Klind themselves.

 

A player makes this choice at first level.  Once made it cannot be undone.

 

The Prophet: A Klind Exile that has the ability of the Prophet can summon forth intense emotions of passion and lust in those around them.  The Klind Exile must roll a 1d20+Personality Modifier+Klind Exile level and consult the able below.

 

Waves of Passion
1	Lost, failure, and gain a haggard, disgusting appearance (i.e., moles, lanky, fragile hair, liver spots, hunched over, etc.) for 24 hours.  All Personality rolls are made two steps lower on the die ladder for the duration.
2-11	Lost.  Failure.
12-13	A touched target must succeed a Will save (DC 8+ Klind Exile level) or become overcome with emotions of passion and lust.  They are unable to concentrate and suffer -2 to all attacks and save rolls for 1d3 rounds.  Those that critically fail their save fall to the ground and are helpless for double the duration.
14-15	A touched target must succeed a Will save (DC 8+ Klind Exile level) or become overcome with emotions of passion and lust.  They are unable to concentrate and make all attacks and save rolls one step lower on the die ladder for 1d6 rounds.  Those that critically fail their save fall to the ground and are helpless for double the duration.
16-17	You release a wave of passion and lust in a 5’ radius.  Any in the area must succeed a Will save (DC 8+ Klind Exile level) or become overcome by the emotions.  They are unable to concentrate and make all attacks and save rolls one step lower on the die ladder for 1d6 rounds.   Those that critically fail their save fall to the ground and are helpless for double the duration.
18-19	You release a wave of passion and lust in a 10’ radius.  Any in the area must succeed a Will save (DC 8+ Klind Exile level) or become overcome by the emotions.  They are unable to concentrate and make all attacks and save rolls one step lower on the die ladder for 1d6 rounds.  Each target affected heals you for 1 HP.  You cannot go over your maximum hit points.  Those that critically fail their save fall to the ground and are helpless for double the duration.
20-21	You release a wave of passion and lust in a 15’ radius.  Any in the area must succeed a Will save (DC 8+ Klind Exile level) or become overcome by the emotions.  They are unable to concentrate and make all attacks and save rolls one step lower on the die ladder for 2d8 rounds.  Each target affected heals you for 1 HP.  You cannot go over your maximum.   Those that critically fail their save fall to the ground and are helpless for double the duration and heal you for 2 HP.
22+	You release a wave of passion and lust in a 30’ radius.  Any in the area must succeed a Will save (DC 8+ Klind Exile level) or become overcome by the emotions.  They are unable to concentrate and make all attacks and save rolls one step lower on the die ladder for 2d8 rounds.  Each target affected heals you for 1 HP.  You cannot go over your maximum.   Those that critically fail their save fall to the ground and are helpless for double the duration and heal you for 2 HP.

 

 

The Weaver: A Klind Exile that has the ability of the Weaver is able to manipulate the flesh of others to horrifying effect.   The Klind Exile must roll a 1d20+Personality Modifier+Klind Exile level and consult the able below.

 

Flesh Meld
1	Lost, failure, your flesh melts, taking on a waxy, plagued appearance (as if you’ve been scarred from a bad burn).  You suffer a permanent -1 to Personality for each occurrence.
2-11	Lost.  Failure.
12-13	You can touch a target causing their eyes and mouth to stretch, making it extremely difficult to see or speak.  They suffer -2 to notice rolls, ranged attacks, and persuasion rolls.  This lasts for 1d3 rounds.  The target is allowed a Fort save (DC 8+Klind Exile’s level) to avoid this.
14-15	You can touch a target, causing their flesh to become rubbery and painful, often forming bubbling boils, and hanging off the body. On a failed save the target suffers –3 to all rolls.   This effect lasts for 1d4 rounds.  The target is allowed a Fort save (DC 8+Klind Exile’s level) to avoid this.
16-17	You can cause the flesh of up to two targets in a 10’ radius to become rubbery and painful, often forming bubbling boils, and hanging off the body. On a failed save the target rolls all physical rolls one step lower on the die ladder. This lasts for a number of rounds equal to your level.  The targets are allowed a Fort save (DC 8+Klind Exile’s level) to avoid this.
18-19	You are able to cause the flesh of one target within 15’ to meld together. Their legs fuse together and their hands become large balls of blistered flesh. They must make a DC 12 Agility test or fall prone. Their movement is reduced to 10’. They drop whatever items they are holding and are unable to use their hands. This lasts a number of rounds equal to your level.  The target is allowed a Fort save (DC 8+Klind Exile’s level) to avoid this.
20-21	You are able to cause the flesh of two targets to meld together.  The targets can be no further than 20’ away from you.  Their legs fuse together and their hands become large balls of blistered flesh. They must make a DC 14 Agility test or fall prone. Their movement is reduced to 10’. They drop whatever items they are holding and are unable to use their hands. This lasts for a number of rounds equal to your level.  The targets are allowed a Fort save (DC 8+Klind Exile’s level) to avoid this.
22+	You can touch the target and shape their flesh in minute detail.  You can cause the target’s eyeballs to seal, nose and mouth to become covered with skin growth, etc. A target can last a number of rounds equal to their Stamina score before needing to make a DC 16 Fort save. A failed save means the target has died from suffocation. The player can come up with other amusing situations and the Judge and the player can discuss the outcome.  This last for a number of rounds equal to your level.  The target is allowed a Fort save (DC 8+Klind Exile’s level) to avoid this.

 

 

Damaged Bio-Organic Armor (Type I): You stole another Klinds bio-organic armor before fleeing your homeland.  In the scuffle to relieve the Klind of their armor, it was damaged and cannot be repaired.  The armor grants +3 to AC, suffers -0 to check penalty and has a d8 Fumble Die.

 

When taking damage, make a Luck roll.  If successful, you ignore 1 point of damage (even magical).  At night when sleeping in your armor, make a Luck roll.  If successful, the armor heals you, restoring 1 HP per hour.  While in the suit you do not need to consume more than 2 cups of water every 8 hours.  You can see in low-light in a 30’ radius, and can breathe in a sandstorm up to 1 hour.

 

Hunted: You are a mistake that should be cleansed from Hubris.  A small detachment of Klind is attempting to track you to bring you back to Klind, so you may be sacrificed on the altar to Set.  Even if you kill the ones after you, you know there will always be more.  This is your curse to bare.

 

 

 

Klind Exile Table
Level	Attack	Crit Die/Table	Action Die	Ref	Fort	Will
1	+0	1d10/II	1d20	+1	+1	+0
2	+1	1d12/II	1d20	+1	+1	+0
3	+2	1d14/II	1d20	+2	+1	+1
4	+2	1d16/II	1d20	+2	+2	+1
5	+3	1d20/II	1d20	+3	+2	+1
6	+4	1d24/II	1d20+1d14	+4	+2	+2
7	+4	1d30/II	1d20+1d16	+4	+3	+2
8	+5	1d30+2/II	1d20+1d20	+5	+3	+2
9	+5	1d30+4/II	1d20+1d20	+5	+3	+3
10	+6	D130+6/II	1d20+1d20	+6	+4	+3

 

 

 

Starting Gold
2d12	3d12+500	3d12+2,000

 

 

 

Class Damage

 

This is the damage a Klind Exile does if the group is using the optional damage rules outlined in Hubris, pg 50.

 

Klind Exile Class Damage
Light	Medium	Heavy
1d4	1d6	1d6

 

 

 

Info on the Klind

 

Taken from Hubris, pg 66.

 

The Klind are a race of humanoids devoted to their serpentine god, Set. They seek to dominate Hubris and bring all into Set’s fold, either through conquest, corruption, or as a suitable sacrifice.
For over 300 years the Klind have schemed, fought, and plagued Hubris. Most people of Hubris have only heard of the Klind whispered as frightening tales, from the safety of their homes or taverns. The true visage of a Klind, armored in their bio-organic suits, with bizarre and dangerous weapons, marching ceaselessly across the territories of Hubris in search of slaves and sacrifices is not something that can be accurately captured in story.
The capital of the empire is built around the Great Ziggurat of Depravity where sacrifices of the pitiful and unworthy are made to satiate the hunger of Set. The Venomous Red Scales are the elite guard to the High Priest of Set. These terrifying warriors police the streets, gather those suitable for sacrifice, and carry out the High Priest’s wishes. While risky and dangerous, outsiders still come to Klind to trade or search for treasures in the Blighted Sands.

 

Death is the New Pink Out Now!!

Death is the New Pink was released last week on Drivethru/RPG Now in PDF format (here’s the link)!  The POD version will be coming out soon.  I’m waiting to get approved by OBS for formatting.  Once I get my proof, and if it looks good, I’ll put it up for sale.

Anyone who buys the PDF of DitNP will get an email with a discount to get the POD as if they purchased the bundle.

Here is other things I’ve posted about Death is the New Pink on the blog.

If you’ve purchased DitNP and enjoy it, please feel free to leave a review on Drivethru/RPG Now

Here’s the summary of DitNP

This bizarre, crazed, post-apocalyptic setting uses the fun Into the Odd rules by Chris McDowall and is inspired by Tank Girl, Judge Dredd, the Fallout and Borderlands video game series, and Mad Max.

Players take on the roles of Meat Bags that wander the packed and filthy streets of Scratchtown, or buzz through the wasteland on souped-up hot rods.  Their goal: to find Doodads, obtain materials for trade, or to cause mayhem, death and destruction just for the sake of it.  Meat Bags feel they’ve seen and done it all, so the prospect of death is one of the only exciting “unknown” things left in the world.  Death is the New Pink is brutal, bloody, and chaotic.  Things should be kept fast-paced and it’s more than fine if it doesn’t make sense!  Character death is fairly common and should be embraced; a particularly blood death should be applauded and celebrated!

Doodads, mutants, bullets, dead bodies, and some booze and pizza are all in a day’s adventure in the Wasted World.

Strap on your ass-kicking boots and grab your big guns, Meat Bag!

It’s time to get your killin’ (or dyin’) on!

Burn rubber and enjoy spreading chaos in the Wasted Worldin this scrappy RPG!

What’s In the Book

Death is the New Pink is rules-lite and keeping with the rules designed by Chris McDowall, characters can be made in 2-5 minutes!  There are rules for vehicles, new equipment, rules for Doodads (strange and powerful scientific devices), Muscle Ups! (perks that give special abilities to the Meat Bag), bunches of Nefarios (bad enemies that want to hurt your squishy bits!), info on the expansive city called Scratchtown, an adventure called “A Bloody Romp Through the Catacombs,” and a Point Crawl through the the Wasted Earth near Scratchtown (including map). The book comes in at 90 pages!

 

Barbarians of the Ruined Earth Session Four- Into the Ruins of Santa Mo- Part 2

We continue our Barbarians of the Ruined Earth campaign!

In Part One the group fought some raiders, met some friendly, albeit cautious scavengers at the entrance to the ruins of Santa Mo, and decided to go the the small boomtown, Fang’s Point.

Players

Chad– Medical Robot (named Marko Tron), rides a Giant Snailbadger.  Life Event: Has trouble understanding why humans whine so much, has mouthed off about it and been chased out of several villages. Trinket: World War II army helmet.

John– Barbarian (named Dagor)- rides on a Giant Snailbear. Life Event: Mother was killed by croc-men when he was a child. Now he fights for the underdog!  Trinket: Silver dagger given by his father.

Liam– Sorcerer (named Fulgur Tenebris) Crazy Sorcerer appearance- grey skin, grey hair, cat eyes, jagged nails, yellow teeth, body changes color with emotion (50 shades of grey), has a metalic staff with spider web etching. Power manifestation black orbs with grey lightning. Life Event: Family was pushed out of village because of your birth.  Trinket: Golden necklace given to denote remarkable birth.  Rides one of the last Ancient Earth elephants (also has grey skin and yellowing tusks). Rules for Spellcasting here.

Not Present

Fletch– Urchin class (wasn’t able to play today).  More on this character later.

Omar– Death Priest (named Morg).  Wears totally Gothic stuff and has bone shoulder plates, a bone mace, and a Trump-like demeanor.  He was once the ruler of a village of humans, but was chased out and exiled.

Nate– Vek (Anthropomorphic dinosaur- raptor- pretty feathers. Named Valeran the Vek).  He thinks humans are savages.  Life Event: Father was a brilliant Vek who understood Stupendous Science. Father was eventually killed by a Sorcerer. Trinket: Headdress of bone, wood, and feathers.  Rides a camel.

Gene- Cougar Beastman (called Fanth).  Vicious fighter.  Watched many of his tribe vaporized in front of his eyes by the evil magic of a Sorcerer.

Time to Ruffle Some Feathers

The group made their way towards Fang’s Point, walking for about a mile, with the mounts having difficulty with the terrain (especially the snails).

The group was happily talking to one another, except for Liam, who was trailing behind.  Liam heard the sound of giant wings.  He looked up and saw a grotesque creature flying towards Spaz!  Liam shot a bolt of grey energy from his staff, but his shot went wild.

Probably one of the best pictures of a harpy I’ve ever seen.

Spaz noticed the creature at the last second and dodged out of the way of its talons.  Vog shouted, “Oh no!  It’s Redfeather!”

Initiative was rolled and the group all took a few pot shots at Redfeather, all missing.  Vog pointed his sword at her, “Careful!  She’s cunning!  And she shoots fire!” As he spoke Redfeather’s mouth and throat became bloated and she spewed forth a large ball of fire that hit Grunt.  Grunt dropped to the ground screaming, rolling around to douse the flames.

After a few rounds the group had widdled some HP off of Redfeather.  She opened her mouth and screeched, “My children!  Protect me!”  From behind a building came three smaller, black-feathered, and younger looking Vulturefolk.  Aside: I treated them as 1 HP mooks.

The fight went on a few more rounds and it was pretty vicious.  Liam was dropped Out of Action by one of Redfeather’s fireballs.  Grunt was dropped to Out of Action by an attack from one of the black-feathered hags and John was scooped up in Redfeather’s talons and dropped from 20′ high, taking some damage but wasn’t stunned.

Chad shot his laser pistol and shoulder-mounted laser cannon at Redfeather, blowing off part of her wing, causing her to slam into the ground while John ran over and shoved a healing salve (restores 1 HD of hit points) to Liam.  Redfeather started limping and backing away from Chad, spewing a fireball at the robot.  Chad attempted to punch her in her gross, stupid face, but missed.

Redfeather’s mouth and throat became bloated again as she made ready to shoot another  fireball, but a grey ball of energy slammed into her face and she keeled over dead.  Liam stood, weakened and charred with his staff pointed towards were Redfeather stood.

After the fight, I had the group roll Out of Action (with Disadvantage) for Grunt, but he survived.  Charred, burnt, and crippled- sadly Grunt’s days of exploring and scavenging had come to an end.

Vog lead the weary and battered group the rest of the way to Fang’s Point.  The group was allowed access to this small settlement that seemed to be the remains of an Ancient Earth strip mall promenade.  Netting had been attached to the roofs of the surrounding buildings to create a protective canopy, and after the attack of Redfeather and the other Vulturefolk, it was appearent why.

The group noticed that people either had dead animal pelts on their personage, more often as a cloak, or a circuit-type belt buckle.  John inquired to Vog about this.

“Oh those are symbols to show which block these people show allegiance to at Nukatomi Plaza.  The ones with the animal pelts are from the Feral Block- they identify with spirit animals or some such, and the ones with the gizmos are from the Slums.  Their leader, Tinker Tok, is well… a tinker of Ancient Earth technology, from what I hear.”

Liam, wearily stopped at a small, rickety wooden kiosk with a painted sign, “Potions and Baubles” and asked if she had any healing salves for sale.  The woman stuttered and looked uncomfortable at being in conversation with a Sorcerer, but gave Liam the salve for free as thanks for killing Redfeather.  “Thanks.  Is there a doctor nearby?”

“Why yes there is!  The bonesaw is right over there!”  She points at a structure made of wooden posts and canvas tenting.  Liam stumped in there and found a man with a cybernetic arm, with a saw blade sticking out, cutting into a side of beef.  The man turned around and saw Liam, “Well it isn’t often I get to see a Sorcerer up close- least of all one that is close to death.”

Zed’s a good guy…  Just gruff!

“Are you the doctor?” Liam asked hesitantly.

“Yup!  Name’s Zed (yeah I totally went to Borderlands here)!  Welcome to Zed’s Butcher Shop!”

Liam twitched, “You’re the butcher and the doctor…?  Ok.” And then he passed out.

John celebrated with Vog and walked around the small settlement.

Chad went to the Junk Shop and haggled with proprietor, Vin, about getting some bags that could be made into saddle bags for his mount.

Vin is very serious and doesn’t understand robot humor.

“Welcome to the Junk Shop.”

Chad busted out some “Welcome to the Junk Shop!  We got all your junk and games!”

Vin looked at him and frowned, “I’m sorry, but I don’t understand robot humor…”

The group haggled and finally Vin pulled out three bags he scavenged from a nearby ruined building.  Chad looked at the hideous color, “Is that all you have?”

These will look GREAT on a giant Bearsnail!

“Yep.  For something big enough to fit on your snail’s shell!”

Chad thanked him for doing business, bought the bags, and left.

We ended here for the night.  

Next Time- Delving Deeper into the Ruins of Santa Mo!

Barbarians of the Ruined Earth Session Four- Into the Ruins of Santa Mo- Part 1

We continue our Barbarians of the Ruined Earth campaign!

Last session we left off with the group setting off to explore the ruins of Santa Mo!

Players

Chad– Medical Robot (named Marko Tron), rides a Giant Snailbadger.  Life Event: Has trouble understanding why humans whine so much, has mouthed off about it and been chased out of several villages. Trinket: World War II army helmet.

John– Barbarian (named Dagor)- rides on a Giant Snailbear. Life Event: Mother was killed by croc-men when he was a child. Now he fights for the underdog!  Trinket: Silver dagger given by his father.

Liam– Sorcerer (named Fulgur Tenebris) Crazy Sorcerer appearance- grey skin, grey hair, cat eyes, jagged nails, yellow teeth, body changes color with emotion (50 shades of grey), has a metalic staff with spider web etching. Power manifestation black orbs with grey lightning. Life Event: Family was pushed out of village because of your birth.  Trinket: Golden necklace given to denote remarkable birth.  Rides one of the last Ancient Earth elephants (also has grey skin and yellowing tusks). Rules for Spellcasting here.

 

Not Present

Fletch– Urchin class (wasn’t able to play today).  More on this character later.

Omar– Death Priest (named Morg).  Wears totally Gothic stuff and has bone shoulder plates, a bone mace, and a Trump-like demeanor.  He was once the ruler of a village of humans, but was chased out and exiled.

Nate– Vek (Anthropomorphic dinosaur- raptor- pretty feathers. Named Valeran the Vek).  He thinks humans are savages.  Life Event: Father was a brilliant Vek who understood Stupendous Science. Father was eventually killed by a Sorcerer. Trinket: Headdress of bone, wood, and feathers.  Rides a camel.

Gene- Cougar Beastman (called Fanth).  Vicious fighter.  Watched many of his tribe vaporized in front of his eyes by the evil magic of a Sorcerer.

Road Rage

The group got on their mounts (Chad on a Badgersnail, John on a Bearsnail. and Liam on an elephant) and set off to the ruins of Santa Mo.

The group reached the top of a hill on the Ancient Earth Route 66 and the ruins of Santa Mo came into view, sprawling before them as well as the massive, beautiful body of water calle d the “Oshan.”

As the group took a moment to look at the view, Liam and Chad heard the rumbling of an engine coming their way.  Chad immediately moved his badgersnail off the road and took cover behind the remnants of a wall.  Liam summoned a sand storm on the road (depleting his magic for the day already- ouch!) to block their view and hinder whomever was coming.  John was overcome by the sight of the Oshan and just kept exclaiming about it, even after the sandstorm manifested before his eyes.

A broken-down, rustbucket truck pulled into view with four men wearing leather pant, boots, and black suspenders.  They exclaimed at the wall of sand and started looking around.  John, suddenly realizing what was happening moved himself and his mount towards Chad.  The raiders then became aware of the situation as Chad fired his laser pistol at one, killing him.

Two raiders charged at Chad and John while the other charged at Liam.   The two made it to John and Chad and John gutted the one on him and Chad missed the one attacking him.

The raider running towards Liam smashed a lantern on his head and went up in flames, giggling gleefully.  He jumped onto Liam’s leg (who was still on his elephant mount) and started burning Liam, “Join me… in the flames!” they crazed raider exclaimed as his face started popping, melting, and hissing.

The next round Chad managed to punch the one on him (for a whopping 1 damage).  The raider said, “ooooowwww.  That hurt.”  The raider looked at his fallen comrade laying at John’s feet and saw the burnt charred one on Liam scream out in a final gasp of pain and fall to the ground like a charred rodent.  “Uuumm..  Hi!  Welcome to the ruins of Santa Mo!  I’ll be your tour guide this evening!”

Chad (who we are now calling Binary, as it’s easier than saying 100101 each time) hoisted the raider up by the leg and shook him like a rag doll (he critically succeeded his Strength check).  “Tell me about the area and maybe I’ll let you live!”

I had Chad roll a d6 (he got a 3) to determine how much info the raider would know/spill.   The raider informed them of a group of scavengers that watches the entrance to the ruins as well as the small settlement Fang’s Point.  “It’s a bunch of people from that tower, Nukatomi Plaza!  They’re from the Slums and Feral blocks!”  He described a dilapidated building which the humans at Feral’s Point tried to expand to, but ran into trouble and had to abandon it.  The raider described a new base at the water’s edge, called Pirate’s Point, “I haven’t been there!  But I hear it’s a rough crowd!  And… they have vehicles that travel on the water!  Can- can  you IMAGINE such a thing!?” the raider said, laughing hysterically even while hoisted upside down.  Finally, he mentioned tales of a Sorcerer by the name of Scarfious wandering the ruins- vile temperament and powerfully magical.  “That’s all I know!  I swear!”

Chad dropped him, then drug him over to his mount and tied him up over the back of his mount’s shell.  “Awww man!  Come on!  This- this is embarrassing!  What are the other guys gonna say when they see me like this!”

The group headed down to the ruins and slowly entered what clearly was a main thoroughfare in the golden days of Ancient Earth.  John took point and noticed two guns pointed at him from opposite sides of the street.  A booming voice rang out, “Who are you and why do you enter the ruins of Santa Mo?”

“For Adventure!” Shouted John.

“For shits and giggles!” Shouted Chad.

“Because I want to…” murmured Liam.

A powerfully built barbarian stepped out from behind a doorway.  “I was unaware that robots shitted or giggled.” he said pondering.  “I am Vog.  Leader of this band.  Why do you bring a Sorcerer into our home?  We do not trust his kind.”

 

Vog the Barbarian

“We trust him.”  Said John.

After a few moments and a few more words were exchanged, Vog told his group to stand down.  A 15 year old female Urchin and an old man (think of Shaggy if he was 62 and had twitchy eyes) each came out of buildings on either side of the group, both carrying crude-looking rifles.  Vog introduced the girl as Spaz and the man as Knut (pronounce “nut”).  Coming out from a building in front was a grizzled man who grunted at the group.  “And this is Grunt.  He doesn’t speak much seeing as how raiders cut out his tongue and ate it in front of him.”

The group set off toward’s Fang’s Point.

To be continued in Part Two!

 

Barbarians of the Ruined Earth Session Three- Heavy Metal Christmas Sleigh

We continue our Barbarians of the Ruined Earth campaign!

Last session we left off with the group getting ready to face off the vile witch, Grenzel and her cult, The Cabal of Shadows.

Again- not for BotRE, but I LOVE Matthew Adams art!

Players

Chad– Medical Robot (named Marko Tron), rides a Giant Snailbadger.  Life Event: Has trouble understanding why humans whine so much, has mouthed off about it and been chased out of several villages. Trinket: World War II army helmet.

John– Barbarian (named Dagor)- rides on a Giant Snailbear. Life Event: Mother was killed by croc-men when he was a child. Now he fights for the underdog!  Trinket: Silver dagger given by his father.

Liam– Sorcerer (named Fulgur Tenebris) Crazy Sorcerer appearance- grey skin, grey hair, cat eyes, jagged nails, yellow teeth, body changes color with emotion (50 shades of grey), has a metalic staff with spider web etching. Power manifestation black orbs with grey lightning. Life Event: Family was pushed out of village because of your birth.  Trinket: Golden necklace given to denote remarkable birth.  Rides one of the last Ancient Earth elephants (also has grey skin and yellowing tusks). Rules for Spellcasting here.

Nate– Vek (Anthropomorphic dinosaur- raptor- pretty feathers. Named Valeran the Vek).  He thinks humans are savages.  Life Event: Father was a brilliant Vek who understood Stupendous Science. Father was eventually killed by a Sorcerer. Trinket: Headdress of bone, wood, and feathers.  Rides a camel.

 

Gene- Cougar Beastman (called Fanth).  Vicious fighter.  Watched many of his tribe vaporized in front of his eyes by the evil magic of a Sorcerer.

Not Present

Fletch– Urchin class (wasn’t able to play today).  More on this character later.

Omar– Death Priest (named Morg).  Wears totally Gothic stuff and has bone shoulder plates, a bone mace, and a Trump-like demeanor.  He was once the ruler of a village of humans, but was chased out and exiled.

Battle Royale!

Grenzel arrived riding through the air on a Christmas sleigh that had rockets attached to the side.  Flying around her were three robots.  Each had a blue glowing orb on their head which shot an energy beam at Grenzel, encasing her in a force field.

Initiative was rolled with Grenzel winning- and firing a rocket at a group of fleeing NPC villagers from Route 66, killing them off.  All the players either readied attacks, or shot ranged weapons at Grenzel, but when their attacks were deflected by the fore field they set their sights on the robots.

The next round three Ancient Earth pick up trucks came over the hill, each carrying cultists, towards the group.  The trucks came to a screeching halt and three cultists carrying maces and car door shields, two carrying halberds, and a cultist in elaborate robes with a white metallic halberd with a wicked looking blade on one end and a glowing blue light on the other ran towards the group, while three others pulled bows and went behind the trucks for cover.

Liam used the alternate casting rules to great effect and ignited the gas tank of one of the trucks, causing all three to explode, killing all three cultist archers before they could even fire an arrow.

John and Gene and a few NPCs engaged with the cultists while Chad and Nate took pot shots at the robots.

I rolled randomly for who Grenzel attacked, sometime it was just firing a rocket into the village of Route 66 itself, other times at the escaping villagers, and other times a laser bolt to sizzle one of the PCs.

John left the cultists to Gene while he went after the cultist leader with the killer looking halberd.  The fight was hard and John took a few hits from the blade and a couple shots from the glowing blue light  (apparently that end could fire lasers).  Eventually John gutted him and grabbed the Stupendous Device (called the Staff of Deliverance) for himself.

Eventually John and Gene killed all the cultists and there was only one remaining robot that Liam, Nate, and Chad were having a hell of a time hitting.  Liam summoned a floating disk from thin air (his could use his movement action to control it) and had Gene hop on and rose him in the air to smash the robot in the fucking face!

With all three robots destroyed the force field collapsed and the group set to work beating the living hell out out Grenzel.  First Gene attacking the Christmas sleigh itself to bring it to the group.

Gene stabbed his claws into the sleigh’s control panel, causing it to spin out of control and crash hard into the ground.  Grenzel stumbled out and began flinging spells at the band of heroes.  The group pummeled her with blade, spell, staff, laser beam, and claw.  She eventually fell beneath their onslaught.

She whispered a gurgled warning, “This is only the beginning” as she melted into a puddle of black goo.  After a few moments the goo evaporated by left the Cabal of Shadows mark etched into the earth.

 

Found this on the internet- decided it was the Cabal of Shadows symbol

With Grenzel death, the village went to work of burying yet more dead because of the witch (the first session started with robots controlled by the witch attacking Route 66).  While there was some celebration, it was somber; the victory came at a high price.

Over the next couple of days the group healed, talked with the important NPCs of Route 66, and bartered for some goods.  Chad installed a shoulder cannon he salvaged from the enemy robots on himself and Gene decided to accompany the group on their journeys.

A caravan from Nukatomi Plaza, led by the gruff Oog (brother to Ursula of the Yellow, who owns the Broken Motor Tavern).  The group bartered for some goods he brought from the human kingdom and pried Oog for information about the area.  He spoke of the Technodabbler’s Circuitry Tower to the north (a Sorcerer) and villages of snakemen and mutated winged men to the east.

Of most interest to the group was the ruins of Santa Mo (Santa Monica) to the West.  Oog said he was waiting for a group of scavengers to come from Fang’s Point (an outpost in the ruins) with goods to bring back to Nukatomi.

The group decided the would go into these ruins themselves and attempt to find some scrap to sell (their pockets were rather light of ceramic coins).

We ended the session here.  It was a fun session and the battle took up most of it- but it was a great time and they had a blast fighting on multiple fronts.  

Next time- Into the Ruins of Santa Mo!

The Wasteland of the Western Sands for Barbarians of the Ruined Earth

In my Barbarians of the Ruined Earth campaign (will be published soon).  The group has been fighting the Witch Grenzel and her Cabal of Shadows, which has been harassing the village of Route 66 and will soon be headed to either the Ruins of Santa Mo (Ancient Earth Santa Monica) or to Nukatomi Plaza.

 

This area will be in the final book (the map shown here is by the awesome Hex Kit by Cecil Howe, but I will have a fully illustrated map for the final product).

I wanted to keep the descriptions quick and easy and give just enough for the GM to use and build off of and go from there.

The Western Sands

Map Key

For Encounters roll a 1d6.  On a 1-2 there is something of interest.  Roll 1d6.  If the result is even, it is an encounter (see page XX).  If the result is odd, the group has found an interesting location (see page XX).

Fortress Ruins of Glanora of the Sands

• Dilapidated, crumbling, and terrifying.
• Screams and cackling echoes through halls.
• Fortress holds Stupendous Science device in the lowest basement.

 

Imperceptible Bluffs of the Winged Mutant People

• Extremely high bluffs with colorful vegetation (some alien in origin).
• Winged mutants circle the air like vultures, acting as sentries.
• Large stone statue of Haputra, a Cosmic Being worshipped by the Winged Mutant People, rests atop highest bluff.

 

Nukatomi Plaza, The Last Human Kingdom and the Ruins of Los Angel (Ancient Earth City Los Angeles)

• See page XX.

 

Ravaging Dunes of Time

• Soft silky sand, various colors from golden to black.
• Sand always blows in opposite direction than the wind.
• The cult Guardians of Time have a temple hidden beneath the dunes.

 

The Ruins of Santa Mo (Ancient Earth City Santa Monica)

• Crumbled, smoldering, fetid.
• Small pockets of scavengers, mutants, raiders, and monsters dot the landscape.
• Secret lair for Gongfrath, the Sorcerer here. Up-and-coming Sorcerer about to make his epic debut.

 

Sand Drifter Village

• Single-story brown huts constructed of coarse matieral.
• Isolated villagers, mistrusting of outsiders.
• Pig Raiders (pg XX) have been attacking those who venture too far from the village.

 

Shifting and Dancing Oasis

• Pristine waters, clean, inviting.
• Water Weird (pg XX) is home here, guarding the waters.
• The tomb of Sophis the Proud is hidden beneath the sand dunes here.

 

Shopping Mall Fortress of the Witch Grenzel

• Dilapidated, smells of rot, and magic. Ancient Earth devices found inside.
• Grenzel and her cult, The Cabal of Shadows, schemes for more power. Cause trouble for Route 66.
• Alien spaceship crashed into large department store. Aliens are battling Grenzel and her forces.

 

Snakemen Village

• Mounds with holes leading to extensive underground network of tunnels.
• Spears, arrows, bones, and shed reptilian skin dot the sand around the village.
• Human slaves toil tirelessly in the Violet Cactus fields.

 

Technodabbler’s Circuitry Fortress

• Large circuit boards are the structures. All connected via circuity built into the streets.
• Bio-engineered humanoids wander the streets. Humans (deemed inferior) are slaves, servants, and fodder.  Outsiders beware.
• Technodabbler, emaciated, cadaver-like, and cruel, rests on his throne in the Processor Tower.

 

Technothusists’ Energy Farm

• Patchwork of Ancient Earth technology and stolen Stupendous Science devices cause things to run.
• Water wheels and wind turbines run constantly to generate energy. Energy sold to Route 66 and Nukatomi Plaza.
• Technothusists are fringe humans with fascination for Ancient Earth technology, to the extreme.

 

The Village of Route 66

• Houses made of metal storage crates, village walls made of crushed, stacked cars.
• Humans work hard in fields. Trade with scavengers from Santa Mo and caravans from Nukatomi Plaza.
• Troubles with Grenzel the Witch. Powerful Ancient Earth device in a dilapidated hanger not far from town.

 

The Wreckage of the Sorcerer Aluminum Ivan’s Devastation Machine

• Metal covered in barnacles, rust, and seaweed.
• Crashing of waves ding and clang against the metal.
• Many of the internal areas are powered and full of wondrous treasures and deadly monstrosities.

The Last Human Kingdom, the Arcology Nukatomi Plaza- For Barbarians of the Ruined Earth

While writing BotRE, I knew I wanted a single Human kingdom in my game.  This will be included as a point crawl area in the book.  GM’s are feel to ignore Nukatomi Plaza if they want to go with a more Thundarr feel, but I know some groups (mine included) like having at least one urban area to go to, should they want a change of pace from wilderness exploring.

 

The Nukatomi Plaza

This massive arcology was constructed in Los Angeles before the world fell and was the headquarters for the Nukatomi Corporation as well as a source of commerce, residence, and government offices and was completed in the year 1987.  The remaining records left on the few Ancient Earth computers that work tell the scribes that much.

 

Now, in the Ruined Earth, the Nukatomi Plaza is the only known kingdom of humanity.  This two hundred story tower stretches high into the skyline of the ruins of Los Angel, its windows gleam in the light of the red-tinted sky.  The plaza is capable of housing over 150,000 people comfortably, but no one really knows the current population.

 

Every ten floors are considered a “block” and are overseen by a gang, elected official, dictator, or some other form of representative.  All convene on the top floor where they report and pay tribute to Lightning Jack, who sits on his high-backed metal throne and amasses power and plots machinations.

 

Nukatomi Plaza is a place of opportunity.  Some blocks are clean with electricity, medical care, and education.  Others are dark, fetid, and dangerous; gang violence, murder, and drugs are the orders of the day.  While there is competition between blocks, that sometimes turns into violence, outright war is illegal and not tolerated by Lightning Jack and punishment is met out by his Sparkers.  Trade is active between most of the blocks, for each has something the other needs or wants, however sometimes the price is just too high, and taking by force is a better option.

 

The first floor of the plaza houses a large bazaar where the different blocks and traveling caravans sell their wares, ply their trades, and seek needed goods in ramshackle tents.  A few food shops, taverns, and a few organizations can be found here as well.  Lightning Jack’s Sparkers have a constant presence here, making sure no one steps out of line, causes too much trouble, or goes against any of Lighting Jack’s decrees.

 

Sorcery is not tolerated in Nukatomi Plaza, and most peaceful Sorcerers tend to avoid this place.  Many of the citizens of Nukatomi have been under the tyranny of a Sorcerer at one point or another.  Those Sorcerers that do enter the plaza are met with distrust, hatred, and outright violence.

 

Immediately outside Nukatomi Plaza are the grand garages, where motor gangs repair their vehicles, and pay a high price for fuel and parts.  Near the garages are several farms, where slaves and indentured servants toil tirelessly to provide food for the plaza.  Many of these people are criminals, exiles, or someone who owes Lightning Jack in some fashion or another.

 

The ruins of Los Angel surround the plaza and are filled with small pockets of settlers, scavengers, bands of raiders, and twisted, dangerous creatures.  Treasure, useful trinkets, and even Stupendous Science devices can be found by a keen eye and dedicated scavenger in the rubble of the Ancient Earth city, not to mention all the grand devices and treasure from the remains of an epic Wizard’s War which occurred in the ruins of Los Angel over a thousand years ago.

 

Creating Blocks

Give each block a theme/feel, create a leader (or group of leaders), and give the block an interesting location/thing, and a problem for the players to discover.

 

Some sample blocks are listed below.

 

 

 

Sample Blocks
Roll 1d8	Result
1	Rumble Block: This block is governed through brute force and resembles a feudal system more than anything else.  People are forced to do dangerous work to eat and survive with little or no compensation.  The block is filthy, has no electricity, and smells of vegetation, fertilizer, and mildew.  Leader: Klicks is angry, vicious, and heavily scarred.  Klicks leads with brutal control and will not tolerate any challenge to their authority.  Hates beastmen and Sorcerers.  A group of enforcers go throughout block to bully and oversee Klicks’ will.  Interesting Thing: The Pit- There is a fighting pit where Klicks forces his people to fight in bloody romps.  Some fights go too far and a participant dies.  Interesting Problem: Recently Klicks mother was poisoned and died.  Klicks already tenuous grasp on reality has been stretched.  He fears assassination plots from within his own block and is gearing to go to war at the slightest provocation from the other blocks.
2	Healer’s Ward: This block has decent medical care and oftentimes gets people from other blocks coming for aid.  The block is decently clean and kept in repair, has electricity, and smells of aromatic cleaning agents.  Leader: Finder has keen and sharp eyes.  Finder has been a scavenger of the Ruined Earth for as long as anyone can remember.  Much of the medical devices/technology and knowledge that are applied on this block are found on during excursions into the ruins of Los Angel.  Finder is shy and quiet, preferring solitude over large gatherings.  Interesting Thing: A bowling ball-sized chunk of the moon is worshipped as a cosmic being.  Many of the people of Healer’s Ward believe the rock speaks to them in their mind and glows when they prey to it.  Interesting Problem: Recently one of the Healer’s Rooms was ransacked for medicinal supplies.  The Healer’s family was knocked unconscious and swears they didn’t see who did it.  The Healer was killed, a scalpel in their head.
3	Zang’s House: Gang violence, drugs, and other illicit trade is the order of the day on this block.  Many of the thugs are good with mechanical parts and tend to venture out into the ruins on Ancient Earth vehicles in search of scrap and parts.  Sparks pop and fly from metal working, engine parts line the hallways, and it smells like oil.  Leader: Zang is a ruthless cutthroat who took over this block years ago and has remained on top ever since.  Zang has a gang of thugs who oversee drug manufacturing on the block and distribute to other blocks and caravans.  Interesting Location: The Smoke Den- this den if ill-repute is a haven for those wishing to escape the harsh reality of the Ruined Earth.  Drugs, digital entertainment, and distractions of the flesh are all to be found in the Smoke Den.  Interesting Problem: One of Zang’s new drugs, called the Purple Eye, has become tainted and instead of putting the user into a lethargic, serene state, it causes them to become irate, violent, and stronger than normal.  Zang wants to know who ruined his drugs and exact revenge.  Unfortunately, Zang is still selling the drug, regardless of its effects.
4	The Growers Block: The block grows food, either by assisting the farms in the ruins below, or through the baskets they have constructed to hang on the outside of the plaza.  They collect water in large basins and store it, willing to trade the needed resource for other goods.  The block is dirty, with heaps of dirt and fertilizer are piled into the halls, has no electricity, and smells of vegetation and fertilizer.  Leader: Red Eye has a cybernetic eye with red lens which was forcibly put in by a Sorcerer when younger.  Red Eye is quiet and terse, but will not abide by bullying or violence against their people.  Interesting Location: The Alien Garden- A large greenhouse was built on this block and the dirt used to fill the pots was alien in origin.  The result is a large, beautiful garden with bizarre alien flowers, trees, and other vegetation.  Some is actually incredibly dangerous, like the Life Leech Plant, which drains the life force of those that get too close.  Interesting Problem: Heathens and thugs from another block (or perhaps several) are harassing the Growers Block, threatening violence if the growers do not relinquish more food to them.
5	Halo Block: The block has several bits of working Ancient Earth tech that they use to make medicine and drugs that are traded throughout the plaza and sent on caravans.  Many of the people of this block are taught to read and write (whether they want to learn or not) so they can help create concoctions that will get the block coins, favors, stature with Lightning Jack, or needed goods.  The block is clean, has computers and is lined with lab benches with people hunched over working.  The block smells clean and sterile and has working electricity.  Leader: The Observer leads this block with cold calculated efficiency.  Time cards, whistles, calculations, rhythms and flow all govern the actions of the citizens of this block to make sure the highest level of output is achieved.  Those who are unable to deliver enough often find themselves exiled out of the plaza or left, hog-tied, in a less desirable block.  Interesting Location: The Chop Shop- The Observer has created a cybernetic shop that will replace people’s organic bits with cold, efficient technology.  No one knows how The Observer obtained this piece of Stupendous Science, but many feel it is a cause of concern.  Interesting Problem: An explosion rips through a large portion of a floor of the block.  Several people are injured and killed.  The Observer is sure that this is the work of a Sorcerer who was after Stupendous Science devices and other supplies that can only be obtained on the block.
6	Park Block: Area has become overgrown by plants and vegetation.  Rumors have it that it was the work of a magical ritual gone wrong.  The citizens here live, because there is no choice, in a balance with the nature of the block.  There is no electricity on this block, and the sounds of birds and small wildlife greets the ears.  Leader: Vin is an agile youth that took up the mantle of leader due to no other alternative after the previous leader was killed by Lightning Jack.  Vin has made many mistakes attempting to lead the Park Block, the growing pains of learning, but the citizens of the block are accepting of these mistakes, desperately hoping Vin can make everyone’s lives a little better.  Interesting Things:  A large tree grows in the block, and no matter how much is trimmed from the tree, it grows back within a couple days.  The inhabitants of this block treat the tree with some reverence and caution, for they have come to depend on the almost never-ending supply of wood, but wonder what the cost of this miracle will be.  Interesting Problem: Whatever sorcery that has created this strange phenomenon to manifest on this block also occasionally allows terrifying monstrosities to appear.  A predatorial hybrid animal (pg XX) stalks the inhabitants, taking prey in the dead of the night.
7	Feral Block: This block is decorated with animal pelts, heads, and other animalistic pieces of art.  The people of this block wear animal skins and pelts and heads.  They believe they can channel the animal’s spirit.  Ferals are usually hired out as protection on excursions into the Ruined Earth.  Leader: Guard Dog believes in the order of the pack and deals with problems and challenges to their authority in a vicious fashion.  Guard Dog cares for the citizens of their block, for they are the pack, and will not tolerate violence against them.  Feral’s are usually at war with at least one other block due to some perceived slight.  Interesting Location: The Celebration Hall- A large area has been created for Ferals to come together to party and gorge themselves on drink and food.  Many Ferals will sleep together here in a large gathering of bodies pressed together, like a pack of wolves.  Interesting Problem: A splinter faction of Ferals has formed and are challenging the ways of the block and the leadership of Guard Dog.  The block is nearing a state of civil war and other blocks are worried the violence will spill into their territory.
8	The Slums: This block is a haven for hoarders, scavengers, and riff raff.  Junk is piled high throughout the halls and rooms.  There is electricity on this block, but it shorts out from time to time.  The block smells stale- of sweat, dirt, and hardship.  The citizens of this block work hard and play hard.  They constantly venture into the ruins of Los Angel (and some even further) to find valuable treasures.  Leader: Tinker Tot is an eccentric and eclectic leader.  Playful and joyous, but able to fly into a storming rage without warning, then back to being playful just as quickly.  Tinker Tot loves fiddling with gizmos and gadgets.  The halls of the Slums are filled with Tinker Tot’s devices- some work, some don’t.  Interesting Location: The Sloppy Noodle Shop- Known as one of the most delicious food joints in many blocks.  The noodle shop is run by an ancient and withered Vek called Ren.  Interesting Problem: One of Tinker Tot’s devices works too well and has caused a rift to open in realty, connecting another dimension to this one.  What sort of beings will come through?  What will happen if someone travels through?