Category Archives: Games

Mini Six Characters: Darghast & Molnara

Wherein your humble scribe presents a couple of characters he whipped up in honor of the arrival of his print copy of Mini Six. For the record, it should be noted that I have never played a single D6 game of any vintage by any publisher. I only bought into Mini Six because I was so impressed with the effort the AntiPaladin Games guys put into it and I love nice light systems to tinker with. Oh, and the subtle little Warren Zevon reference in the rulebook makes me happy.

Molnara found Darghast face down in a pool of filthy rainwater in the alley behind the Flagrant Fox. She noted that he was short a couple of teeth when she lifted him up with her giant hands, and as she slung the rogue over her shoulder the stench of Fool’s Own brandy that emanated from his every pore was so thick as to be nearly visible.

“Tsk, tsk, Darg. You really shouldn’t go to this part of town without me, you know,” the warrior gently lectured her friend in her rough & smokey voice.

“Grnshp. ButIwaswinnng. Before. Uuuungh.”

“Sure you were, Darg. And I’m sure you weren’t cheating at all. And that’s certainly not why Krogan and his boys treated you to a visit to the alley,” she continued as she made her way through the midnight streets of the Plum Street district, winding through its less dangerous sections to try to get back to their rooms at the Old Boar’s.

“Fnshwa. NalvinandSandohadmback,” Darghast slurred, stifling a laugh that would only have caused his head to hurt more.

“Nalvin and Sando? You really shouldn’t put your faith in friends like that pair. It doesn’t matter how well connected you think you are, Darg. No one likes a cheater. Not here in Franziltown, anyway.”

“Franziltown! Wemightwnnleavbefore. Sunnnup…”

Molnara stopped dead in her tracks and hauled Darghast’s limp form from her broad back. She held his nearly insensate form directly in front of her face, her eyes narrowed, her jaw set.

“What. Did. You. Do, Darg?”

“Hunsding.”

“What? Hunsding? What does that mean, Darg?”

In later days Molnara would often remind him of what happened next. Of how he had emptied the sad contents of his guts on the ground (and her) and passed out completely just as the three Huntsmen stepped out of the darkness where they had been waiting for the rogue and the warrior, swords glinting in the moonlight. Of how she had single-handedly defeated two of them with her axe and send the third running back to his Guildmaster with one less ear for eavesdropping. And of how she had managed to get them clear of Franziltown before the Guild could properly deal with them. All while Darghast slept like a baby, snoring loudly and occasionally muttering softly to himself.

Darghast
Might 2D+2
Agility 3D+1
Wit 2D+1
Charm 3D+2

Skills: Persuasion 4D+2, Streetwise 4D+2, Sword 3D+2, Pickpocket 4D+1, Dodge 5D+1
Perks: Favors
Gear: Sword (5d+1)
Static: Dodge 16, Block 8, Parry 11
Body Points: 30
Armor: Leather (2) & Shield ( 4)

Molnara
Might 4D
Agility 3D+1
Wit 2D+1
Charm 2D+1

Skills: Brawling 5D, Axe 6D, Dodge 4D+1, Tracking 2D+2, Ride 3d+1, Courage 3d+1
Perks: None
Gear: Axe (7D)
Static: Dodge 10, Block 15, Parry 18
Body Points: 36
Armor: Chainmail (6) & Shield (4)

BRP Character: Edwina Lyselle Sirolangg

Wherein your humble scribe presents an NPC for use with Basic RolePlaying.

Edwina Lyselle Sirolangg is a freelance pilot and entrepreneur who makes her living clearing the space lanes of debris left over from the various planetary collisions that frequently occur throughout the densely packed AT4-R1 sector. And though most people think she is just “a little off” from having spent too much time alone blasting the big rocks into dust, Edie swears she has seen alien spacecraft out there in the ‘stroid Fields. She doesn’t quite know why, but she “feels” that the aliens come from a planet called Vekt’aar. At least, that’s what the voices in her head seem to be telling her, when she can hear them over the “heartbeat” of her ship.

STR 10 CON 14 SIZ 10 INT 14 POW 16 DEX 18 APP 14
Hit Points 12 Major Wound 6 Power Points 16

Damage Bonus: none
Weapons: Blaster Pistol 55%, damage 1d8+2
Armor: Adaptive Mesh, 1d4+2
Skills: Appraise 35%, Artillery: Shipboard 65%, Disguise 25%, Dodge 55%, Energy Weapons: Blaster Pistols 55%, Fine Manipulation 25%, First Aid 50%, Heavy Machine 35%, Knowledge: The Fields 50%, Listen 50%, Navigation 55%, Pilot: Starship 75%, Repair: Electronic 30%, Repair: Mechanical 60%, Sleight of Hand 25%, Spot 75%, Stealth 30%
Powers: Danger Sense 30%, Intuition 20%, Precognition 20%, Telepathy 20%

LL Character: Bregdorf The Unwary

Young Bregdorf has left his home of Donkey’s Rest in search of his fortune. You know, the one Auntie Helga told him was waiting out there for him. She also used to tell him that sixteen of anything was lucky (unless it was torches) and that opals are the devil’s stone. And that he’d live to the rip old age of one-and-eighty and one day he would slay a vampire. And, of course, that there’s a fortune out there waiting to be had.

Bregdorf The Unwary / Human Fighter 1 / Neutral Good
Head Gear: A classical Greek helmet

STR 16 INT 12 WIS 4 DEX 12 CON 10 CHR 13
HP 5 AC 5 Money 12 sp, 4 cp
Bastard sword, Silver dagger, Scale Mail, Shield, 3 wooden stakes, Hammer, Wooden Holy Symbol, 3 cloves of garlic, 1 vial of holy water, Small silver mirror

BRP Character: Secret Agent G-6155

Wherein your humble scribe presents an NPC for use with Basic RolePlaying.

Secret Agent G-6155 (codename “Interceptor”) is one of the most respected wheelmen working for the Agency. He is an outstanding driver and a fair shot with the weapons that are frequently built into the types of cars used by the Agency. Interceptor is cool under fire, even when his arch nemesis, “The Mad Bomber” takes to the skies in his custom helicopter in an effort to destroy G-6155. The agents of FANGS are all well aware of Interceptor’s skills and do their best to drive him off the road whenever this spy hunter winds up on their tail.

STR 13 CON 12 SIZ 12 INT 13 POW 15 DEX 16 APP 16
Hit Points 12 Major Wound 6 Power Points 15

Damage Bonus: +1d4
Weapons: Medium Pistol 60%, damage 1d8
Armor: none
Skills: Artillery 75%, Brawl 65%, Dodge 70%, Drive (Car) 85%, Fast Talk 45%, Grapple 65%, Hide 35%, Listen 50%, Martial Arts 15%, Navigate 40%, Pistol 60%, Research 50%, Spot 60%, Stealth 45%

The King’s Treasure

So King’s Hobby in Austin, which I hadn’t been to in a few years, seems to have a whole lot of its RPG stock on sale. I fear that this is because after the changeover in ownership they’re not looking to carry this particular flavor of geekdom once they clear things out. So if you live in or near Austin you might want to swing by and see what you can find.

Speaking of what you can find, I hit a vein! They had new old stock of some very lovely Elric! books, as you can see to the right. Everything is lightly shelfworn, but otherwise in great shape. And it was all 50% or more off of cover price. Yes, I’m bragging. No, they don’t have any more Elric! books (unless they’re hiding stuff in the back and only bringing it out when necessary – but I doubt that). They do have some other interesting stuff, though. Oh, and I snagged a copy of the 3rd edition of Skyrealms of Jorune (also 50% off) on a whim, since I’ve never actually owned a copy of it before.

So thank you, King’s Hobby, for these delightful treats. And if you’re giving up on RPGs, it’s our loss. But hey, at least you’ve got the town covered for WWI airplane models and such. We need that niche handled!

A Dangerous Foe: Nezatl Xomec

Somewhere in the world lies the lost valley of Tlactoztlan. The strange natives of this hidden place practice human sacrifice, pray to bizarre gods, adorn themselves with brightly-colored feathers, and – it is rumored – live in cities made of gold. Only the bravest and luckiest adventurers find their way to Tlactoztlan!

In his hidden lair deep beneath the city of Xotepeclan, the sorcerer Nezatl Xomec patiently waits, like a malignant spider, weaving his plans of deceit and corruption with steely purpose and twisted, maniacal glee. The sorcerer has been a bane to the people of Tlactoztlan for more than 100 summers. Despite his great magical prowess, Nezatl Xomec is physically frail as a result of his great age and his obsession with the darkest magics.

In his pursuit of power Nezatl Xomec has entered into a pact with Mictlantecuhtli, a demon that rules over the lowest levels of hell. In exchange for his incredibly long life and the skills that he has developed as a sorcerer, Nezatl Xomec must supply Mictlantecuhtli with a steady stream of sacrifices. Further, Nezatl Xomec must consume the flesh and organs of these sacrifices on a regular basis or else he will falter and finally fall into complete decrepitude.

As if this weren’t enough, Mictlantecuhtli has cursed the sorcerer with a strange recurring malady – at the eleventh hour of every day, the flesh of Nezatl Xomec’s head melts away, leaving him with just a hideous bare skull until the twelfth hour arrives. It is frequently during this hour that Nezatl Xomec performs his sacrifices, as Mictlantecuhtli delights in souls that pass into his realm already filled with terror.

Nezatl Xomec is a master of many spells, but perhaps more terrifying is his willingness and ability to summon forth terrible demons to terrorize his foes and do the things that he himself is no longer physically capable of.

Like all Izatacli (the sorcerers of Tlactoztlan), Nezatl Xomec wears a headdress comprised of white parrot feathers, with his own right-of-passage emerald Quetzalcoatl feather at the center.

Essences
Lifeblood 7
Arcane Power 17
Villain Points 5

Attributes
Strength -1
Agility 1
Mind 4
Appeal 0

Combat
Brawl 0
Melee 0
Ranged 2
Defense 2

Careers
Sorcerer 5
Scholar 4
Artificer 3
Noble 1

Boons
Power of the Void

Flaws
Delicate
Cravings: Human Flesh
Mictlantecuhtli’s Curse

Languages
Tlacuatl, Outlander, Sorceric, Demonic

Equipment
Obsidian Spider Knife, 1d3 plus paralyzing poison (hard Strength task to resist)
Amulet of Tepeyollotl (d6-2 of “armor”)

Berwhale the Avenger

Wherein your humble scribe riffs on an old comedy routine as a way of filling space otherwise left blank because life got a little busy all of a sudden. We will be returning you to your regularly scheduled Tlactoztlan shortly.

Forged by an order of priests dedicated to the eradication of evil magic, this ancient, ornate silver longsword’s name is engraved into its blade in the runes of Ollerman-Goth. It was once wielded by Timothy the Pure, though it was lost upon his death in battle against Pewnack, the Destroyer. It surfaced sometime later in the hoard of the red dragon Furloroth. It has since disappeared again, though rumors abound that it may be found in the dungeons beneath Saffron Walden.

Magic Longsword, +3 to hit, +1 Damage
Alignment: Lawful
Special Purpose: Slay Magic-Users
Intelligence: 12
Ego: 12
Primary Abilities: Detect Evil, Detect Magic, Read Magic
Extraordinary Abilities: Healing
Languages Spoken: Law, Old High Thjardil, Draconic

BoL Character: Acaxochitl

The daughter of Xuchitl, one of the renown silver artisans of Quanoac, Acaxochitl now serves among the honor guard at the temple of Xochiquetzal. Chimanihuatl, the high priestess of Xochiquetzal, clearly favors Acaxochitl and has made the young warrior maiden something of a celebrity among the nobles and priests in Tecali, often choosing her to serve as the priestess’ personal guard during processions and public services. And though she is truly happiest on the field of battle, Acaxochitl finds her current life more than a little pleasing.

Acaxochitl wears a silver hummingbird pendant made for her by her father for her coming-of-age ceremony. She treasures this piece above all else and will fight to the death to retain or defend it. A person who managed to acquire it from her could almost certainly demand nearly any form of payment from her in exchange for the pendant. The evil sorcerer Nezatl Xomec is aware of this weakness and has plans to exploit it one day, when the stars are right and a certain high priestess must be slain by the hand of a maiden…

Like all Coztli (the warriors of Tlactoztlan), Acaxochitl wears a headdress comprised of yellow parrot feathers, with her own right-of-passage crimson Quetzalcoatl feather at the center.

Essences
Lifeblood 11
Hero Points 3

Attributes
Strength 1
Agility 2
Mind 0
Appeal 1

Combat
Brawl 0
Melee 2
Ranged 1
Defense 1

Careers
Guard 2
Warrior 1
Metalsmith 1
Noble 0

Boons
War Cry
Thick Skin
Escape Artist

Flaws
Arrogant

Languages
Tlacuatl

Equipment
Macuahuitl (obsidian-toothed wooden sword), 1d6+2 (-1 to hit)
Atlatl (dart thrower), 1d6-1
Ichcahuipilli (quilted cotton armor) & chimalli (shield), d6-1

BoL Character: Yayauhqui

A charming, though somewhat anxious, young priest of Tlaloc, the rain god of the Tlactozotl, Yayauhqui travels between villages and cities in Tlactoztlan, bringing news and, if Tlaloc is pleased, rain. Yayauhqui is an accomplished agrarian and an amateur alchemist who believes that mixing the two disciplines will allow him to better understand the world around him.

Grounded as he is in the physical world and the plight of his people, he often finds himself at odds with his superiors in the great temples of Xotepeclan and Tecali. Additionally, unlike many within the priesthood Yayauhqui is not immediately suspicious of the handful of outsiders who have found their way into the lost valley. In fact, he may well be sympathetic to their plight.

Like all Texotli (the priests of Tlactoztlan), Yayauhqui wears a headdress comprised of blue parrot feathers, with his own right-of-passage green Quetzalcoatl feather at the center.

Essences
Lifeblood 13
Hero Points 5

Attributes
Strength 1
Agility 0
Mind 1
Appeal 2

Combat
Brawl 0
Melee 1
Ranged 1
Defense 2

Careers
Priest 2
Farmer 2
Laborer 0
Alchemist 0

Boons
Sling Fighter
Hard-To-Kill

Flaws
Insubordinate (roll an extra die when dealing with “superiors”)

Languages
Tlacuatl, Outlander

Equipment
Jade parrot mace, d6+1
Sling, d6-2
Very light armor (feathered cloak) & shield (chimalli), d3

Lookee What I Got!

After enduring^* for what seems like forever with just my horrible^* old red cover copy of Labyrinth Lord (and worse, only a cheap printout of the Advanced Edition Companion) I finally broke down and ordered shiny new hardcovers of both books.

Ain’t they loverly?

Now, I’ll freely admit that I wasn’t sold on the new cover art when I first saw it announced. Actually, I wasn’t sold on it until this afternoon when Mr. FedEx showed up with the books. I can’t stress how sharp these books look in person. And having the two of them next to each other on the shelf just makes me smile.

Eventually I’ll break down and get OEC as well. But since it’s not a big shiny hardback, the oomph won’t be the same. That’s ok, though. There shouldn’t really be any oomph where 0E is concerned, in my opinion. And, of course, I’ve still got my OCE box if I ever need it.^†

^*I am being sarcastic with these comments, just so you know.
^†Yes, I’m bragging here 🙂

Strange Stones

a nerdy rpg blog