Fastasy Core RPG: The Alchemist

FANTASY CORE RPG
(c) Jerry Harris, 2012
Published here as Open Game Content.
Fantasy Core PDF 
NPC PDF

NPC Index

The Alchemist

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save
1st	+0	+0	+0	+2
2nd	+1	+0	+0	+3
3rd	+1	+1	+1	+3
4th	+2	+1	+1	+4
5th	+2	+1	+1	+4

Description: The Medieval scientist.  Unlike Wizards, the Alchemist's powers may theoretically be duplicable by anyone, which is why they jealously guard their secrets and discoveries.  Lacking a really firm grasp of physics however, their concoctions success tend to be a bit iffy.  The most reliable of their kind work for kings and rulers.  The rest tend to be quacks and con men.  Alchemists may go up to 5th level.  Those who continue in the profession too long tend to end up either getting lynched for failed products or blowing themselves up.

● These people do not adventure, but may sell goods to those who do or contract out others to gather materials.  What most Alchemists are searching to create or find is the Philosopher's Stone, a semi-mystical item that would allow the creation of flawless concoctions.

Hit Die: d6.

Prime Abilities: Int.

Subprime Abilities: Str, Wis, and Con.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Alchemists are proficient with daggers and light crossbows. They are proficient with leather armor, but not with shields.  Realistically they will only ever be a liability in combat, which is why they try to avoid it, but sometimes they are required to be on site to activate their mixtures or to gather materials.

Standard Starting Gear: 5+1d10 GP, pack, 3 days rations, waterskin, 2 useful items, Coded book of Concoctions, parchment, quill and ink, dagger.

Create Alchemical Concoctions

● An Alchemist's Concoctions will work at a rate of Int bonus + ½ level, DC 12 for minor concoctions, DC 18 for more potent ones.  Failed Concoctions may work initially only to suddenly go out or have ill effects shortly thereafter.

● Can typically create 1 Concoction per hour.  Generally Int bonus + ½ level Concoctions per day.  They will last no longer than a week.

● Their book of Concoction formulas is usually coded.  Understanding any of their formulas spells would require a DC 18 Int check and an hour per formula.  If the Alchemist’s cipher method is known, DC 12.  A Comprehend Language spell could also interpret it, but a DC 12 Int will still be required to understand it.  See Alchemist Lab entry below. 

Sample Alchemist Wares

Baseball Journal MLB Rewind 11-17-12

8-11-12

Since Fox Sports has for no reason decided to take a two-week vacation from baseball coverage, I've been getting fix via ESPN radio. One game featured the Braves abusing Johann Santana of the Mets. According to the commentary, Johann's no-hitter this year has likely ruined his arm for the rest of the season. I'm sure he's not having fun and would like to be playing on a team that is contending, and his arm and career may even be over. But hey, you're rich (or you should be unless you're really bad with money), and instead of being remembered as a good pitcher, you're the guy that finally gave the Mets a no-hitter (especially considering all the great Mets pitchers there have been). I'm thinking, it was worth it.

Even better, I got to hear the Ranger/Tiger game. One, I got to hear the warm friendly tones of Eric Nadel along with the energetic, impassioned call of Matt Hicks on the Ranger broadcast. [You really can't undersell the importance of a great voice doing a baseball radio broadcast. The best are almost like having a friend who's at the game telling you what's going on.] Two, the Verlander and Derek Holland locked up in a tight pitcher's duel. Ranger rookie, Mike Olt drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth, with two outs no less.


8-18-12

Another week, another perfect game. Nice job by King Felix of the Mariners. I got to see a replay of the final inning. He was dealing, throwing anything on any count. It was the second perfect game at Safeco Field this year and the third no-hitter (that a combined one by multiple Mariner pitchers, the final one was unaware of what was going on until he jumped by his exuberant catcher). It was also the third freaking perfect game against the Rays in four years! These same Rays in tonight's game against the Angels, went down eight runs, only to end up winning 10 - 8. Who can figure this game out?


8-19-12

You know you're not playing well when the other team spots you three errors and you still lose. Not to mention, the Reds are a pretty good team. Yeah, the Cubs had their chances, but it never panned out. They went into the bottom of the ninth tied. Pitch #1, triple into the corner. Pitch #2, single into center. Ball game. Just like that. The Cubs' perspective of the game could best be summed up by the shot of catcher, Steve Clevenger in the dugout afterward, shell-shocked, shaking his head, and talking to himself.


8-20-12

The story of Sunday's ballgames was the epic 19-inning marathon between the Cardinals and the Pirates. Both teams were under a powerful compulsion to fight and scrap for every win. The Cardinals have the pride of being the current champions being on the outside, looking in on the playoffs. The Pirates are in only slightly better shape and any extended losing streak now, and there are plenty of teams ready to pass them by.

If the Pirates had an edge in this game in finally coming away with the win, I'd say it was their experience last year. There they were, a winning record and a share of the division lead. Then they had that extra-inning game with the Braves and lost it on a bad call by the ump. The wheels came off and they finished with a losing record again. If anything is motivating this year's team, I think it was last year. [At this point in the season, I really did think that the Pirates were going to at least finish with a winning record. We now clearly know that once again, an extra-long game did them in. The lesson? Just lose these games in the 10th, they're team-killers. 20 freaking years of futility. An entire lost generation of baseball fans in Pittsburgh.]

Fantasy Core RPG: NPC and Variant Classes

FANTASY CORE RPG
(c) Jerry Harris, 2012
Published here as Open Game Content.
Fantasy Core PDF Doc
NPC PDF

Non-Player Character (NPC) Classes
These classes would generally not be viable as on-going player character classes. They're either basically normal people with a gimmick, fundamentally unbalanced, or have some disturbing motivations. As on-going villains or even allies, they could be interesting. They might have some value for players for one-shot adventures or highly limited campaigns. These class descriptions are left a bit vague in places to allow Refs to customize them.

Alchemist: Producers of interesting concoctions
Bard: Entertainers wielding words like daggers
Sorcerer: An untrained, dangerous magic-user
Druid: A mysterious backwoods cult
Druid Spell List
Witch Part 1: Individually, a purveyor of minor magic. Dangerous as a group
Witch Part 2: Covens and potions
Gypsy: Travelling, charismatic traders with thieving and magic skils
Witch Doctor/Village Shaman: Wizards of primitive cultures
Fallen Paladin: Holy warriors corrupted into vile evil
Warlock: Wizards who have delved too deeply into forbidden spells
Urban Cultist: Dangerous assassins with magic powers
     Urban Cultist Spell List
Psychic: Practitioners of the powers of the mind
     Psychic Powers
Variant Classes: Some ideas for other NPC classes
Variant Classes Continued: Some more ideas for NPC classes

Fantasy Core RPG--Demi-Human Endgame

FANTASY CORE RPG
(c) Jerry Harris, 2012
Published here as Open Game Content.


Take note that some of these options are limited, often simply ending in retirement at 10th level. In a game sense, this is the tradeoff for their demi-human abilities. They can be a valuable help to human characters seeking power.

Dwarves will ultimately always return to the Underworld and seek power there, preferably rich and full of glory.

Half-Elves will head to the Otherworld by 10th level, becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the constant aging and death of friends in the mortal world. Only the completion of a very important task will keep them around for a while.

Halfling Burglars usually see themselves set up as good, rich country squires, heading their own estate.

Half-Orcs will usually follow the standard fighter path. But realistically, half-orc will only live to 25 at most. By 10th level, they are old and seeking a worthy final battle to die in.

Tieflings, by 10th level, usually find their mortal bodies being degenerated by their infernal nature. Only the completion of a very important task will keep them from surrendering to death; disappearing in puff of brimstone smoke.

Halfling Enchanters have some opportunity to enter the Wizard Council as noted. Unfortunately the rest often become trouble for the Council, dabbling extensively in forbidden spells, trying to acquire more magical power. If the Council doesn't get them, a potent spell gone wrong will. Strangely, retreat to the Otherworld isn't an option. Elves trust pixies even less than humans do.

Drow just don't hardly fit in anywhere. They will tend to stick close to their friends as trusted advisors in their own goals. Otherwise, they try to live comfortably and quietly out of sight.

Celestials, by 10th level, are near full angels. As such, their human side usually perishes soon after and their angelic side returns from whence it came. Only the completion of a very important task will keep them around for a while.


What a grim ending for these heroic beings.  I feel so sorry for them.  I have some campaign ideas for high level adventures, but the post isn't ready yet.  None of them involve going to parties.  I also added some material to the Respect skill that will work with these campaign ideas.  Anyway, next up are some NPC classes and ideas for variant classes. 

Let's Replay This

First, I don't like the Houston Texans. Second, I don't like the Detroit Lions either. I had no rooting interest in their Thanksgiving game and was simply killing time during commercials while watching the dog show. (I love doggies. Besides, the real dog show was later in the evening between the Patriots and the Jets.) I see this touchdown during the game that was scored by this Texans player (forgive me for not naming names, I don't follow this league closely, and the people involved don't really matter in this case) who had already been downed by contact. Then Lions' coach erroneously throws a challenge flag, which somehow nullifies the automatic booth review of all scores. And then there's a 15-yard penalty on top of it.

Let's look at the obvious, another great missed call by the replacement refs.  When is the NFL going to get rid of these incompetent boobs and bring back the real refs?

What?

Oh, you're just s'ing me. Those were the regular refs?

Well, I'm sure we're all comforted knowing that the replacement refs would screwed up worse had they been there. . . somehow. . . probably. . . can't really imagine how, but I'm sure the pinheads in sportstalk would figure out something.

So anyway here's yet another badly officiated game by the real refs, but fortunately the coach bails them out from having the result of their blown call overturned. Yes, the refs did get that rule correct, penalty and all.

Ever notice how more and more of the action on the field has become the action in the booth or the sideline review. It's been a steady progression from no reviews, to instant replay, to coaches' challenge, to booth review in the last two minutes of a half, to automatic reviews of scores and turnovers, to whatever comes next. It's like the NFL trusts its officials less and less to make the correct call on the field on the first try. Some might even suspect that the real reason for increased replay is to in fact help determine the outcome of the game (at least in terms of the points spread), and that the refs could no longer be trusted with it. (Okay, mostly that's just me.)

The rules of the game have gotten absurdly complex. Being complex, they're exploitable and therefore have to be changed every season for safety or competitive reasons. No wonder they need instant replay.

I can't believe the people who want more of this in baseball. You just want them to get the call right, even if you have to wait a minute for it. It seems so necessary to correct the obvious bad calls. But it never ends there. Then you want the questionable calls confirmed. Then you need rules governing replay. Then it'll have to be expanded to include more and more plays. Then the replays start becoming automatic in certain situations and then more situations. And this is all under the wrong assumption that you can definitely get the call on every play absolutely correct. Pretty soon, you spend most of your time watching a sport, watching somebody else watch it and then telling what happened.

Football's lost. It's gone. Between safety concerns and constant referee meddling in the game (that at least causes me to question the integrity of the sport), it's going to get worse and eventually un-watchable. (But that won't hurt ratings, for reasons that I'll go into in another blog.) Please don't let this happen to baseball. I think there are things that could be done to improve the calls in baseball (in real time), and NFL-style replays aren't it.

Fantasy Core RPG--Oriental Class Goals

FANTASY CORE RPG
(c) Jerry Harris, 2012
Published here as Open Game Content.

This is not an accurate, historical representation of Feudal Asian society. It is only a game representation. Other classes (standard fighters, thieves and barbarians) would follow the same type of power structure as above. Outsiders to the Asian or European-style cultures will be hard-pressed to take power in either by any means other than force.


Samurai
---------
Goal: Honor. A samurai seeks to be well known for their adherence to their principles and their loyalty to their lord.

Power Structure: A samurai would be considered equivalent to knightly nobility. They will hope to become a lord by being anointed by their own lord when he steps down or perhaps rule an annexed territory. The samurai will need an impressive record of loyalty and deeds, in addition to fighting off any potential rivals, likely in single combat. Their ultimate objective is to enter the Imperial Court. There, they want to more closely serve the Emperor, perhaps even rule in his name as Shogun.


Ninja
------
Goal: Dread. Ninjas wish to inspire fear.

Power Structure: A ninja clan is a family affair. Loyalty to the family and its elders is absolute. 9th level ninjas are part of the Jonin, the ruling elders. They make the decisions for the clan and authorize its actions. There is a single 10th level Jonin who is their acknowledged leader. Successors may be anointed or put to a vote by Jonin, if there was no successor or the right to lead is challenged. This is a peaceful process, but there is always some jockeying for accomplishments and favor. Attrition in the Jonin positions is high, as elders are fully expected to carry out missions, just like lower level ninjas. They tend to be responsible for the highest-level missions involving the most discretion, subtly, and danger.


At their highest level, a ninja clan leader may be powerful enough to exert influence over the legitimate power structure in the country and rule from the shadows. Certainly any ruler will at least want good relations with their land’s most powerful ninja clans (and any usurper will as well).


Flying Warrior
----------------
Goal: Peace. Whatever motivated the flying warrior to fight inevitably ends with their trying to renounce the world of Martial Arts. Often this takes the form of becoming a simple monk at a temple. According to every film I've seen on this subject, this never works out. Challenges from past and new rivals and threats to loved ones will continue until the flying warrior meets their end.

Power Structure: There is no formal hierarchy, but everyone knows who's number one. If you have to ask, it's not you. There can only be one 10th level flying warrior in a country or large area. Defeating the current holder is the only way of achieving 10th level.

Being the top martial artist has two advantages. One, your reputation alone will keep anyone under 9th level from ever thinking about messing with you. (On the downside, every 9th level flying warrior is gunning for you.) Two, you may found your own dojo and start a school. They will likely need to curry favor with various lords for their help in funding this or at least donating the land. Other schools, started by previous masters or those outside the area, will be natural rivals.


Shaman
---------
Goal: Virtue (Greed). A shaman does not want power or wealth (unless they're evil eunuches). They wish only to serve God.

Power Structure: There is no hierarchy of shamen. There are, however, rivalries amongst them over interpretation of scripture and questioning of each other's actions. Single combat (perhaps to the death) is often the result. Shamen will normally wander about searching for good deeds to do in hopes of achieving enlightenment and immortality. It is at that precipice, they may turn to evil, desiring more power.

A righteous shaman will seek to settle in a sanctuary for further contemplation, only coming forth to address great evils, such as evil shamen. This place of rest may be in a monastery, temple, or even a hut in the woods. A shaman reaching 10th level may choose to ascend from the mortal world to enlightenment whenever they wish. An evil shaman may become a ghost, haunting the place of their death or haunting a place of their choosing.

It should also be noted, shamen may spend 10 XP to gain a +1 to their Spell Checks. This does offer the possibility of getting better odds of casting higher level (6 and up) spells.


I'm off for Thanksgiving.  I should be back on Friday.

Baseball Journal MLB Rewind 11-15-12

7-22-12

The Cubs showed up today in St. Louis. Unfortunately it wasn't to play baseball as they lost 7 - 0. This after giving up a dozen (literally) run in one inning yesterday. On the day that Ron Santo was inducted into the Hall of Fame, the Cubs took the field today doing his trademark heel clicking. Even the most jaded fan had to appreciate that tribute.

[By the way, I think this is my favorite story of the year. I don't know why.] Speaking of tributes, forget Yu Darvish's great performance on Saturday, and the Rangers pounding the Angels into the ground. Forget Albert (Call Me Al) Pujols striking out multiple times with men in scoring position. I hope to forget soon, Chris Myers disinterested play-by-play seated next to an Angels homer broadcaster. Yeah, that was great, listening to two guys hyping a team that's getting smacked around on a national broadcast.

No, what I'll remember and so shall everyone else, Mini-Darvish. Yes, cosplaying taken to the next level. There he was in all his glory, a Yu Darvish impersonator in the stands, only the Mini-Darvish name on his back giving him away. Seriously, he looked just like him. I think he could have entered the game at any moment. Unlike the late arriving, early leaving crowds for the other LA baseball team, the Angels' fans never really materialized for this game. But Texas fans were there, and were hitting up Mini-Darvish to have their picture taken with him. Just simply awesome. [No doubt the rest of this Rewind is going to simply be a superfluous let-down after that story.]


7-29-12

Rizz! Oh, just a two-run, walk-off in the 10th. Ho hum. I want to see this kid in the playoffs and it better be in a Cubs uniform. I think even the Cardinal fans in the crowd were cheering.

The Dodgers took some batting practice yesterday against the Giants, who declined to do likewise during their half of the inning. I think the senior citizen "Ball Dudes" were the only ones who showed up to play. The TV coverage had fun watching one of the elderly gents puttering out to the warning track to snag a foul ball. Was he tired? Nah, he was smiling the whole time.


8-2-12

There I was thinking how I would have liked to have heard Eric Nadel's call of Wednesday night's Ranger/Angel game. Technically I watched about half an inning on the MLB Network, so I can comment on the game. I saw Albert's first home run and four of the six Angel runs of the frame. They were up 6 - 0 until the Rangers got back in it and managed to tie the score at 7 - 7 in the ninth. Top of the 10th, Albert gets his second home run and the Halos were up 10 - 7.

From there, I followed over the Internet and got to hear Matt Hicks call it later as the Rangers racked up four runs to win the game. Unfortunately, Matt was uncredited on the national sports talk radio, but this was called the game of the year.


8-3-12

Ryan Dempster made his Ranger debut last night. . . as a batting tee. As well as he has pitched this year in the band box that is Wrigley, Harry Kari Dempster was totally unprepared for the right field jetstream at Arlington. Unfortunately for the Angels, they had "Big Game" CJ Wilson on the mound. Bottom line, both starters gave up eight runs. Both bullpens stumbled as well, but the Rangers sucked less and the team eventually won. Joe Nathan was back out to finish in a non-save situation, presumably at his own request, after blowing it last night. After another 30-pitch performance, Wash couldn't even watch him pitch. [These last two entries were definitely a bad omen regarding Ranger pitching, but as long as the hitting held up, they had a chance to win.]


8-6-12

Rizzzz. . . No exclamation point this time because the Cubs lost, but three rbi's, one game-tying home run in the ninth, and a couple of spectacular plays around first base, and you're going to continue to be talked about.

Man, the bullpens on the Cubs and the Dodgers suck. I know that closers are headcases and nibblers (translation: they take an absurd amount of time between pitches and don't throw strikes), but this game was the extreme. Were you guys in the bullpen watching Joe Blanton out there earlier getting pissed because he wasn't getting close calls? What made you think you were going to get them, especially when you couldn't find the strike zone consistently anyway? If you're committed to walking batters, just throw four wide and do it quick.

The Cubs also brought up a new prospect yesterday, which unfortunately meant that they sent down Tony Campana. I'm not surprised. He wasn't doing the team or himself any good on the bench. Campana needs to play everyday to get better at hitting. The new guy Brett Jackson, and Rizzo are big farm boys cut from the same cloth as Josh Hamilton, right down to their left-handed swings (Paul Goldscimdt on the D-backs as well, except he's a righty). Seems like this is one of the molds, scouts are looking for for sluggers.