Expedition to the Doomed Peaks--Extra Adventurers Part 1

Fantasy Core RPG
© Jerry Harris 2013
Published here as Open Game Content.
(This link will take you to the Fantasy Core Index.)

Adventure Index


Extra Adventurers
Part One

This group could be used by players to go through the adventure (though they are a bit sub-par). They can be used (all or in part) for the Adventurer encounters on the ship. They’ll work as replacement characters or as nasty foes. If used as characters starting the adventure, they should be equipped with some common gear of the player’s choice. Otherwise, assume they have none, as well as no firearms or other advanced gear (they lost it running from monsters). If this group is encountered on higher levels, assume that they got there by following after the player characters opened the way.


Barbarian
+3 Str and Con bonus
7th level (80 XP), Hp 69, AC 17 Chainmail, AC 12 vs firearms
Fort +8, Ref +2 Will +2
Melee: +1 Great Axe +11 to hit 1d12+4, Rage (Natural 13 up) 16 dam
Ranged +1 Spear +8 to hit 1d8+1

Detection +4
Die Hard 3 rds before unconscious


Paladin
+3 Str, Con, and Wis bonus
7th level (80 XP), Hp 61, AC 18 Splint and +2 Shield, AC 12 vs firearms
Fort +8, Ref +2, Will +8
Melee: +1 Longsword +11 to hit 1d8+4, Smite (undead, demons) 12 dam
Ranged: Holy Water (undead, demons) 2d4+4, 7 vials

Immunities: fear, charm, and disease effects.
First Aid Skill
Magical Healing: x 3 day, all Hp damage

At Will Spells:
- Bless Water: Makes holy water. At will, but only 1 vial/level (7) may be active per day. 2d4 + 1/2 level points of damage (2d4+4) to an undead creature or a demon.
- Detect Lies: Detects knowingly told falsehoods.
- Detect Magic: Detects spells and magic items and creatures within 60 ft.
- Detect Poison: Detects poison in one creature or object.
- Detect Undead/Demonic/Celestial: Reveals creatures, spells, or objects, 10' radius/level (70’).
- Divine Light: Object shines like a torch. At will. May be dismissed at will. Undead, demons, and heliophobic creatures will be stunned for a rd. This works once per encounter.

Encounter Spells: +7 to cast
May be attempted once per turn/encounter, DC 12 to cast.

- Consecrate: Fills a room or a 30' square area in the open (use a common sense measurement given the situation) with positive energy. Undead and demons of less HD than the paladin flee or cower for 1 turn.
- Gentle Repose: Preserves one corpse. Permanent.
- Neutralize Poison: Detoxifies venom in or on subject.
- Remove Disease: Cures all diseases affecting subject.
- Remove Fear: Suppresses fear in a subject.

Daily Spells: +7 to cast
May be attempted once a day, DC 18 to cast.

- Break Enchantment: Frees subjects from enchantments, alterations, curses, and petrifaction. This is a ceremony spell, which requires 1 turn to cast. Lost for the day if interrupted.
- Commune: Deity answers one simple question. This is a ceremony spell, which requires 1 turn to cast. Lost for the day if interrupted.
- Dismissal/Exorcism: Forces a demonic creature or possessing spirit to return to its native plane, must have less HD than caster (7).
- Hallow: Designates location as holy. Keeps out demons and undead for one day. This is a ceremony spell, which requires 1 turn to cast. Lost for the day if interrupted.


Knight
+3 Str and Con bonus
7th level (80 XP), Hp 61, AC 17 Half Plate, AC 10 vs firearms
Fort +8, Ref +2, Will +2
Melee: +1 Great Sword, 2 att, +11/+7 to hit 2d6+4
Ranged: Longbow +7 to hit, 1d8, 20 arrows

Magic Helm of Comprehend Languages

Expedition to the Doomed Peaks--Monsters-Bots & Brain Lasher

Fantasy Core RPG
© Jerry Harris 2013
Published here as Open Game Content.
(This link will take you to the Fantasy Core Index.)

Adventure Index

Monster Index


Androids, Security Bot, Spider Bot, and the Brain Lasher


Android  (Borrowed and adapted from Mutant Future)
Humanoid robot, typically dressed for function, such as Worker, Valet, Programmer, Security Officer

HD 8, Hp 50, AC 14, Has +4 Dex and enhanced initiative (Androids will not wear armor)
Fort +10, Ref +6, Will +1
Melee: +8 to hit, Fist 1d6, or Shock Rod DC 18 Fort Sv or stun 1d4 rds, or Vibro-Knife 1d10
Ranged: Pistol +10 to hit (+2 with laser sight, which Androids will always have) 2d6 (10 shot magazine), or +8 to hit Shotgun 2d10 (10 shells), or Plasma Gun +8 to hit 3d6 x 2 (10 bursts)

Immune to illusions and gas.
Self-destruct: 1 rd to arm with audio warning, 2d10 damage 20’ radius, (DC 12 Ref Sv ½ damage). Androids may or may not self-destruct depending on their programming or insanity. They may be ordered to self-destruct by a Control Wand holder.


Spider Bot
Small arachnid robot

HD 2, Hp 10, AC 17
Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +0
Melee: None
Ranged: Built-in mini Plasma Gun +2 to hit 3d6

Plasma Cell can be recovered if pried open
Immune to illusions, gas, and Control Wands.


Security Bot
Floating cylindrical robot with grappling tentacles.

HD 9, Hp 65, AC 18* (Magic or plasma to hit)
Fort +10, Ref +0, Will +0
3 Attacks per rd-both melee and chaingun
Melee: 2 Shock Tentacle attacks +9 to hit 1d6 + DC 18 Fort Sv or stun 1d4 rds
Ranged: Built-in Chaingun +10 to hit 2d8 x 2. Gun cannot be removed, but if pried opened, 1d4 ammo drums can be recovered.

Immune to normal weapons, illusions, gas.
A displayed Control Wand will immobilize the Security Robot for 1d4 rds, once. (User will not be able to control the Robot.)
Self-destruct 1 rd to arm, 3d10 damage 20’ radius, (DC 12 Ref Sv ½ damage)


Brain Lasher
Humanoid creature with a squid-like head. (Borrowed from Mutant Future, who adapted it from the famous D&D creature.)

HD 9, Hp 30, AC 14
Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +6
Melee: Suck brains on unconscious opponents, takes 1d4 rds.
Ranged: Mind blast DC 12 Will Sv or KO 1d4 rds.
Or can use modern weapons if supplied with one +9 to hit.

Possession: DC 18 Will Sv or controlled for 1d4 rds. Lasher may not attack while controlling.
Plane Shift: Will escape immediately if outside of the ship’s force fields, namely if he enters the Command Bridge, takes 1 rd concentrating.

Memorial Day Weekend Sports Journal Part 6

Monday, 5-27-2013 Continued

It’s a great crowd at the “Cell” in Chicago, where the Cubs and the White Sox renewed their cross-town rivalry. It’s a happy crowd, obviously mostly Sox fans, though basically every good play by either side is getting loud cheers. The between innings bumpers showed rival Cubs and Sox fans together acrimoniously.

The broadcast is going around the ballpark during the game and showing off the amenities there, probably a dig at Wrigley Field as much as a marketing effort. The party deck in the outfield is quite impressive, especially with the massive food spread. They were also showing off some exotic food items from the concession. The radio games mentioned the camouflaged hats and uniforms for Memorial Day. They look sharp.

The game only took two and half hours. Threatening weather and Samardzija pitching an almost effortless shutout shortened the game considerably. The White Sox actually made the Cubs look good. Bad enough that the Cubs were hitting and pitching well, the Sox essentially self-destructed on top of it. 7-0 Cubs, final. I must mention White Sox reliever Brian Omogrosso, who entered the game in the 8th. I hope this guy does well, because I love the name. His name could be used in any number of clever ways depending on the situation. If he ever plays for the Yankees, I’m sure John Sterling will have a field day with it.

I join the second game of the Rangers-Diamondbacks doubleheader in the 4th and hear Lance Berkman score on an error, tying the game up at 2-2. The roof is open for this game, so I assume it’s a pleasant night. Davish pitches well, though he nearly took out Elvis Andrus with a foul ball on a bad swing. 14 K’s, but Yu comes out in the 8th after giving up a game typing home run, 4-4.

Good news from the Los Angles comes in during the game. “Big Game” CJ Wilson blows a five-run lead and the otherwise useless Dodgers beat the Angels, 8-7.

Unfortunately, that’s the last good news of the evening, as the Diamondbacks have a walk off win in the 9th, 5-4 final in a brisk two hours and 43 minutes. You can probably blame this loss on a depleted bullpen. Wash seemed downright dejected after the game. At least they didn’t go into extra innings and lose. As was noted in the post game, the Rangers played 10 hours and one minute of baseball over the last two days and had nothing to show for it. Sigh.

And so ends Sports-a-poolza 2013. (“Yay,” J mutters weakly.) The tally (keeping in mind I didn’t watch or listen to everything in totality) is 11 ballgames, five races, and dos futbol matches. (What the hell was I thinking there?)

Highlight? Indy. Could there be any doubt?

Lowlight? The Rangers going on a three game losing streak over the course of two days. Also, typing out all of this crap from crummy, scribbled, handwritten notes.

What have we learned? I need to seriously pare back on watching stuff I’m not enjoying. NASCAR, I’m looking at you. Also, baseball games are for most part, too damn long. Two and half to three hours is the happy zone for a ballgame. Beyond that, they start wearing out their welcome. MLB needs to be figuring out how to speed up games, not slowing them down with replay.

That’s all for now. Let’s do it again next weekend.

Expedition to the Doomed Peaks--Monsters-Undead

Fantasy Core RPG
© Jerry Harris 2013
Published here as Open Game Content.
(This link will take you to the Fantasy Core Index.)

Adventure Index

Monster Index


Undead


Stalker (Feral Vampire)
Animalistic-looking humanoid undead.

HD 4, Hp 29, AC 15* (Magic, silver, or plasma to hit)
Fort +1, Ref +5, Will +5
Melee: Claw +5 to hit 1d8 + Energy Drain DC 12 Will Sv or stun 1 rd and lose 1d4 XP. A hit on a natural 17 and up, the Stalker has also grappled, DC 18 Str or Escape Artist check to break. Next rd, victim is helpless, automatic hit (1d8) and XP drain (1d4). (Stalker is at AC 10 while feeding.)

Stealth +5
Can crawl on walls and ceilings
Metaconcert-Can work together with a group mind


Ghost
Translucent undead humanoid.

HD 10, Hp 60, AC 13* (Magic to hit)
Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +10
No Melee or Ranged attack
Invisible and intangible at will (0 BAB to attack)

Fright: On initial visible appearance in Encounter, DC 18 Will Sv or panic 1d4 rds.
Moan Scare: When visible, the Ghost can make an audible moan, DC 18 Will Sv or panic 1d4 rds. (Paladins are immune.)
Possession: When visible, the Ghost may attempt to move into a person and take them over. DC 18 Will Sv or controlled for 1d4 rds. Smite, Divine Light, Consecrate, Exorcism, magic weapons, and magic spell attacks on the host will affect the Ghost instead (use Ghost stats), but any other type of attack damages the host (use host stats).


Poltergeist
Invisible psychic force.

HD 1, Hp 8, AC 10* (Magic to hit)
Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +1
Melee: None
Ranged: Flinging objects, 4 attacks in rd at +5 to hit 1d6 (small objects) + DC 12 Will Sv or panic 1d4 rds.
Or 1 attack +10 to hit 1d10 (large objects) + DC 18 Will Sv or panic 1d4 rds. (Paladins are immune.)

Invisible and intangible (0 BAB to attack)


Shadow
Black shadow in humanoid shape.

HD 3, Hp 19, AC 13* (Magic to hit)
Fort +1, Ref +3, Will +4
Melee: Touch +3 to hit Stun 1 rd + DC 12 Fort Sv or lose 1d4 XP
Can Fly

Stealth +10 in dark rooms


Wraith
Flashing undead energy force.

HD 5, Hp 32, AC 13* (Magic to hit)
Fort +1, Ref +4, Will +6
Melee: Touch +5 to hit 1d4 + Energy Drain DC 18 Will Sv or stun 1 rd and lose 1d8 XP

Can Fly

Memorial Day Weekend Sports Journal Part 5

Monday, 5-27-2013

We start this holiday Monday in a fairly low-key manner, but optimistic nonetheless. I was up too late watching Buckaroo Banzai. I kept telling myself that I’ll stop watching and go to bed as soon as I lose interest, and then the movie was over. I didn't see the movie when it was released in the theaters, but strangely I did read the novelization.  The novel made no sense and was in parts, just a reprinting of the movie script.  As bizarre as it is, it does have an internal logic, so the story makes sense (especially compared to genre movies today, like the new Star Trek). The movie may be a throwback to earlier pulp heroes (or maybe Tom Swift), but it is overwhelmingly of its time, the 80’s. In spite of the big hair, big suits, and glam, the movies’ most endearing traits are the absolute earnestness of the actors’ performances, and the nobility of the heroes. Part of me is sorry they didn’t make a sequel or that no one has attempted a remake, but there is virtually no way to intentionally duplicate charm.

No racing today, but plenty of baseball. I may be kissing and making up with KROD. They’re broadcasting one of ESPN’s Memorial Day baseball games this morning. It’s rivalry week in the MLB, so I’m listening to the Nationals vs. the Orioles. I’m typing up yesterday’s stuff while it’s on and not really paying attention, as I don’t really care about either team. Though the game is in Washington, about half the crowd seems to be rooting for Orioles. 6-2 Birds. The announcers mentioned the same thing about Nationals Park that Len and JD did recently, that the pressbox is in the nosebleed level of the stadium. The guys mentioned that they were looking down on the blimp.

The second game, A’s vs. Giants, is joined in progress afterward. Scoreless until the 4th inning, when Madison Bumgarner ceased to be able to find the plate consistently and gave up two runs. The game is in Oakland and is a sell out, but they’ve left the upper level seats tarped over. They apparently did this in the playoffs last year too. I wonder about the A’s marketing department. It’s a very loud, active crowd anyway.

Meanwhile in Phoenix, a beleaguered Ranger team is facing the Diamondbacks as their cross-league rival in a day-night doubleheader. (The Astros are playing the Rockies, if you’re wondering.) Eric and Matt are talking about their travel accommodations. They sound in good spirits, though the game is 4-0 Dbacks in the 6th.

Scheduled double dips are an anachronism. They don’t even do straight up Ernie Banks’ style “Let’s play two” doubleheaders anymore. (Though there was one last season.) Given the length of the modern game, I don’t know if you could really expect fans to sit in a stadium and watch 7+ hours of baseball in a day. Although, pursuant to the exception to Rule 4.10 (a), “National Association League games may adopt a rule that one or both games of a doubleheader shall be seven innings in length.” Yes, it’s really in there, though I would like the term “National Association” defined more precisely.

I’m flipping back and forth between both games on the radio, since I like both the Giants and the Rangers. In the 6th in Oakland, Buster drives in a run making it 2-1 A’s. In Phoenix, the Rangers are striking out a bunch and leaving men on base. 4-1 Oakland (I missed some scoring there), and that ends up being the final. KROD again puts the game on autopilot late in the game, interrupting the coverage with their commercials every 15 minutes. 5-0 Dbacks, until the top of the 9th. Profar drives in Texas’ first run, followed by Beltre driving in two more, but to no avail, 5-3 Arizona, final. I rush out the door with the final out (actually Giants-A’s finished last) to go to my parents’ apartment for the WGN game.

Conclusion.

Expedition to the Doomed Peaks--Monsters-Demons

Fantasy Core RPG
© Jerry Harris 2013
Published here as Open Game Content.
(This link will take you to the Fantasy Core Index.)

Adventure Index

Monster Index


Demons


Hisser
Leathery skinned humanoid with forked tongue and red eyes.

HD 2, Hp 12, AC 15
Fort +5, Ref +1, Will +1
Melee: Burning Touch +2 to hit 1d6
Ranged: At-will Fireball spell 3d6 (DC 12 Ref Sv)

Immune to fire attacks.


Overbiter
Big pink, muscular creature that’s nearly all mouth.

HD 4, Hp 29, AC 16
Fort +6, Ref +0, Will +1
Melee: Bite +4 to hit 2d8


Ghost Biter
Same as an Overbiter, but invisible.

HD 4, Hp 29, AC 16
Fort +6, Ref +0, Will +1
Melee: Bite +4 to hit 2d8

Invisible, DC 18 to detect ambush, 0 BAB to hit, unless the creature is somehow visibly tagged (spell, paint, etc).


Floater
A big red armored floating creature with one big eye and a big smiling mouth full of razor sharp teeth.

HD 7, Hp 45, AC 18 (Eye AC 14 Called Shot)
Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +7
Melee: Bite +7 to hit 3d8
Ranged: Energy Blast +7 to hit 4d6 (DC 12 Ref Sv ½ damage)


Resurrector
8’ tall gold skinned, big headed, near skeletal being.

HD 8, Hp 50, AC 13* (Magic or plasma to hit)
Fort +11, Ref +4, Will +3
Melee: Claw +9 to hit 1d6+6
Ranged: Energy Blast +8 to hit 4d8 (DC 12 Ref Sv ½ damage)

Can Regen all lost hp with DC 18 Fort Sv, takes full rd.
Can Respawn dead creatures in area immediately, takes full rd.


Arch Baron
10’ tall red skinned goat man with horns, furry legs, and cloven hooves.

HD 10, Hp 70, AC 18* (Magic or plasma to hit)
Fort +10, Ref +3, Will +10
Melee: Slap +10 to hit 1d10+5 + Stun 1 rd (knockback)
Ranged: Energy Blast +10 to hit 3d6 x 2 (DC 18 Ref Sv ½ dam)


Frogdemoth
Giant 12’ tall, fat evil-looking frog.

HD 12, Hp 90, AC 20* (Magic or plasma to hit) Always strike last in rd.
Fort +14, Ref 0, Will +12
Two Attacks/rd Melee Bite and Acid Spit/Tongue Shot
Melee: Bite +12 to hit 1d10+10
Ranged: Acid Spit +10 to hit 5d8 (DC 18 Ref Sv ½ dam), will also dissolve any non-magical armor it hits (shields go first, then other armor, one layer at a time)
Tongue Shot +10 to hit (DC 18 Str check or Escape Artist to break), AC 14, 10 hp, Swallow next rd.

Memorial Day Weekend Sports Journal Part 4

Sunday, 5-26-2013 Continued

I discovered last week that 1380 KHEY, another El Paso sports radio station, was carrying Rangers games. I usually have trouble getting that station, so I’d never noticed. Apparently they are more committed to broadcasting their team than KROD is to the Dodgers. So, here I am listening to the Rangers play the Mariners before the NASCAR race. Profar has hit a home run in the 1st. So far, he’s done well since the team brought him up. I just wish that it hadn’t taken Ian Kinsler getting injured for that to happen. I’d rather they were both playing. On the other side, Iwakuma pitched a fairly impressive game at eight innings and two runs, but no decision.

Unfortunately, I’ve missed the pre-race at Charlotte. I say “unfortunately,” because I was looking forward to Michael Waltrip’s grid walk. No, really. It’s so hilariously awkward, it’s like performance art. It’s almost avant garde. You have to enjoy these precious few moments of entertainment in between constant commercial interruptions.

Back at the ballpark the game has gone into extra innings (which is why I missed the pre-race). In the 11th, AJ Pierzynski drove in Elvis Andrus to take the lead. In the bottom, Joe Nathan’s first pitch to Raul Ibanez goes straight over the fence to re-tie it. Remember what I was saying about KHEY’s commitment to the Rangers? Forget that. They just suddenly switched over to the Fox Sportstalk feed, without finishing the game!

I switch over to KROD and am truly surprised that ESPN’s Sunday Night baseball is on, instead of the NBA playoffs. Even I wouldn’t have scheduled that. The Braves and the Mets are playing, but I’m admittedly listening more for an update of the Rangers game. The Mets score one run in the 4th. That’s all the scoring I hear during the game. The signal cuts out a couple of innings later after sundown. I never get an update.

I finally have the race on and am watching (though the sound is off, so I can listen to the ballgame). We’re 100 laps in with about 15 or so cars a lap or more down. There was an extended red flag for a broken cable from one of Fox’s overhead cameras. I’m sure this has gone over well with NASCAR, Kyle Busch and Marcos Ambrose, who’s cars were damaged, and the injured fans. So Fox Sports NASCAR coverage isn’t just directly boring with all their commercials, they’re potentially deadly to spectators, who aren’t even watching TV.

Okay, I was watching Stargate SG-1 for two hours. Did I miss anything? OMG! The race is still going on and it’s not even close to over. Wait, am I getting some criticism here? In my defense, I saw two really good episodes of SG-1. What did I really miss in the race anyway? A bunch of commercials? A bunch of cautions? A lengthy red flag stop? The slow and steady attrition of the field?

Can you blame me for being a little apathetic at this point? Survivor NASCAR. The Endless Race. The Race That Would Not End. Is anybody still on the lead lap? The Ranger game cut off. The Braves-Mets game cut off. My sentences being cut off. All my plans in ruins. My weekend unraveled. My vain, foolish blogging my undoing.

Five and half hours later, Kevin Harvick brings it home, or should I say, survives best. Somebody had to win. 5-Hour Energy drink is shows up as a sponsor at the end. How appropriate. NASCAR should really consider changing the Memorial Day race to something like Martinsville, something a lot shorter with more action. Having the longest, and often most boring, race on the schedule following the glamour of Monaco and drama of Indy, just isn’t working.

I missed the Victory Lane celebration. There was a Mexican soccer league championship on another station. It’s raining and they’re doing penalty kicks. Actually it’s pretty dramatic. A goalie actually stops one of the kicks. On another, the player slipped as he was kicking. America’ wins it. Half the crowd goes crazy. The team is out on the field celebrating. The coach is ruining his suit in the rain, but doesn’t care. The engraver is out on the field, in the rain, putting Americas’ name on the trophy. It’s all ended in tears for Cruz Azul, literally. (I’m not going soft on soccer. It still sucks.)

Mets, 4-2 over the Braves. Mariners over the Rangers 4-3 (damn it). Thank you local news sports ticker. (And Whitney Burbank, just for being inspirationally beautiful, as my motivation has hit low ebb.)

Well, it’s been a long day. Time to . . . Hey, is that Buckaroo Banzai coming on? It won’t end until 1:00 am. Sigh. Let me get comfortable.

Continued.