Land of the Spirits- Group 2, Session 3 Recap- The Shadows of Bibble Babble

Last session the group decided to help out a cute race of Spirits, called Sbildams, that were plagued by evil creatures at night.

Sbildams

 

Shadow Creature…Spoooky

The group waited at night to encounter these baddies and fought quite a few of them off.  When the fight was over the group went to examine the bodies of the shadow creatures only to find the bodies of several Sbildams…  The group knew some evil magics were at work here.  Suddenly it began to rain and a cackle carried on the wind and dozens of white orb eyes appeared in the darkness.  The group made a run for it and took refuge in a turnip house.  Thus we ended the session there.

Fighting Against the Darkness

Players

Nate- Heithcliff, Clan of Fang Hexer

John- Bunq, Barnlig Spirit Master

Not Present: Fletch- Clan of Tusk Shaman

Omar- Brigam, Human Shielded Warrior (NPC’d his character)

Gene- Unnamed, Human Ravager (NPC’d his character)

Liam- Ary, Clan of Fang Hunter

We were light on people who could play, so I NPC’d Omar and Gene’s characters to help Nate and John with everything.  

The group took a look in the house and saw the front door and two windows.  Immediately the creatures outside started banging/scratching on the door and windows.  There was a thudding and grunting coming from a full-sized wardrobe at the south end of the room.  The opened it and saw a human gagged and tied.  His massive two-handed axe against the back wall of the wardrobe.

Nate removed his gag and Unnamed explained that he had arrived in Bibble Babble the previous evening and was welcomed by the Sbildams; however, as the sun set he saw a change come over the Spirits and they transformed into shadowy creatures.  They jumped him and eventually overpowered him.  He woke up stuffed into the wardrobe.  He vowed to help the group figure out what was going on.  They untied him and he gathered his gear.

With that the door burst open and a large ball of shadow rolled into the room.  Uncurling itself was a giant worm.

 Nate, Omar, and Gene engaged the worm while John ran around the room and blocked the windows with a spice shelf/pan cupboard on the east end of the turnip house and a bed on the west.  One shadow creature made it through the window before John could get the bed into place.  The fight was pretty quick, but Gene and Omar took a few hard knocks.

Aside: We decided to try the variant armor rules from Additional Things for Black Hack.  I wanted to see if I liked it better for Land of the Spirits.  John and Nate really seemed to like it.  

Aside 2: The challenge with the armor variant is remembering to roll the Usage Die to see if the armor is reduced after taking some hits.  Also rolling the Usage Die for ammo, etc.  So I’m pondering not using Usage Die until the end of the session for EVERYTHING.  When the session comes to an end each player rolls their various Usage Die at a Disadvantage to see how/what was consumed and used.  I’m not sure if this will work well, but I’m just thinking of ease/simplicity.  

After the fight the group was able to rest and regain some much needed HP and John was able to gain his spell slots back.  When Nate was on guard he investigated the house and found several items worth taking: a silver dagger, a small shield, a alabaster vase, and a healing potion hidden in the spice rack.

The next morning the group vacated the house to find the village of Bibble Babble completely deserted.  They investigated a few houses and the Spirit Leaders home to no avail.  Nate suggested they look at the trail they had found last session.  They could tell it was more heavily traveled than last night.  With a sigh and a “this is probably a bad idea” resignation the group tromped into the woods.

Into the Woods

The group walked through the woods for nearly an hour before Omar’s character stepped into a trap of quicksand.  The group threw him a rope and as they began to pull him out, were attacked from behind by a group of rodents of unusual size with shadowed eyes. Gene’s character and Nate killed the rodents while John attempted to save Omar, but made little progress until Nate and John could work together.

After walking a little longer the group came across a cave that had a blackish ichor dripping from the walls.  After a few moments the group came across a holy symbol of the Wind spirits- thinking it was the Spirit Leader’s, they scooped it up and put it in John’s backpack.

Walking on the group eventually came across the Spirit Leader laid on a stone slab and encased in a hardened black ichor encasing.  Nate began breaking it off, but made too much noise, bringing a Shadowed Hulk to attack them.

Nate got pounded by the creature, but eventually it was killed- revealing the body of the blacksmith.

With Tygan, the Spirit Leader freed, they decided to continue into the cave.  Tygan offered to take up the rear to guard against attacks from behind and cast Light on his hand.  The group, desperate for help, agreed.

The group traveled through twisting tunnels for another half an hour before hearing the all too familiar chittering to the Shadow creatures in the darkness.  Three of them came rushing at the party from in front of them.  Omar and Nate formed a wall to block them.  Two crashed in to their shields while the third jumped on the shoulders of his comrades and jumped over them and right in front of John.  The group engaged the creatures and heard a squelching noise behind them, but chose to ignore it.

They killed one of the shadowed creatures, but the other two were still going strong.  John felt a blast of cold hit him in the back, suffering damage but shaking of the freezing effect.  He turned around to see that Tygan had transformed into a hideous worm-like creature. His neck, arms, and legs all stretched and gross.

“Fools” he screeched, “I consumed the energy of the Tygan weeks ago and have spent too long transforming the villagers into my minions and consuming their energies to let you interfere!  I will consume you all and use your bones to summon evils into this world!  The Ice Queen promised me ample prey to spread chaos here- and she was not mistaken!”

The fight was hard, and John was knocked unconscious twice during it, but eventually the group killed all three shadow creatures and the Worm Priest.  The fallen shadow creatures were two named NPCs from the village and a nameless one.  They lost Furgen from the General Goods store and Baubles, the oddities shop curator.

With the Worm Priest dead, the ichor on the cave walls vanished almost immediately and they heard the freed villagers coming up from the depths of the cave.

The Aftermath

The villagers were deeply saddened by the lose of Tygan and so many of their friends and family, but were thankful for the help the group gave them- understanding they all would have perished if they had not acted.

The group stayed in the village for several days, resting up and recovering from their wounds.  As a reward, Hyssen the Healer- now the acting village leader- gave the group Tygan’s Spirit Amulet of Air (once per day it would create a wind wall around the wearer and deflect any missile attack aimed at them- 1 hour duration), 50 gold bits, 2 short bows and 2 quivers full of arrows, and replenished their rations and water.

Eventually the group set out on their original course towards the Spirit capital, Nobbelberg, which was still at least 3 or 4 days to the north.  As the group traveled they noticed the trees were becoming muted and drained of color, becoming grey and brown.  The ground was blackish…  frogs croaked, owls hooted, crows cawed, and crickets chipped.  They traveled and were convinced they should see Nobbelberg any time now, but it never came.  The smell of rot and ruin greeted their noses as they pushed through a full-fledged bog.

The group came to a clearing and saw a swampy scene in front of them; a ramshackle village in the distance.  In front of them was a rickety dock with a rowboat and an albino bow with a straw hat and elf ears lying on the dock.

He greeted them and said, “well!  Visitors!  We haven’t had visitors in quite some time.  You fellers ain’t from around here, are ya?”  The group explained that they were headed to Nobbelberg and seemed to have gone off course.  “Well shucks, Nobbleberg is over yonder (pointed NW) about 5 or 6 days, I think.  We ain’t had anyone from there in years.”

Nate asked if the youth had noticed anything strange or odd occurring in the area lately.  The youth smiled, showing yellowed, cracked teeth, “Aw hell guys, this is the town of Grey- there’s always something going on here.   Why don’t you hope in my boat and I’ll take you over.”

“Great” John and Nate both said in  unison.  With that the group hopped into the boat and rowing towards the small village of Grey…

Next time- a tour of beautiful and pleasant Scenic Dunnsmouth.

 

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Land of the Spirits, Group 2, Session 2- Troubles in the Village of Bibble Babble

 

Last session the group saved the Princess of the Moon from a Glemt Ruin and decided to make camp.

Players

Omar- Brigam, Human Shielded Warrior

Liam- Ary, Clan of Fang Hunter

Nate- Heithcliff (it’s actually not this, but this is close and we kept calling him this because his character description was very close to the comic character) Clan of Fang Hexer

John- Bunq, Barnlig Spirit Master

Not Present: Fletch- Clan of Tusk Shaman

 

The session started with the Omar and Nate coming up to the village of Bibble Babble.  All the houses were massive turnips with bushy greens sticking out of the roofs.  The village was quaint and clean.  The group saw the inhabitants, and it was clear that this was a Spirit village.  The creatures had round bodies, mustard colored skin, skinny legs and arms, large bat-like ears with hair sticking out of them.  They wore typical peasant/farmer style clothing.

Omar and Nate walked into the village and saw Liam and John standing and talking to an older looking one of the Spirits in the center of town, next to the only two story turnip.

Both groups listened to the plight of the older Spirit.  “At night, after midnight, creatures of shadow appear in our village and wander the streets.  The bang and scratch on our doors and windows.  None have ever crossed the threshold, but they lurk just outside.  Any who have gone outside to confront these creatures, haven’t been seen since.

Omar said that they would gladly help rid the village of these pests.  And then asked, “What are you?”

The Spirit chuckled, “I’m not surprised you don’t know, human!  It’s not like we have seen many of your kind either.  We prefer to stick to the Twilight Forest and live a quiet life of farming.  I am Sbildam; that is to say we are Sbildams.  (Sbildams are actually Madlibs backwards- I have no idea what popped in my head to do that, but oh well).

Inspiration for the Sbildams- Tony DiTerlizzi

 

Exploring the Village

The group split up and decided to scope out the village of Bibble Babble, looking for clues, relaxing, and restocking on supplies.

Village of Bibble Babble

Omar went to Furgen and Gurden’s merchant house and bartered for a backpack and waterskin and met the bickering couple.

Nate and Liam went to the Left Foot Tavern and met the fun and bumbling Bumble and had one of their many turnip dishes.

Then Liam went and took a nap and Nate explored the village, finding a house that is abandoned and blood on the ground and looking as someone was drug off into the forest (this was the house on the right side of the Blacksmith shop).

John explored the village looking for clues and came across Hyssen the Healer and had a quick conversation.  She also asked if, after this was all over, if John and his friends would be willing to get the venom sacks of a few Nightstalker Spiders for their healing draughts.  Their stores have run dry and she doesn’t dare go attempt to get them alone.

After exploring the group met and exchanged findings and decided it was time to come up with a battle plan for the night.

The Plan

The group went to Furgen’s and bought bells and string and set up some noise traps by the blacksmith and at several other locations.  Liam went to Hyssen the healer and got a healing potion, a smoke cloud potion, and a potion of strength, fully cleaning out her stores of potions.

Omar would take up station near Furgen’s Merchant, Nate hid by the blacksmiths house, Liam hid in the well, and John took up look out on top of the Spirit Leaders two story house.

Best Laid Plans and All That…

The group waited for midnight- which came and went.  Tense, the group wondered what was going on.  Then John heard a noise behind him.

John turned around, “Oh shit.”

Shadow Spirit

A shadowy creature was behind him and took two swipes at him before he could react.

Coming out of the ground were more of these little creatures as well as one large hulking one and a lanky one that floated about a foot and a half off the ground.

Hulk Shadow Spirit

 

Spitting Shadow Spirit

The battle was pretty fierce and lasted 11 rounds.  Omar dropped one of the Shadow Spirits by Furgen’s.  Nate attempted to take on the Spitting Shadow Spirit and got a loogie in his face, blinding him (1 hour duration).  Omar ran over to Nate to defend hi, but got hit with a loogie as well and was blinded.  The Orb of the Moon (gained last session) helped Omar stave off some of the damaging effects of these creatures.  Liam was knocked around pretty good, as was Omar.  John took no damage and was able to get off three spells before failing his INT tests, losing his spell slots.

Liam used the well as cover, gaining Advantage on defense rolls from the two shadow creatures on him.

Eventually all four of Shadow Spirits were dropped, then the Spitting Shadow Spirit, and finally the Hulk Shadow Spirit.  The group gathered Omar and Nate up and surveyed the battlefield and their victory.  John noticed that the blackness of the creatures was evaporating, leaving behind a small figure on the ground with mustard colored skin.  John walked over to the one by Furgen’s and saw with a pang of sadness that it was Bumble, owner of the Left Foot.

This was a fun reveal- the group all had looks of shock and “Oh fuck!” on their faces.  They looked at all the other bodies- all were nameless faceless villagers, except for Bumble.

Aside- I rolled a 1 in 6 chance to have one of the Shadow Spirits be a named PC they had interacted with- and only the first one was.  Then I rolled a d6 for which NPC it would be and got poor Bumble.

The group started frantically asking what they were going to do.  Rain started coming down and a laugh echoed through the forest as more white orbs started appearing throughout the perimeter of the village.  The group started heading towards a turnip house to barricade themselves in for the night.

To Be Continued

Aside Land of the Spirits uses the awesome Black Hack rules and is a playtest for a future DIY RPG Productions publication.

 

Land of the Spirits Group 2 Session 1 Recap- Saving the Princess of the Moon

Yesterday I kicked off a second campaign of Land of the Spirits playtest which uses the awesome Black Hack rules.  I was very excited because this group and I hadn’t gotten to play together in nearly a year due to time constraints, schedules, etc.

Group 1 session one recap and session 2 recap.

Players

Omar- Human Shielded Warrior

Fletch- Clan of Tusk Shaman

Nate- Clan of Fang Hexer

John- Barnlig Twilight Blade

A well-rounded group!

Recently strange happenings have been going on in the land of Náttúraheim (Home of the Spirits); water turned to blood, people were weepy and mopey, food spoiled, animals were found on the roofs of houses, etc.  The races all believed it the work of mischievous Spirits… However on the night before the campaign started, the moon disappeared.  Something was amiss.

The group awoke in a strange and horrific looking room.  Sulfuric steam issued from vents while a thick milky-white mucous dripped from the walls.

The walls of the Glemt ruin

Crouching on a dais above them was a Spirit with the appearance of a goatman.  When the group came to and got their barrings, the goat man spoke.  He introduced himself as Baetram and that he was the guardian of the Princess of the Moon.  He then started sobbing saying that he only dozed off for a moment!  Just a moment, but when he came to the Princess was being dragged by something into these ruins!  When he entered he knew he was in a Glemt ruin!  He knows they hunger for Spirits, so he dare not go any further.

The name Glemt stirred a memory for Omar and John.  Omar recognized them as campfire stories that Spirits have told him while in Ny Berjastad (the human capital).  John recognized them as horror stories based, largely, on fact.  Thousands of years ago the Glemt came and began killing Spirits and absorbing their energy.  He didn’t know how or why they left, but they did.

Baetram pleaded with the group to go rescue the princess!  They asked how they got here and he said he used his magics to bring slumbering heroes to his aid and it worked!  Then the group asked what it was in for them- Baetram shook his head and bleated, “Can you imagine the world with no moon!?  Do you want that!  The moon is sad and will not come back without his wife!”  That was good enough for the group.

Thus the dungeon dive began

Here is the dungeon I created for this

Highlights

Fighting the black oozes was a good opener.  It allowed the players to get the feel of combat, take some damage, lose some armor points, and really see the simplicity of the Black Hack (also getting to try out some of their class/race abilities).

 

When they got to the Glemt Abomination- this freaked them out (yay) and they took a couple of good hits before Omar critically succeeded and dropped her!

The Glemt boss fight was fun!  It emerged from the shadows and threw a vial of green choking smoke.  It took two rounds for them to emerge from the fog to get to the Glemt.  The Glemt got two attacks a round and could cast terrify each round on a single target (I changed it from once per day, it just felt right to me).  The group took quite a bit of damage from the Glemt and Omar and Fletch spent time running away from the creature after failing their WIS test against the terrify effect.  Omar canceled it by channeling his spirit animal (the bull)- immediately canceling a fear effect 1x/day.

Finally Omar landed the killing blow on the Glemt.  The group had four pathways to explore- they decided to rest and inspect a shelf with several potions on it.

The group got vials of the following: choking gas, 2 healing potions, invisibility, and gaseous form.

After getting some sleep the group ventured down path three and found a pit with a flute in it.  John rescued it and it played a soft wavering note when in his hand.  He bagged it for later.

Then they went down path two and found… the Princess of the Moon!

She thanked them for rescuing her and begged to be taken from this place.  She whispered she never expected to see an actual Glemt!

They decided to venture down path 1 to investigate.  They didn’t detect any traps on the door and John opened it.  He failed is CON save and in a flash of light was reduced to ash.  The group sat there stunned by the sudden death of their new comrade.

Aside: The group succeeded in not finding traps, but this was a magical trap and I had noted earlier that only Detect Magic would find it…  So it sucked from the group- but it also highlights that the world is not built around the group.  I also had a note that the door could be safely deactivated with the touch of the hand of the Glemt… So John rolled a new character.  He stuck with Barnlig and is now a Spirit Master.  

The group made it outside the dungeon after that.  The princess thanked them for rescuing her and gave them her scepter, the Orb of the Moon.  When held it gave off a glow like a torch and protected the wielder from creatures and Spirits made up of shadow and darkness (gives Advantage on abilities of those creature types).

The Princess thanked them and then faded away.

Baetram apologized again for involving the group in his blunders and offered them a bag of 10 acorn-sized seeds.  He explained that that when thrown on the ground roots and vines will shoot up and hinder an enemy (movement slowed, and characters gain advantage on attacks. Lasts for 2d3 rounds before drying up). Baetram told the group that it is about 3 days travel from Nobbrelberg, the capital of the Spirits.  They should make their way there and see if there is a quicker way to get home to Ny Berjastad.  When they get to the capital they should seek out his friend, Jurfen- he’s a Spirit that owns a tavern and bathhouse called Steam of the Wyrm in the Dream District.  He may have some work or information.

With that he also faded away.

The group decided to make camp for the night and rest up.  As the group set up camp a light appeared in the night sky; looking up they saw the moon was back.  The trees of the Twilight Forest parted, allowing the group to see the beautiful full moon.  The Man in the Moon appeared, offered the group a smile and a wink and faded away.

We leveled up (the group liked how simple this was as well) and we left off.

It was a great session and everyone loved the simplicity of The Black Hack!  This is two groups that have really enjoyed this system!

Land of the Spirits Session Recap 2 and Switching to Black Hack

Yesterday the group continued their adventures in The Land of the Spirits.  Last session we ended with the group listening to Chieftainness Vynn explain how her son has been switched out for a Changeling and taken by a dark man for nefarious purposes.  She commands all in Ny Berjastad to aid in finding her child.  The only clues they have is that the dark man was taking her child into the Twilight Forest.

We started this session by my handing out new character sheets.  I had converted their characters to The Black Hack.  I had decided that while I was enjoying the rules I was creating (a mix of White Box and 5e), David Black basically did just that and it wasn’t as wordy as mine.

The Black Hack really fits what I was going after rules-wise.  Also it fits well with my players styles.  They don’t want to get bogged down by rules, or have to remember a crap ton of modifiers, or read lengthy spell descriptions, or track experience.  They want to come over, drink some beer, and play.  So I handed them their character sheets and their class Black Hack’d.  The other thing I did was switch the races to Race as Class (I’ll post those later), giving them three options each.

The Party

Angie- Clan of Fang Assassin

Emma- Clan of Fang Hunter

Nate- Human Fighter (Ranger)

Amelia- Barnlig Spirit Master

Tyler- Clan of Tusk The Wall

The session started with the group leaving the safety of Ny Berjastad and traveling from the Riverlands into the Twilight Forest.

Day 1

The group came across a human-looking woman sitting by a tree.  When they got closer they realized that she was a spirit with skin made of bark and leaves for hair.  The spirit stood up, looking apprehensive.  She backed towards a tree and started melding with it.

 

“What are you doing in the forest?  Your kinds don’t come here often.

Angie replied that they are looking for a lost human child.  Amelia’s character started towards the Spirit and made some lewd, brash comment.  The Spirit looked taken aback and looked at Angie, “Beware the Blood Moon Fern- if you sleep near them, they will steal your life from you.” and then melded into the tree.

Tyler hit the tree with his axe to see what would happen… The forest around them seemed to rumble and moan, but nothing else occurred.

The group made camp and slept far away from any Blood Moon Ferns.

Day 2

Nate got the group turned and lost the tracks of their prey.  They came across three hulking figures assaulting a slender looking female, whom they had pushed on the ground and were poking with large fingers.

The group hatched a plan to have Emma lead the monster towards the rest of the group who would be lying in wait.  Emma took a pot shot at the monsters and ran into the forest.  With a roar, all set after her.

The plan worked.  Angie, being an assassin, got bonus damage for attacking from behind, and Nate and Tyler followed suit and dropped one of the beasts before they were aware of what was happening.

 

Combat was quick and the players enjoyed rolling to attack and dodge (in The Black Hack monsters don’t roll to attack- players roll under their STR or DEX to dodge- if they fail they take damage).  Everyone rolled really well and only Amelia and Emma were struck, their armor absorbing most of the damage.

The other two monsters were dropped after another two rounds of combat.

The group went back to check on the girl.  She was thin, with pale skin, and an ethereal appearance.  Amelia asked if she was ok.  The girl opened her mouth and musical notes, like a flute, issued from her mouth.  Tyler and Emma recognized the language as Elven, but none could speak it.  The girl smiled and vanished into a fog, leaving behind a small crystalline vial filled with a clear liquid.

The group slept that night to regain their strength.

Amelia took first watch- she heard a cough next to her.  Sitting against the tree was an odd looking Spirit.

 

“What brings your kind into the forest?  Rarely I see fleshsy ones.”

Amelia- “I don’t have time for your Spirity stuff!  Leave me alone.”

The creature vanished.

Nates badger Animal Companion took third watch and enjoyed a couple hours of being pet by the Spirit.

During the final watch Angie was visited by the Spirit as well.

They conversed for a few moments, and as the sun began to rise the Spirit said, “Keep traveling- two days to the west and you will come across Meoghl’s lair.  Be wary, for it is a place of evil and great power.”

Day 3

The group came across an area of the forest that was dead or dying.  Strange tubes covered in a milky-white film stretch across the ground, coming in and out of the earth.  The group followed the trail until they came to a burial mound down into the earth, two black iron-wrought doors and the tubing going into the walls beside them.  The area stank with rot and death- the group decided to come back to this location later.

Out of the trees a hideous creature burst from the underbrush

This fight really fucked with the group- it was tough (a 5HD creature), making it really hard to hit with the Powerful Foes rules, but Angie got in a few back attacks and I rolled low on its HP (only 22), so the enemy was dropped.

Glemt Abomination: 5 HD: 3 attacks 2d3, can spit poison at target Nearby- CON test or paralyzed for 1 hour.

The group licked their wounds and rested for the night.

Day 4

The group walked on, the air becoming thicker with malice and magical energy.  Faces appeared on rocks and tree whispering warnings, “Beware…  Bad…  Evil…  Leave.”

Eventually the group came to a clearing and froze at the sight that greeted them.  Bursting from the ground, extending over 100′ in the air was the petrified remains of a great Purple Worm.   Stairs and ladders leading up to the top of the creature.

I’ve been wanting to use this dungeon for a LONG time!!

To be Continued

We left it here.  We had a great time and got a bunch done in 2 1/2 hours of play (we started late and I had to talk about Black Hack at the beginning).  I decided to let the group level up after this session rather than waiting until after they beat the dungeon (they’ll level up then too).  I wanted to see how they felt about it.

The group loved the simplicity of leveling up in The Black Hack and were excited about seeing their stats increase.

We’ll be playing again in about another 2-3 weeks.

I’ll also be stating to run TBH Land of the Spirits for another group starting on Sunday!

The Riverlands- A Land of the Spirits Territory

Lately I have been posting information on one of the next book projects I have been working on, Land of Spirits (Black Hack’d classes; Fighter Class; Magic User Class; Session One Recap).  I’m really glad people have been digging it and are supportive of the work.

Land of the Spirits is inspired by: Norse fairy tales, vikings, Labyrinth, Dark Crystal, Over the Garden Wall, Child of Light VG, Chrono Trigger VG, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoken, Skyrim VG, etc.

I have been asked a couple times how I will be doing the book.  I plan on doing a map much like Hubris that will have several location and then charts and tables to generate encounters, features, etc.  However I’m not going as heavy as Hubris (smaller tables, not d100).

I figured I’d showcase the Riverlands.

Here is the Hexographer map of Náttúraheim- this is not the finished product.  I will commission art for this.

 

Land of the Spirits

An OSR-style Fantasy Setting

Written by Mike Evans

Land of the Spirits A DIY RPG Productions©, 2016

 Here’s the PDF of this: The Riverlands Territory from Land of the Spirits

The Riverlands (a territory of Náttúraheim)

A land of numerous snaking and twisting rivers stretch as far as the eye can see, merging and weaving together with the Twilight Forest.  The marshy ground squishes under foot, muffling the footsteps of approaching enemies and predators.  The strange ruins of the Glemt (the Forgotten), an ancient and bizarre civilization, dot the landscape, even into the Twilight Forest and the throughout the Lower and Upper Tundra; even the Spirits fear to tread into these structures.  When I was younger I ventured into one, looking for glory and riches, and what befell my comrades and the things I saw still haunt me.

 

Abandoned human settlements can be found on the Riverlands; sad wooden carcasses to remind us of our failed attempts to colonize this land.  The burial mounds of humans and Spirits alike are holy ground and can be found throughout this region.

 

The human city of Ny Berjastad (New Fighting Place) rests at the southern peninsula where the river spills into the ocean.  In the distance the haunted mist-shrouded Island of Tears can be seen; few choose to venture there by choice.

 

The Riverlands are dangerous, yet the safest place for humans- and is full of opportunities for those brave enough to seek riches and glory.

 

Locations

Ny Berjastad

A hundred years ago a large fleet full of those seeking freedom, new riches, and lands in the northern sea set forth from Hilmirstad (Place of the King). After crossing the dangerous, turbulent seas of the Great Divide, the expedition sailed into the uncharted waters of Náttúraheim (Home of the Spirits).  Over a month they sailed, encountering many extraordinary Spirits, but were losing hope of finding land.

 

Eventually the fleet crashed on the shores of the Island of Tears; many people drowned and many more were driven mad and killed by the malicious beings that call the isle home.  Only a few ships made birth in this new land and the survivors set to building the foundation of this now great capital from the remains of the broken fleet.

 

Years passed and many more died, either at the hands of the Spirits, the frigid winters, or the constant raids by the Clan of Fang or the Clan of Tusk. However, we are cut from the axe and bred for battle and fought back and survived.

 

Over the decades the head of the clans came together and formed the Council of the Wyrm and the most proven warrior was anointed High Chief; as time has passed an uneasy truce has been forged with the Clan of Fang and Clan of Tusk. Through the leadership of the High Chiefs, Ny Berjastad has prospered.

 

We had not seen any ships from our homeland in ninety five years; the expedition was deemed a costly failure and was forgotten about until a prophet of King Wulfgard had visions of Ny Berjastad. In the past five years several landings have been made, bringing goods, merchants, news, free-peoples, slaves… and soldiers. King Wulfgard, ruler of Hilmirstad (Place of the King), resents our own council and is covetous of our ruler, Chieftainess Vyn’s, power, calling her a false ruler.  Hostilities are building between the nations of the Old World and New as King Wulfgard demands fealty from us, and his men stir up troubles with the Spirits and clans.  Those loyal to the king have established a small hold in the entrance of the bay, Wall of Wulfgard.

 

Ny Berjastad sits at the mouth of the Riverlands, with boat district, Wharfhiem, closest to sea.  Longhouses stretch out towards the center of the city to the Mudflats, home of the market & warrior pit, and Vaskr Keep (Bravery Keep), home to the High Queen and meeting place of the Council of the Wyrm.

 

Rumors/Hooks

1. The son of Chieftainess Vynn has been switched out by a Changeling. They must find the child and return him to his bed to his bed in a week or the child will be transformed into a Spirit forever.
2. It is whispered that assassins lurk the streets of Ny Berjastad, sent by King Wulfgard to dispatch Chieftainess Vynn and the Council of the Wyrm.
3. Nearly every night for a fortnight the body of a human has been found, mangled and mutilated. Citizens believe a malignant Spirit wanders Ny Berjastad at night, hunting them.
4. The Festival of the Sun is about to commence and Spirits, Clan of Tusk, Clan of Fang, and Barnligs begin appearing to partake in the celebrations. There is a sense of excitement in the air, but tensions with the humans at the Wall of Wulfgard are high and problems may arise.
5. A strange black obelisk with ten carved faces appeared in the Mudflats three days ago. As the sun rose this morning the faces awoke and began to sing of the approaching Everfrost.

 

Island of Tears

This island nearly destroyed all on the expedition from Hilmirstad (Place of the King); constantly shrouded in mist with the wails of the dead and malicious spirits hanging on the air. I have not set foot on the isle’s fetid soil, and few have, for it is a cursed place. I have heard tales told by Spirits that the Glemt practiced dark magics and experiments on the isle. Twisted trees, a single mountain peak, and a decrepit keep are all that have been glimpsed by human eyes.

 

Rumors/Hooks

1. Ominous clouds hang over the Island of Tears as thunder, lightning, and hail pelt the island. The wails of undead and malignant Spirits travel over the water.
2. An expedition of warriors from Ny Berjastad left to finally discover the secrets of the island. It has been three weeks and there has been no word.  Many want to send another group to find their brethren and bring them home.

 

Isle of Tears Encounters
Roll 1d10	Result
1	2d6 Zombies/skeletons (these undead are the unfortunate men and women who died in the original expedition crash on the island)
2	1d3 plague rats
3	1 wraith (20% chance that the wraith is guarding an entrance to a Glemt ruin)
4	1d3 gargoyles (within 50’ of these gargoyles there is a roll 1d3: 1) treasure; 2) entrance to a ruin; 3) ancient book with an insidious ritual)
5	2d3 carnivorous snails
6	1d3 giant centipede
7	1d4 giant bats
8	1 banshee (this woman was a Seiðr who died in the original expedition crash, her bitterness at dying has transformed her into a spiteful undead creature)
9	1d4 ghouls (there is a 15% chance that one of the characters will recognize one of the ghouls as a friend from Ny Berjastad who went missing over 3 months ago).
10	1 mummy (the mummy wears a necklace that is a powerful magical artifact).

 

Croak Village

Humans are not welcome in this village filled with frogmen and toadmen.  These amphibious heathens practice strange and cruel rituals and have used more than one human or Spirit as ingredients for these dark rites.  Oftentimes Crocs, humanoid crocodiles, serve as thugs and guards to the Grand Croak, an obese and sinister frogman.

 

Rumors/Hooks

1. Drums and chanting can be heard issuing from Croak Village. There seems to be more Crocs, and frogmen and toadmen milling about the area than usual.
2. The waters boil and churn in the bay by Croak Village. After days of the sea thrashing and large swells, a gargantuan toad, the size of a dragon, emerges from the waters.

 

Gurden

Gurden is a small community that has transformed the marsh into farmland and lies a few days upriver from Ny Berjastad. Gurden was founded by those seeking a different life than that in the capital; these men and women are not warriors, and many have not once stained their axe in battle.  Gurden offers trade with Ny Berjastad and with the Clan of the Tusk.

 

Many in Ny Berjastad believe a powerful Seiðr protects Gurden from attack and interlopers.

 

Rumors/Hooks

1. The townsfolk of Gurden have all been put into a deep enchanted sleep by a Spirit. Now the town is being occupied by strange spirits that are comprised of a smoke-like body and a strange porcelain-like mask that changes based on their emotions.
2. A giant spectral wolf was seen racing across the night sky. It caught the moon and ran away with it, into the distance of the horizon in the Twilight Forest.  The sky over Gurden has been in perpetual darkness since.

 

Friðrhiem (Home of Peace)

Friðrhiem is the Barnlig capital and a haven for spirits that rests on the edge of the Riverlands and Twilight Forest.  I have had little experience with Barnligs and little patience for their sweet and understanding manner.  That said, even I am in awe of their connection with the Spirit World.  Many of the structures in this town are made from vegetables that have been magically enhanced to be enormous or from massive tree trunks that have been hollowed out, or berms into the earth.  Friðrhiem is ruled by a council of Barnlig elders and overseen by “The Great Wise One”, who is said to be a Barnlig who has merged with a Spirit.

 

Rumors/Hooks

1. A circus/festival of Spirts has gathered in Friðrhiem. Entertainment, enchantments, and celebrations abound.  Barnlig are hoping to create a stronger bond between the various Spirit clans, the Clan of Tusk, Clan of Fang, and humans.  While delegations are arriving from all over Náttúraheim, there are rumors and fear of something dark and sinister brewing beneath the surface.
2. The Great Wise One has become ill, his mind slipping. In his dementia, the Great Wise One cast a spell that opened a rift to the Shadowed Realm, allowing malignant Spirits to spill forth into Friðrhiem.

 

The Honored Home

This burial home is the resting place of all bodies that were recovered of those who perished in the original expedition to this strange new world. I myself have walked the halls paying honor to my ancestors.  The halls are delved from the earth and reinforced with wood and iron. Priests guard the mound, keeping robbers out and the spirits at rest.  High Priest Sygfurd is highly respected, even for an Ergi, keeps home here with a small shrine built to honor the ancestors and the spirit world.

 

Rumors/Hooks

1. The wall in part of the burial chambers collapsed, revealing a Glemt burial ruin. Several undead spill out of the ruin, awakening the dead of the Honored Home, and are moving towards the surface.
2. High Priest Sygfurd wishes to conduct a Spirit ritual that will allow him to speak with the great ancestors. He hopes to discover deeper meaning for the destiny of the humans of Ny Berjastad.  However, the Spirits are agitated about a human casting this sacred ritual.

 

Place of Bones

These Glemt ruins are made of jagged pitted metal and are the color of bones that have been bleached by the sun.  Stinking, yellowish clouds of smoke still billow out of Place of Bones, causing the air to become a thick, choking miasma.  Several adventures and warriors, including my brother, have delved into Place of Bones seeking treasures and glory; none have returned.

 

Hooks/Rumors

1. There are Glemt are still active in these ruins, they have become deranged due to isolation and turning to other sources of energy other than spirit. Several groups of human warriors that have ventured into the ruins; all that have ventured inside have emerged transformed into a hideous monstrosities.
2. Monstrosities begin spilling out of the Place of Bones, capturing Spirits, animals, and humans alike, dragging them back to the ruins. Increased amounts of thick gouts of smoke billow from the ruins.

 

Portal of Gurm

These strange relics of an ancient age of spirits should be approached warily, at best.  Often these portals will transport you into a new place of existence, or simply transform you into another creature!  The Portal of Gurm connects to the Portal of Ferm in the Twilight Forest.  These linked portals allow quicker travel to the capital of the Spirits, Nobbrolberg; the Ivory City between existences, instead of taking the lengthy (and often brutal) travel between the capital and Ny Berjastad.  Each of these portals have specific conditions that must be met to be accessed.  The Portal of Gurm and Ferm can only be accessed on the night of the full moon after a feast has been offered to the Guardian Spirit of Dreams.

 

Rumors/Hooks

1. The Guardian Spirit of Dreams is found dead and drained of energy in front of the portal. A Spirit Naga has entwined itself around the portal, siphoning the energy out of it.
2. An odd thing happens during the feast being offered for travel through the portal. No one is sure what it is, however it has caused another portal to be opened into the underground realm of Náttúraheim.

 

Wall of Wulfgard

The Wall of Wulfgard is a fortress built over the last couple of years to house the soldiers, sages, and merchants that arrive from the Old World, Hilmirstad.  Tensions are extremely high between those who live in Ny Berjastad and the Wall of Wulfgard.  The legion commander, Grugen Wolfcall has little patience or acceptance of Ny Berjastad’s rejection of King Wulfgard’s decree that we should fall into his reign.

 

Rumors/Hooks

1. Several more ships have arrived from Hilmirstad over recent months, carrying troops, weapons, and materials. Workers are expanding the Wall of Wulfgard at a rapid pace.
2. The sounds of celebration can be heard over the bay. It is rumored that King Wulfgard himself has arrived in Náttúraheim to claim this land under his rule and to declare war on Ny Berjastad and the Spirits.

 

The Riverlands Charts and Tables

 

Interesting Feature
Roll 1d12	Result
1	Glemt ruin constructed out of pitted stone; resembles massive hunched over Glemt.  No Glemt remain, but a clan of humans too refuge here and have been turned feral and savage.  There are several pieces of Glemt technology within the halls of this ruin.
2	Four small streams converge in a swirling pattern to create a powerful vortex.
3	Small farming community with 5+2d12 humans and 1d4 Barnlig(s).  They grow (roll 1d6): 1) wheat; 2) mushrooms; 3) potatoes; 4) corn; 5) whatever they can to make alcohol; 6) corn.
4	Burial mound of spirts from over a thousand years ago.  Restless undead spirits roam the burial mound, attacking those foolish enough to enter.  The burial mound has a massive center chamber and 2d4+1 rooms and houses a powerful magic item.
5	Burial mound of humans of expedition to explore Riverlands.  The survivors built the burial mound before returning to Ny Berjastad.  The burial mound has a small center chamber with 1d6 rooms.  Much of the top of the chamber has collapsed and the rooms have become filled with ankle to knee deep cold, fetid water.  The finely crafted battle axe of a brave warrior rests here.  As does (roll 1d6): 1) a rune of a 2nd level spell; 2) jewelry worth 50 gold bits; 3) a saber made of silver; 4) a staff that can store 4 mana points; 5) a tapestry of the history of a long forgotten clan; 6) a magic item.
6	Abandoned human settlement- there are some useful mundane items to be found here as well as a strange fragment of black rock that throbs and hums when held.
7	An outcropping of mushrooms, in the center is a Fungoid Watcher (pg XX).  He is watching over the small grouping of mushrooms.
8	A group of stones, roughly 8ft high and 4ft wide, form a circle.  Within the stone circle marble table surrounded by fairy ring of mushrooms; on the table is a silver knife etched in runes.  This is a sacred meeting place for spirits.
9	A small village of Clan of the Tusk.  The village is (roll 1d6): 1) contaminated by a strange curse- at night the inhabitants turn into crazed, mindless boar-beasts; 2) exiles that challenged the last clan leader; 3) secret worshippers of the Glemt- a hidden ruin is nearby; 4) peaceful farmers; 5) guardians of a secret treasure; 6) an expansion colony sent by the chief to establish more land in the Riverlands- they will be cold/hostile to humans.
10	An ancient meeting place for spirits.  The ruin is filled with traps, beautiful art, and 1d3 powerful artifacts.  The place is now home to a Spirit Naga and her thralls.
11	An ancient forgotten burial mound over two thousand years old.  It is filled with thousands of human bodies.  How can this be?
12	A Glemt ruin filled strange technology and spirits that have been transformed into bizarre horrors.  There are Glemt that have remained asleep for all this time; they will awaken should anyone begin interfering with the operation of the ruin.

 

Riverlands Complications
Roll 1d8	Result
1	Soggy ground hinders movement, reducing it by half.
2	Raging river must be crossed. Slows travel by 1 day.
3	Terrible weather for season (I.E. snow, blistering heat, torrential downpour, etc.) forces group to seek shelter for 1d6 days.
4	Ground in area has flooded, halting movement forward for 1d3 days.
5	Soggy ground hinders movement, reducing it by one quarter.
6	Thick vegetation hinders movement, reducing it by half.
7	Rock outcroppings cause tumbles, scrapes, and cuts. Movement reduced three quarters and Saving Throw or suffer 1d6+1 damage.
8	Bizarre twister forces group to seek shelter. Slows travel by 1 day.

 

Encounters
Roll 1d20	Result
1	3d4+1 Goblins (for every five goblins, one is riding a worg or a dire chicken)
2	2d2 Zombies/skeletons (15% chance caster that summoned them is present)
3	1d6 Bugbears (if there are 4 or more rolled there is a 4HD caster present)
4	2d3 Giant Spiders
5	2d4 Gnolls (25% chance one is a caster)
6	2d3 Harpies (10% chance guarding something in their nest)
7	1d4+1 Hobgoblins (20% chance they have caught a creature to eat, torture, force into slavery, etc.)
8	3d4+1 Kobolds
9	4d4 Giant Rats
10	1d4 Worg (if 4 are present, they are led by a White Wolf)
11	White Wolf (10% chance an evil Druid caster is aligned with the creature, level 1d4)
12	1 Wraith (5% chance opening to plane of the Spirits is nearby).
13	1 Shambling Mound (may not be hostile towards characters unless they are defiling nature or have fire)
14	Will-o-wisp (Lyktgubbar) (this spirit will make the sounds of a female in peril in the distance.  Will attempt to lure characters into a bog to attack)
15	Water Weird
16	3d4 Stirges
17	1d4 Giant Bats
18	2d3 Carnivorous Snails
19	1d3 Giant Centipedes
20	1 Spirit (generate Spirit, pg XX)

 

Specific Encounters
Roll 2d8	Result
2	Feurgal, a human trader, is returning from NAME HERE in the Twilight Forest.  Accompanied by 1d3 warriors. Has several goods for sale. There is a 15% chance that Feurgal has a magical item.   While in the Twilight Forest Feurgal saw- roll 1d4: 1) elves dancing around a large living tree; 2) a Clan of the Tusk hunting party is searching for a member of their village that has become corrupted; 3) a massive shadowy creature consuming the energy of spirits; 4) a small Fungoid village.
3	A hunting party of Clan of the Fang. They were attacked by a ferocious creature they had never before encountered (a living Glemt); most of the party is dead. Several are severely injured.
4	A lone Spirit sitting on a rock in the middle of a pond, humming. It knows the location of an ancient Spirit burial mound, but will only give up the location if it is given 2d4 new rocks to sing to.
5	A small camp of 3d8 humans. These men have exiled themselves and are building a community. All have are cursed werewolves and have removed themselves from Ny Berjastad. There is a 20% chance a character knows one of these exiles.
6	The head of a giant rock Spirt is patiently waiting for its body to return. One day its body got bored of sitting around and went for a walk.
7	The group has attracted the attention of Nattmara. (pg XX) 1d3 of these Spirits are stalking the group.
8	A Myling (pg XX), is found weeping by a riverbed. She begs for help from one of the characters. The Myling will leap on the back of the first person who shows her compassion.
9	A Spirit wandering the Riverlands. The spirit is a junk collector and has many strange and valuable oddities for sale. Will barter for other strange objects. In his collection he has- roll 1d4: 1) a talking thousand year old caterpillar; 2) a ruby that glows when a person is lying; 3) a bronzed skull (can cast Speak with Dead once per day); 4) a Glemt artifact that transforms into a 1 HD automaton.
10	An ancient, withered Spirit that desires one more adventure into the Ruins of Sleeping Dreams before they disappear forever.
11	Pesta (pg XX), a vile Spirit from Hilmirstad, can be seen in the distance, a trail of spectral bodies float along behind her.  She is heading in the direction of Ny Berjastad- is she carrying a broom or a rake?
12	A gigantic humanoid skeleton that walks on all fours like a dog is marching through the Riverlands.  Its flesh is comprised of emaciated humans and spirts that are conjoined together- some drop off like sloughing skin, to drop on the ground and charge the character.
13	A rumbling dark cloud hovers over the horizon, lightning flashes and thunder booms; red eyes can be seen within the cloud.  A massive humanoid shape can be seen in the cloud when the lightning flashes.
14	A Linnorm has made its lair in a bog.  The air stinks with rot and decay, bones litter the ground and poisonous serpents permeate the area.
15	1d3 Glemt have left their hideout and are actively attacking and collecting spirits for their energy and experiments.
16	A Stone Giant is building a home near a fork in the river, several of the rocks he is building with have a shimmering, shiny metal.

 

 

Land of the Spirits Fighter and Conjurer Black Hack Style

I’ve been working on Land of Spirits for a few months now (in between Starrunner Kit, Hubris, and High Noon), sorting out inspirations, what I want to do, designing classes, races, etc.

I really wanted to go with a merge between White Box and what I dig from 5e (here is the Fighter class and Magic User). Recently David Black released the Black Hack and I really enjoy it (I’ve been doing posts about it for the last two weeks).  Anyways, David Black did an awesome job and it’s a more streamlined version of what I was planning on doing- so I’m seriously contemplating using Black Hack instead of continuing on nailing out my own mechanics (there will be one or two things I add, but not much).

So I figured I’d show the classes of Land of Spirits Black Hack’d here.

Fighter

Fighters excel at combat and prefer to on the frontline of battle. Fighters use their prowess of weapons and keen senses to devastate an enemy and take them down quickly.  A fighter is able to mow through enemies quickly, making them a formidable and deadly killing machine.

 

Class Abilities

 

Starting HP: d10 + 4HP

Per Level/Resting: 1d10

Weapons & Armor: Any and All

Attack Damage: 1d8 / 1d6 Unarmed or Improvising

 

SPECIAL FEATURES

Once per hour, whilst in combat, a Warrior can regain d8 lost HP.

As part of their action a Warrior can make 1 attack per level.

Choose one Specialization, see below.

 

LEVELING UP

See option in Specialization

 

Specializations

Duelist

Duelists are highly trained warriors able to fight with finesse and defensively while wielding two one-handed weapons; their ability to deflect a foe’s attacks has made them the stories of legend.

 Parry: The Duelist knows how to deflect a person’s attack by fighting defensively.  When a Duelist fights in this manner as a full action, duelist rolls Advantage to avoid an enemy’s melee  attacks. The duelist takes no other actions.

Two-weapon Fighting: The Duelist is able to wield a light weapon in their off-hand, gaining a +2 to damage without suffering +2 to the attack roll.

LEVELING UP

Roll to see if attributes increase, roll twice for STR or Dex

 

Ranger

Rangers are huntsman and trackers comfortable in the wilds of nature; their keen eyes able to spot game, water, or ground to make a safe camp quickly.  Rangers form a deep bond with an animal of the wilds who serves as a loyal companion.

Animal Companion: Rangers start play with a trusted animal companion.  Roll 1d8: 1) arctic fox; 2) hawk; 3) boar; 4) lynx; 5) wolf; 6) bear dog; 7) wolverine; 8) badger

If the animal companion dies the ranger can attempt to bond with a new one after one week of mourning.  They must go in the wilds and attempt to coax the animal to them.  A single ST must be passed for this to succeed (treat as a background/class ability for TN).

At 10^th level a Ranger is able to tame a brown bear as an animal companion, should they choose.

Survivalist: Rolls with Advantage when performing tasks in nature such as finding food, tracking, identifying plants and animals, hiding or moving silently, etc.

  LEVELING UP

Roll to see if attributes increase, roll twice for STR or Wis

Ravager

Ravagers are vicious combatants known for their ferocity and brute-force.  Where other Fighters may use finesse, the Ravager swings wildly and uses their devastating blows to punish and take down an enemy.

Juggernaut: When a Ravager is using a two-handed weapon they +2 to damage due to the ferocity of their attacks, but do not suffer the +2 to their attack roll.

Thick Skinned: A Ravager does not fear death or pain.  At 1^st level they ignore 1 point of damage (even from magical sources).  At 5^th level this is increased to 2 points of damage.

LEVELING UP

Roll to see if attributes increase, roll twice for STR or Con

 

Skald

Skalds are battle hardened fighters who tell stories of old about bravery, victory, and honor, inspiring their allies or terrifying their enemies while in battle.  A Skald can elevate a pauper to a prince, or bring a chief to his knees with but a few words.

Inspire: The Skald bellows stories of their ancestors and past victories to inspire an ally within 60’, spurning them to greater heights.  This speech takes one round to accomplish.   At the end of the speech the ally gains Advantage on a roll of their choosing within the next 10 minutes.

Terrify: The skald speaks of ill-omens, bad-tidings, and of vengeance and horror, causing unsettling fear in their enemies through the power of their words in a Nearby area.  The Skald must successfully test their Charisma for each group of creatures they are attempting to rattle, adding the creature’s HD to the roll . A GM will determine which creatures are in any particular group.  Creatures that are Terrified by the Skald must spend all their movement (and convert actions to movement) to move away from the Skald for 2d4 Moments after being Terrified.

LEVELING UP

Roll to see if attributes increase, roll twice for STR or Chr

 

Vagabond

Vagabonds live on the fringes of society and have learned to fight to stay alive.  Vagabonds roam around and pick up many handy skills and are known for their uncanny luck and unscrupulous fighting tactics.

Roll with Advantage when testing DEX to avoid damage or effects from traps and magical devices.

Rolls with Advantage when attacking from behind and deals 2d6 / 2d4 + the Vagabond’s level damage.

Rolls with Advantage when performing delicate tasks, picking pockets, climbing, hearing sounds, moving silently, understanding written languages and opening locks.

LEVELING UP

Roll to see if attributes increase, roll twice for STR or Dex

 

Shielded Warrior

Shielded Warriors are masters of defense, using their trusty shield to deflect and absorb an enemy’s attack.  Shielded Warriors are able to stand as a wall against onslaught, survive a vicious attack, and still keep fighting.

Shield Bash: The Shielded Warrior is able to wield their shield as a weapon and make an attack with it instead of their weapon. A small to large target that is successfully hit takes damage and is stunned for 1 round.

Tower Shield: A shielded warrior knows how to use a tower shield effectively.  Normally a person can only wield a tower shield.  A knight can wield one and a 1 handed weapon effectively.  A Shielded Warrior cannot perform a shield bash while wielding a tower shield.

Shielded Warrior: If a Warrior fails a STR or DEX test and would be dealt damage from an attack, they can opt to sunder (destroy) their shield – if they have one equipped – and ignore the damage.

LEVELING UP

Roll to see if attributes increase, roll twice for STR or Dex

Conjurer

Conjurers are a strange lot, able to manipulate the powerful energies of the spirits, twisting them into strange and devastating spells.  Female Conjurers are called Seiðr, and are held in weary, and also often high, regard.  Male Conjurers are called Ergi and are held in some distrust as magic is considered unmanly.  Many Ergi hide their tattoos and ability to cast magic until they are around those they trust or a dire situation arises.  There are Ergi that are unashamed of their abilities and have no thoughts on the taboos that society puts on them.

 

Class Abilities

Starting HP: d6 + 4HP

Per Level/Resting: 1d6

Weapons & Armor: Any weapon and no armor

Attack Damage: 1d4 / 1 Unarmed or Improvising

SPECIAL FEATURES

Roll with Advantage when testing INT to avoid damage or effects from spells or magical devices

Choose one Specialization, see below.

 

LEVELING UP

See option in Specialization

 

Schools of Magic: A Conjurer chooses a specialization at level 1.  Once this choice is made, it’s permanent.

 

Tattoos: Magic spells are tattooed on the flesh of the Magic User.  The Magic User need not see the tattoo to cast the spell, but pulls from the connection to the ink in the flesh and the magical world, almost like a tether or string that binds the two together.

 

Starting Spells

Conjurers start with a large spellbook containing a total of 1d4+2 spells from the Level 1 and 2 Spell lists.

Rituals

Any spell can actually be turned into a ritual and stored in a pendant or ring to be cast at a later date. A person can only have one item tied to them at a time.  Rituals take a number of hours equal to their level to cast and require special ingredient and 1 or more people. The main caster rolls under their Intelligence.  Each servant assisting in the ritual lowers the roll result by 1 (up to a max of 10 servants).

Should spell failure occur while casting a ritual something weird/terrible happens (up to the GM to determine this).

Anyone can cast a ritual, not just a Magic User, however they do not receive Advantage on the roll whereas Magic Users do. This is to highlight how scheming nobles or power hungry peasants foolishly dabble in magic.

 

Specializations

 

Sorcerer

Sorcerers focus on arcane arts; bewitching the senses, casting powerful illusions, or raining fire down on their enemies.  Their ability to sense magic and their bond with their animal familiar gives them an edge in the world of magic.

 

Summon Familiar: The sorcerer gains a familiar.  Roll 1d12: 1) cat– have Advantage on Dex checks for sneaking; 2) bat– gain echo-sense (cannot be blinded- can detect targets hiding within Close range, but must be concentrating and still); 3) raven– reroll one failed Savings Throw per session; 4) lynx– grow claws and gain attack at class damage; 5) dog– aura of loyalty- retainers are immune to fear effects while Close to you; 6) arctic fox– Increase Dexterity score by +2 (max of 18); 7) pig– gain ability to track with scent, must succeed a Wis check; 8) otter– talented swimmer, gain Advantage on any Str checks for swimming; 9) squirrel- can climb things easily- gain Advantage on Dex rolls ; 10) raccoon– Have Advantage on Dex checks to do sleight of hand style actions; 11) owl– gain dark vision- see in darkness (even magical) up to Far Away; 12) pseudo-dragon- can actually speak not just empathic link to sorcerer, start with an additional level 1 Arcane spell .

A sorcerer gains an empathic link with heir familiar, and their familiar can deliver touch spells for them.  If a familiar is killed the sorcerer is stunned, suffers 3d6 damage, and loses all abilities granted by the creature.  The sorcerer can summon a new one in one month.

LEVELING UP

Roll to see if attributes increase, roll twice for INT or WIS

 

 

Priest

Priests pay homage to the world of the spirits, believing in preserving the memories of their ancestors and beliefs of their people.  While Priests focus on healing, philosophy, and religion, it is not below them to cast devastating spells on their enemies or those who have wronged them.

Speak With Spirits: The priest is able to consult with the spirits and chooses one of two actions: A warning of events or the consequences of an action.  If the priest chooses warning of events, they may choose to reroll a failed save (before the sunrise of the next day).  If the priest chooses consequences of an action, they will find out if an action will have good or bad consequences.  This will be within a 30 minute period of asking.  This lets the priest be prepared for a course of action.

 

LEVELING UP

Roll to see if attributes increase, roll twice for WIS or CHR

 

Druid

Druids are Magic Users who revere their bonds with the spirits and the natural way of life.  They are savage and as ever changing as the very nature they revere.  Druids are able to transform into a natural creature and through bonding with nature have taken on an aspect of the animal.

Animal Shape: The druid is able to transform into a small or medium creature (no larger than a wolf, boar, or cougar, and no smaller than a dog, cat, eagle, etc.) While in this form the druid can track by scent (rolling under Wis with Advantage), move as the creature would (IE. Swim, fly, etc.), gains their ability to breathe (IE. fish or frog can breathe underwater), a bite attack (and possibly claw attacks at a d4 as well- Judges call), gains 4 Armor Points (this does not stack with any other armor- this armor does not refresh with each transformation), and can see in a Far Away radius in the low light conditions.  The druid cannot communicate with other people while in animal form.  This effect lasts for 1 hour.  A druid can change into an animal a number of times equal to their level.

 

LEVELING UP

Roll to see if attributes increase, roll twice for STR or WIS

Land of the Spirits, Available Races and Session 1 Recap

Yesterday we kicked off our Land of the Spirits game.  I went over the races and classes with my players yesterday.

First the races

Tribe of Fang

Claws: Class damage.

Scent: treat as background ability

Keen Eyes: Can see in the dark 30ft and lowlight 60ft.

Agile: Change Dex to 16 if anything less was rolled.

Language: Can speak with other Tribe of Fang or animal lynx is a series of growls and yowls.

 

Tribe of Tusk

Tusks: Class damage.

Hearty: Increase HP by 2d3 at level 1.

Rage: For 1 minute the character gains Advantage to Strength, +2 to attack and damage and Advantage on saves against mild-altering and fear effects but suffers +2 [-2] to AC.  The character also has resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.  After combat the character is exhausted and suffers Disadvantage to all rolls and +2 [-2] to AC until they rest fully for one hour.  This ability can be used once per day.

Language: Can speak with other Tribe of Tusk or animal boars in a series of squeals, grunts, and snorts.

 

Barnlig (means “Childlike” in Norwegian)

The Asura from Guild Wars 2 played inspiration for this race

Strong Mind: Have Advantage on any Savings Throw against Illusions.

Connection to Spirits: Can cast communicate with spirits twice per day.

Iron Will: Change Wisdom to 16 if anything less was rolled.

Session Recap

After I described the races and classes (Fighter and Magic User), the players began rolling attributes.  After an hour we were ready to play.

Here’s what we ended up with:

Angie: Clan of the Fang- Fighter- Vagabond Specialization

Amelia: Barnlig- Magic User- Druid Specialization

Chad: Barnlig- Fighter- Ravager Specialization

Emma (1st time role-playing): Clan of the Fang- Fighter- Warrior Specialization

Nate: Human- Toad Animal Spirit- Fighter- Ranger Specialization

Tyler: Clan of Tusk- Fighter- Shielded Warrior Specialization

Kevin: Clan of the Tusk- Fighter- Duelist Specialization

 

 

The session started with the characters running through the mist-shrouded Riverlands, the ground squishing underfoot, the chilly morning air filling their lungs.  Accompanying them was an old friend, and mentor to Tyler, Hurgen- a shielded warrior- and their friend Yssil- a bald cowardly page who the group has known for awhile.

The group stops in a clearing, water rushing around them, when a large portion of the ground rips open and 20ft long centipede emerges from a sodden hole.

The fight was fast and furious, only Ameila took any damage from the giant insect.  Tyler and Chad bashed into the creature with their weapons, and Kevin scored two hits with his short swords, finishing it off.

The group began tearing the creature apart.  Hurgen congratulated them on a job well done.  “This beast will make a fine meal at the Festival of the Sun!”  Angie cut off one of the beasts poisoned mandibles with the desire to make a shiv out of it.

After a few hours of butchering and cooking some breakfast the group began to hear a croaking noise.  Looking around they saw savage frogmen emerging from one of the nearby streams.  “I smell meeeeeeeaaaaat.” One of them croaked.

The group debated for a moment on whether to fuck some more shit up, let the frogmen have a slice, or tell them to piss off.  In the end Amelia shouted at them, “Get out of here unless you want to end up like the beast!  You can scavenge the leftovers when we are done!”  The frogmen croaked threateningly, but disappeared back into the water, “we won’t forget this, Barnlig…”

With the butchering done the group headed back to the only human city on Náttúraheim (meaing home of the spirits), Ny Berjastad (meaning New Fighting Place).  They saw the longhouses in the distance on the rolling hills.  In the center of the city, on the Mudflats, is a massive colosseum type structure and the only keep in the city, where High Chieftainess Vynn and the Council of the Wyrm reside.

The group saw others from the Clan of the Tusk and Clan of the Fang milling about, excited for the festivities.  When sun fell, the Festival of the Sun was well underway.  Spirits could be seen appearing out of thin air, some translucent, others fully solid.  These creatures hail from their home plane- able to manifest when they so choose.  Some are a whole race of people, while others are unique; a single, solitary creature.

Tyler, Emma, and Kevin competed in gladiatorial events- with Kevin coming in second- being defeated by the reigning champion, a Clan of the Tusk Ravager named Hogmaster 3000.

Angie performed and hula hooped around the crowd, pick pocketing those she could.  Chad went to a bar and picked up some plot hooks, and Nate shot apples off of people’s heads, but accidentally killed a man- but no one paid any mind- so he looted the body- finding a few gold, silver, and copper bits and a dagger.

The Next Morning

In the early hours there the Warning Horn was blown, sounding the alarm.  The group made their way to the center of town and saw Chieftainness Vynn standing on platform.  “My son has been switched out of his bed by a changeling!  I have slain the beast, but he confessed under torture of cold iron, that he serves a dark master named Meolgh, who is seeking a human to become his proper heir.

 

 

A changeling

One of the queen’s guards tossed the changeling’s severed head onto the muddy ground.  The queen stiffened, “all we were able to get out of the changeling is that my child was taken to west into the Twilight Forest.  You know what is at stake!  We have a week to find my child, return him to his bed, and break the curse of the changeling.  If we fail, my child will be transformed into whatever the Meolgh desires… Gather what you need.  Find my son!”

And with that we ended for the evening.

When we play next time the group will dive into the enchanted woods of the Twilight Forest and attempt to find the son of Vynn.