This spell allows the caster to briefly transform into a large flock of crows, relocating while avoiding damage.
Murderous Multitude Transmutation Level: Bard 2, Sorcerer/Wizard 3 Components: S, M Casting Time: 1 standard action Range: Personal Duration: 1 round + 1 round / 5 levels Saving Throw: None Spell Resistance: No By flourishing a shiny platinum coin, the wearer becomes enveloped by a large group of crows, and swiftly becomes a swarm of birds filling a 10-foot square area which can fly at a speed of 40 feet per round, with good maneouverability. The swarm of crows takes half damage from any non-area attacks. Material component: A shiny platinum coin. Also posted on Game Masters Stash on 9 June 2019. Profaners were once loyal clerics, who had more ardor for material wealth and pleasures of the flesh than they did in faithfulness. Cursed for their perfidy, they have become abominable creatures, repulsive to all who witness them, and despised by all the gods.
Profaners slither about their former temples upon loathsome tentacles, often still clothed in remnants of their religious finery and bearing their ceremonial objects and marks of their station. They radiate a strong aura of unholiness, which affects even followers of evil gods, and have mastery over many unholy creatures. Statistics: Profaners are 12-Hit Die Aberrations, with the spellcasting ability of a 9th-level evil Cleric. They radiate a constant Desecrate aura. When engaged in combat, their tentacles lash out at opponents, inflicting crushing damage and negative energy damage at the same time, and infecting targets with filth fever. How you can use Profaners in your game: - A priest who has forsaken their vows has become a Profaner, and their once-faithful congregation have become undead ghoulish horrors inhabiting their old temple. They prey on any people passing by, and the city authorities are desperate for the monsters to be exorcised from the former holy site. - An ancient city ruled by a Priest-Lord was struck down for its sins, and all of its priests were transformed into Profaners, including the Cardinal (now a bloated 25-Hit Die creature of tremendous size, inhabiting the old public baths). Its treasure vaults are loaded with goods, but the city is treacherous and lethal. Also posted on Game Masters Stash on 8 June 2019. The Altar of Change is a sacred place to Bleddyn, Princet of Permutation and Chaplet of Change. Here, followers can appeal for their form to be changed, as was Bleddyn themself in their mortal life.
Bleddyn began mortal life as a Halfling, and was transformed after his first death into the form of an Elf. Following their second death, they were changed again into an undead construct at the behest of Nïa, now the goddess of death, before they attained their true form in Godhood. As such, it is a sacred ritual of Bleddyn's faith that changing form 'kills' the original and allows them to find a new life- as a different gender, different race, or even different forms entirely. At the Altar of Change, followers gather to comfort one another and counsel through their choices to ensure that their holy change is not regretted. Together, they pray for sacred cleansing of spirit to assist in an easy transition, often through distraction. Bleddyn was an expert archer in life, and this pursuit is common among followers, as it encourages focus and being able to be flexible in approach. Effects: When enough followers gather, they can appeal for a Polymorph effect upon the subject who requests it. They treat this very solemnly, and part of the ritual involves Atonement for any past sins. How you can use the Altar of Change in your game: - A player character who desires change (whether gender, race, or something else) or wants to retire their character and start a new one, can attend one of the Altars of Change to assume a different form. The initiates of Bleddyn's faith will speak with them to be sure of their intentions beforehand. - A villain who has fled from the PCs has run to one of these Altars and forced the initiates to change their form. It is sacred to their faith that the Changed are forgiven any of their previous crimes, but they definitely continue to feel threat from their new companion. The PCs will have to investigate to find out which one of the initiates is actually a threat to them. - Bleddyn is also open to the idea of enhancing particularly faithful followers, merely building on their existing form by adding additional strength (or similar effects), or allowing them to shift their shape at will. These are known as "Bleddyn's Altarations", as the Princet of Permutation was especially fond of puns in their mortal form. Also posted on Game Masters Stash on 7 June 2019. The Knights Incandescent are a progressive and effective new order of warriors sworn to combat demons and creatures of the Hells in all their forms. They decorate their armour with radiant colours, enchanted to blaze brilliantly in the presence of evil.
The Knights were founded by a rogue Solar who grew frustrated with the ways of the Heavenly Choir, and wished to see more direct mortal action against evil outsiders. Unlike many other knightly orders, they reject tradition and sombreness, preferring to live "out loud" and in plain view. They are sometimes rightly called "brash" or "arrogant" by others, but are undeniably popular, especially among young adults. Statistics: The Knights Incandescent are an order of Paladins and holy warriors, mostly young and confident. Their founder, the Solar Raduriel, walks among them in human form, and personally shepherds the growth and teachings of new members. Those invited to walk with the order for some time as 'potentials' often feel overwhelming excitement and humility at the honour of being called. They wear armour which glows in the presence of evil outsiders, and believe that to cover this would be denying their own calling. This makes them not great at any missions which require subterfuge, but popular, charismatic, and highly visible warriors of good. They also engage in many works of social justice, such as sheltering and feeding the homeless, and advancing civilization's tolerances. How you can use the Knights Incandescent in your game: - A player character may be invited to join the order as a 'potential', and might even be interviewed by Raduriel herself. She is probing and very insightful, and will weed out undesirable candidates. She does have a weakness, which is her prejudice against Tieflings and the like, which might cause friction in the order itself. - A chapter-house of the Knights Incandescent is located in a city under siege. Although the Knights do battle against the invaders, they are also concerned with the damage being done to the common folk of the city, and might petition adventurers to assist with re-homing them, or even escorting them to safety. - A player character might be descended from an early member of the Knights Incandescent, who may pursue the player as a potential legacy member. Also posted on Game Masters Stash on 6 June 2019. The Sanguine Warden is one of the Ten Thousand Kings of Hell. In mortal life, he was a royal guardsman who betrayed his liege for the promise of power. Instead, he died betrayed and alone, his name cursed by all who loved him.
His domain in the Hells is one of constant paranoia, where nerves jangle at the slightest sound and every motion means danger in the dimness. The Sanguine Warden is a puissant warrior when disturbed, and keeps his forces marshaled constantly and at a fatiguing level of readiness. Statistics: The Sanguine Warden's statistics are equivalent to those of a Pit Fiend, lacking wing and tail attacks, but wearing +4 full plate armour and bearing a +5 Keen halberd. The Sanguine Warden's followers' eyes stay open during sleep, allowing them to remain unsurprised while they rest. How you can use The Sanguine Warden in your game: - As a patron for Warlocks, the Sanguine Warden favours physical might and powers over enchantment and subterfuge. - The followers of the Sanguine Warden are likely to be involved in a plot to overthrow power centres. They scheme constantly for power, but often fail before can attain it. Also posted on Game Masters Stash on 5 June 2019. A Groveheart is a fabled creature which is said to emerge from the deepwoods when matters are dire, and impart wisdom from the old forest.
Grovehearts are mighty and enormous creatures, shaped of colossal twisted roots. They glow from within with the life-force of the forest, and often shape a face in their upper extremities so that mortal folk can speak to them. They have ancient enlightenment to share for those who can find them. Statistics: A Groveheart is a 50-Hit Die Plant, with the spellcasting ability of a 25th-level Druid. They constantly maintain a Commune With Nature effect when they are not in combat. How you can use a Groveheart in your game: - Player Characters might be sent on a mission to locate where a Groveheart rests and awake it, seeking out its wisdom for a difficult decision to be made by the nearby city elders. - A dangerous monster such as a Dragon endangers the forest, and seeking the aid of a Groveheart seems to be the only way to stop it. They must evade the battle as the titans clash and seek out vital spots. - In an area where the forests have become corrupted, this might reflect back onto the Groveheart, transforming it into a diseased monster. Trying to destroy such a creature before it can be unleashed onto the armies of civilized people. Also posted on Game Masters Stash on 4 June 2019. The Ring of Stars functions as an astronomer's tool, conjurer's aid, and powerful magical boost.
It is made of heavily detailed gold, and features several concentric rings, pivoting on cleverly-concealed pins. When folded out, it bears astrological emblems and carefully-inscribed words of protection for the wearer. Statistics: When worn, the ring grants its wearer Protection vs. Chaos, Evil, Good, and Law, as well as a +2 deflection bonus to Armour Class. When it is taken off and unfolded, the wearer may consult it for a +4 bonus on Knowledge (the Planes) checks. How you can use a Ring of The Stars in your game: -A powerful Astrologer-wizard bears this, and might entrust it to a trusted servant if their mission is important. - The Ring of the Stars is a valuable magic item, guarded by a Death Knight who cannot bear its presence. He seeks out challengers who might be able to end his accursed life, and taunts them with this item. - Adventurers who travel the Planes might seek out a set of these rings to protect themselves from the effects of creatures they will have to combat. Also posted on Game Masters Stash on 3 June 2019. No-one enjoys an ending without getting to confront the bad guys they've been chasing the whole time, it's just disappointing to have something else swoop in and end the campaign. So, how can you make sure that make your ending is satisfying?
First of all, if you've done your job, and your players are invested in the outcome, that's great! You've done your job right, and it gives you somewhere to go after this. If you get to this point, and they don't care, then maybe it's easiest to just finish up and be done. Getting them to the right place and the right time takes a lot of effort on your behalf, and you need to remember how much you've accomplished already. Second, use some minion-type enemies to let your players use some of their cool abilities cutting through swathes of their foes. This lets them have their "big damn heroes" moments, where they feel unstoppable and badass. You can scatter through some sub-bosses to really challenge them, but this is an opportunity to weather them down on spells, abilities, and hit points. Then, let them get their big chance. Reach the end bad guys, even if you have to give people some protection to get them there. Let them get in some villainous monologuing and heroic defiance at each other, and then let them duke it out! It doesn't have to be a fight, but letting your bad guys do something other than cowering in their palace while they're slaughtered means that your players will feel like they've accomplished their goal. Lastly, win or lose, you need the storyline to have an impact. Be able to give your players an outcome of what happens to them, to the towns and people they care about, to the other villains that got away. If the bad guy wins, advance the storyline so you're ready for your next campaign as freedom-fighters in an oppressive hellscape, or however you go with it. If your players defeat the bad guys, give them the chance to struggle back to whatever passes for normalcy. Also posted on Game Masters Stash on 2 June 2019. Sir Morgomonde is an entertainer and brawler, a favourite of the King's court. He is willing to make a mockery of his own prowess, and eager to be a beloved darling of the crowd during a grand melee. He rides without a helmet, the better to be recognized and wear his bruises as badges of honour.
Morgomonde laughs off his wounds and enjoys the care of attentive folk. The other knights of the court have little regard for Morgomonde, and find his antics make a mockery of their skill. However, he is actually a fine warrior, and is likely to be underestimated by anyone who targets the warriors of the King's court. Statistics: Sir Morgomonde is a Chaotic Good 4th-level Fighter and 3rd-level Bard, with performance skills in acting and tomfoolery. He laughs off others' reliance on honour and order, and values doing the best possible thing for all conerned, without regard for "righteousness". How you can use Sir Morgomonde in your game: - As a knighted warrior of the court, Sir Morgomonde has the right to swagger and bear his laurels proudly. He does occasionally emerge victorious in a duel or melee, and bears his winnings away to distribute to the commoners of the crowd. He is well-loved by common folk and nobles alike for his scoundrelous spirit. - If some tragedy or evil plot strikes down the other knights of the court, Sir Morgomonde will likely be ignored. He may be the only one who can assist your Player Characters, likely squires and pages, or other low-ranking members of the court. - Sir Morgomonde might also befriend PCs who are not known for their honour, and might be a surprise mentor for a low-level PC in the court. Also posted on Game Masters Stash on 1 June 2019. |
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