The outside of the Lich lord’s mountain lair bears a gigantic sculpture of a demonic face. When he wishes, he can speak from his throne room, and the sculpture not only moves, but speaks in a terrifying voice which can be heard for up to twenty miles. This effect has a Suggestion (Will DC 15) built in, usually used to cow his servants and minions, but occasionally used to target those who threaten the tyrant directly. (Originally posted on Game Masters Stash on 30 April 2018) Categories All Imprisoned many millennia ago by the Council of Elders, Serpos was once the mighty snake god of the Serpent Folk. However, he was trapped in stone, and eventually bound to the mountain, which he cannot leave. His burning hatred for all things human means that he tolerates only very few, but he is weakened from his once-deific powers. Statistics: Three-headed Colossal Snake (three bite attacks per round). Serpos also has the spellcasting abilities of a powerful Druid, and can use these to shape his nearby location. He has a tenuous alliance with the Lich lord now lairing in Snake Mountain, and supports him in order to see the human lands fall, getting his final revenge on the Elder Council after all this time. (Originally posted on Game Masters Stash on 29 April 2018) Categories All So your evil Lich needs a lair?
Never fear, I have returned from my overseas trip, and have advice to share! This mountain stronghold is guarded by a colossal serpent, a river of lava, and many men-at-arms (well, he’s actually on the other team, but...). It has been sculpted into monstrous faces, and looms large in the memories of any prisoners who have been dragged there. Few have returned to even tell of it, but the mere mention of Snake Mountain is enough to terrify common folk from the lands below. This is where the Lich lord makes his home, atop a throne built of the bones of his former foes. He scries upon the foes who live with a crystal ball, and laughs at the events he engineers through his vast network of servants. This terrible fastness protects the powerful lord both by its defenses, and its presence itself. Over the coming days, we will explore some of the defenses in greater detail, and how you can use the lord himself. (Originally posted on Game Masters Stash on 28 April 2018) This gold-inlaid mace rumbles and crackles, and when held, a small cloud whips around the head, tiny lightning bolts flickering from it. It is sacred to Talos, God of the Storms, and is hotly sought by his clergy, who have been known to start fights with anyone carrying it. Statistics: +2 Thundering heavy mace of Shock. Once per day, the wielder can Call Lightning as a 10th-level caster. (Originaly posted on Game Masters Stash on 27 April 2018) Categories All Making a map of a dungeon can be easy- make some rooms, connect them with some corridors, easy, right? If you, like many GMs, struggle with inspiration, look at wherever you are right now, whether that’s the office, the mall, or the library. Think about stairs, balconies, ceiling heights, pits, and whatever else you can see. Nearby a childcare? Make it a goblin den! Close to a garden? Throw some druids or animated plants into the mix! The dungeon can be wherever you want/need it to be. Grab a cheap graph paper book at your local stationery store, and whip up a quick floorplan when you sit down for a sec (don’t make it too accurate, or you might get attention from security!). (Originally posted on Game Masters Stash on 26 April 2018) Categories All This dagger is intricately worked with religious scenes from a Lawful and Good religion, depicting epic tales of self-sacrifice. It is used in a specific ritual within the religion to confer a great blessing upon a place or community, wherein a member of the church volunteers to be sacrificed, in order to cleanse the community. This act is done with the permission and assistance of the community, who offer the sacrifice food, shelter, and any other things which they require, for the year leading up to their death. The sacrifice ritual is a time of great joy for the community, wherein the sacrifice joyously recounts their hospitality at the hands of the community, and reaffirms their oath to take on the failings and afflictions of the community. It culminates in their death using this blade, and grants all members of the community present the benefits of either Atonement, Cure Disease, or Aid, as befits their needs. Hooks: * The PCs may hear of a community practicing human sacrifice, and go to investigate them. * The PCs may need the effect of one of these spells, and may wish to offer something to the chosen sacrifice, in order to be counted as part of the community. * Someone the PCs need or like volunteers to be the sacrifice, and the PCs may need to intervene to save them, leaving others in the community to suffer. (Originally posted on Game Masters Stash on 25 April 2018) Categories All This heavily-worked gold necklace is set with a large, square-cut piece of Amber. Statistics: the wearer has Resistance 20 to fire, and feels any heat less than this as nothing more than a warm breeze. The gem glows brighter the more heat it absorbs, but if the wearer is subjected to over 50 points of fire damage at once, it shatters, countering the heat momentarily, but inflicting 10d6 fire damage in a 30-foot burst radius (Reflex DC 16 for half). (Originally posted on Game Masters Stash on 24 April 2018) Categories All The Spire is a renowned prison for political and particularly dangerous opponents of the King. It is a heavily fortified prison, holding only half a dozen prisoners, and thirty guards when entirely staffed. Its warden is an ancient and curmudgeonly woman, the Baroness Sithralinda. She brooks no disobedience from her charges, and has no qualms about having them beaten if they disobey her. The single entrance to The Spire is accessible only by boat, and through a narrow, fortified stairway. Although it is small, The Spire is a true fortress, and once held off an attack by four hundred soldiers for over a month, until the siege was relieved. It is located in a great bay, with several towers overlooking it, and reinforcements never far away. Hooks: * The PCs deliver a prisoner to The Spire, and must help to defend it against foes who greatly outnumber them. * The PCs must infiltrate The Spire using magical flight, and get information from a specific prisoner without raising the alarm. * The PCs must free a prisoner from The Spire, no matter the cost. (Originally posted on Game Masters Stash on 23 April 2018) Categories All These mundane magical items were invented by an apprentice wizard on a study binge, late one night. They are tiny, yellowed, scraps of an enchanted book, shredded into pieces, each about 3 inches by 3 inches. Using a minor transmutation, these scraps adhere to whatever surface they are attached to, unless they are deliberately removed. They grant a +1 bonus on relevant Knowledge checks to recall details, and can be used when researching or studying a particular object, creature, or phenomenon in place. The formula for creating these has now been spread to many other apprentices, and even more experienced mages are now seen to use them in studies or meeting-rooms. People often buy them in big blocks, initially adhered to each other. (Originally posted on Game Masters Stash on 22 April 2018) Categories All This unusual food, invented by Dwarves, is made of magically-softened purple quartz crystals, and layers of loamy wafer and thick custard. The cake is sweet-tasting and very dense, with little bursts as the crystals pop under teeth. It is almost inedible by humans, elves, and the like, but is a great gift for creatures dwelling on the Elemental Plane of Earth, and is highly valued as a trade item there. The Dao Khans of the Elemental Plane of Earth trade valuable gems for even a small piece of this cake, and devour it greedily, given any opportunity. Stories tell that the Great Khan Kabril Ali al-Sara al-Zalazil once commissioned a cake as tall as his favourite wife, and traded a pile of rubies, just as tall, for the favour. (Originally posted on Game Masters Stash on 21 April 2018) Categories All This magnificently-decorated set of +1 full plate armour is fitted for a heavy warhorse, and shines in the sunlight. Its surface resists marking, whether by weapons, dust, or mud. This armour was made for a young king who attended tournaments often, and became neglected after many years of hard use. (Originally posted on Game Masters Stash on 20 April 2018) Categories All This armour dates to truly ancient times, even for a medieval fantasy setting. It was made in a time of much lighter armour, and less effective weapons. However, its enchantment has preserved it from lasting damage, and means that it is still protective to this day. All that can be gleaned about this armour from sages is that it was made for a warrior known as The Stratiotist (meaning warrior). The tongue and culture it belongs to are long lost. Statistics: treat this armour as +3 Studded Leather of Invulnerability (granting DR 5/magic). In addition, the wearer gains a +2 enhancement bonus to Intelligence while wearing the matching helmet, which assists to focus the mind and clarify strategy. (Originally posted on Game Masters Stash on 19 April 2018) Categories All Sirocco is a wickedly-sharp scimitar forged for an ancient Sultan. Its blade is inset with gold, its handle with mother-of-pearl, and its scabbard is set with precious emeralds. This blade is renowned as being so sharp, it can carve the first light of dawn. Statistics: +4 Keen scimitar. The handle of this sword is warm and dry at all times. As told, the blade can truly cut the first sunlight of dawn, splitting the light like a prism if presented edge-on. When it has been ‘charged’ in this way, Sirocco gains the ability to strike incorporeal opponents until the sun sets, as a Ghost Touch weapon. (Originally posted on Game Masters Stash on 18 April 2018) Categories All This beautiful woman was found (or can be found by your PCs) in the lair of a Basilisk. She was once a mage who desperately attempted to save herself from the monster by casting Stone to Flesh as its curse closed in. She was trapped forever in the stone state, able to move ever so slightly, but unable to escape or reverse the spell. In the decades since she was transformed, she has slipped into something of a fugue state, and her body was cut away, leaving just a marble bust. When she awakes, the Lady is distressed at the irreparable damage done to her body, but feels no pain, only the loss. She retains intelligence, but is only able to move her face through considerable effort, making conversation difficult. She is, however, curious about the world, and although she remembers little of her original identity, is fascinated by the current state of magical research. With sufficient care and extension of friendship, she may be able to teach old tricks or spells she recalls. Statistics: The Lady was originally a Chaotic Good 14th-level Wizard, with considerable Intelligence. Given her dedication to freedom and learning, she finds her current situation tragically ironic. (Originally posted on Game Masters Stash on 17 April 2018) Categories All This magical shortsword is ancient, effective, and timelessly reliable. It is at least three thousand years old, given the styling and manufacture, being forged of a single piece of bronze, but bears few nicks or marks. Statistics: +3 Keen shortsword. The blade casts Mending on itself once per day at midnight, without any action by the wielder. (Originally posted on Game Masters Stash on 16 April 2018) Categories All This jeweled chain bears three large emeralds in a gold setting. The wearer’s physical health is bolstered while this is worn, making them hardier, heal faster, and more able to endure pain. The wearer gains a +2 enhancement bonus to Constitution while this is worn. In addition, they gain a +2 enhancement bonus to any Will saves where their loyalty or fidelity would be affected. (Originally posted on Game Masters Stash on 15 April 2018) Categories All This heavy golden ring features a six-sided top, studded with glowing, chunky rubies. It feels uncomfortably warm to the touch, and often leaves the wearer’s skin reddened and a little tender underneath. This ring allows the wearer to conjure a ‘handful’ of flame, or scoop up some of an existing fire, and throw it, as the Produce Flame spell, three times per day (as a 5th-level caster). It also confers Fire Resistance 5.This heavy golden ring features a six-sided top, studded with glowing, chunky rubies. It feels uncomfortably warm to the touch, and often leaves the wearer’s skin reddened and a little tender underneath. This ring allows the wearer to conjure a ‘handful’ of flame, or scoop up some of an existing fire, and throw it, as the Produce Flame spell, three times per day (as a 5th-level caster). It also confers Fire Resistance 5. (Originally posted on Game Masters Stash on14 April 2018) Categories All This finely-spun red woolen cloak has embroidered patterns on the front, and buttons securely at the front.
It feels comfortably warm at all times, and dries quickly. While worn, this cloak grants a +1 resistance bonus on all saving throws. If it is taken off and shaken, any mud, water, or other materials in it come loose instantly. (Originally posted on Game Masters Stash on 13 April 2018) The King’s Huntsman is a very skilled tracker, hunter, and warrior. He is renowned for having tracked the passage of a falcon on a cloudy day, and is an implacable and irresistible pursuer. He serves the King out of ambition, knowing that it grants him access to the finest beasts and choicest quarry to hunt, as well as the King’s enemies, when he is unleashed. Although he likes society and the perks it brings him, he craves the purity of hunting a target and proving his superiority. The King has sent him after nobles who have fled his justice, or occasionally to one he suspects may try to flee, as a warning. Physical: As suits a keen warrior, the King’s Huntsman is in fine physical condition. He dresses to match the courtiers of the King’s court, but an expert eye will note that all of his clothing has been made to be more comfortable and hard-wearing, often with leather patches sewn in secretly. On the hunt, he dresses in plain leather hunting clothes. However, he always wears his sword, bow, and quiver. He is a practical, no-nonsense man who enjoys creature comforts. Statistics: The King’s Huntsman is a Lawful Evil 13th-level Ranger. He has excellent physical characteristics, and quite passable mental characteristics as well. He has a hunting dog which rarely leaves his side, a scarred hound which has brought down fully-armoured knights. Hooks: * The King’s Huntsman is sent to brings the PCs in for some kind of questioning about events which they participated in. Although he’s not trying to cause them harm, he will not put up with any nonsense from them... * The King’s Huntsman clashes with the PCs during a Court matter. He may threaten them with harm, or worse... and he has the skills and influence to get away with it. * The King’s Huntsman is a renowned hunter of humans, and eventually his bloodthirst may get the better of him. In this case, finding the evidence and proving his guilt will only be half the battle- finding him and bringing him to justice will be the harder part. (Originally posted on Game Masters Stash on 12 April 2018) Categories All Glacier is a cold-enchanted falchion, a puissant weapon in the hands of a competent wielder. It has a long and storied history, but was forged by a powerful vizier who slew a Qorrash (ice djinn) and bound its spirit into the blade. +4 Frost falchion. Once per day, the wielder can draw a line on the ground with the blade, which then becomes a Wall Of Ice (as a 12th-level caster). (Originally posted on Game Masters Stash on 11 April 2018) Categories All |
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