World of Onn

Turning Undead in Onn

2012-01-27T11:13:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd share a small slice of one of the changes for the Revised Core Rules - Clerics and Divine Champions versus the Undead.

Clerics and Divine Champions Turn Undead by rolling 3d6 plus theirWisdom adjustment and cross reference the result according to their level andthe number rolled on the chart. Successful turnings have a 30 ft radiuscentered on the character and any creature to be affected must be able to seethem. A successful turning attempt affects 1d6 HD of undead, plus an additional1d6 per point of the Cleric’s Charisma adjustment. A minimum of 1 creature willbe turned on a successful attempt. The creatures in the area of effect will beturned from the weakest to the strongest if different types of undead are inthe area. Turned undead are forced to retreat outside area of effect - if theycannot, they will move as far away as possible and only attack to defendthemselves.

If the Cleric scores double or greater than the number needed to turn,he destroys up to the number of HDindicated. If triple the number needed is scored he destroys an additional 1d6HD of undead creatures and if quadruple the needed score is reached, anadditional 2d6 HD are destroyed.

For example – Jana theAdept (3rd level Cleric) possesses a Wisdom of 15 (+1) and Charisma of 17 (+2)She encounters 7 Skeletons and 2 ghouls Winning Initiative, she moves to within30 ft of them all and pronounces the evil possessing the undead to be drivenoff. Her turn check is a 14 on 3d6+1, and her number affected is 12 HD rolledon 3d6 (1d6, plus an additional d6 for each point of her Charisma adjustment).Jana has doubled the score of the roll needed to turn the Skeletons, so all 7of them vaporize in the holy light of her Deity, leaving 5 HD for the Ghouls. Only 1 ghoul is turned,leaving the other unaffected. Each Ghoul has 3 HD, and the remaining 5 HD ofJana’s number affected will only affect one of them, the partial HD left havingno effect on the remaining Ghoul.

Clerics versus Undead Table

Undead HD	Clr 1	Clr 2	Clr 3	Clr 4	Clr 5
<1 HD	10	7	4	4	4
1 HD	13	10	7	4	4
2 HD	16	13	10	7	4
3-4 HD	19	16	13	10	7
5 HD	22	19	16	13	10
6 HD	-	22	19	16	13

Using Monster XP as XP Needed

2012-01-01T23:03:00.000-05:00

Everyone has seen and/or created their perfect 'Class Creator' for their game system. They take into account most aspects of the classes and assign point values to each ability in order to custom build classes players may want to play.

This isn't one of those things, lol. I took the monster XPV chart and the adjustments used for monster abilities and built the class XP values for each level through 10th. This is all highly a mental exercise for fun, but if you consider that a HD is a HD no matter the values and spellcasting and combat ability balance out, here is how I assigned the adjustments:

Cleric - Starts out on the Class B Level monster line (equivelent to 1-1 HD), +1 for turning ability, +1 for 1st/2nd level spells, +1 for 3rd/4th level spells, +1 for 5th level spells.

Fighting-man - Starts out on the 1 HD line, +1 for combat ability.

Magic-user - Starts out on the Class A Level monster line (equivelent to 1/2 HD), +1 for 1st/2nd level spells, +1 for 3rd/4th level spells, +1 for 5th level spells.

Keep in mind I'm using the Onn XPV chart (adapted from Swords & Wizardry Core Rules), but the XP chart looks like this:

If Characters needed the XP they are worth as Monsters to Advance

Level	Cleric	Fighting-man	Magic-user
1	0	0	0
2	120	60	60
3	240	120	120
4	400	240	240
5	800	400	600
6	1,100	600	800
7	1,700	800	1,100
8	2,000	1,100	1,400
9	2,500	1,400	2,000
10	3,000	1,700	2,500

Something on my Mind

2011-12-16T01:16:00.001-05:00

In the past, I've had long go-round discussions with my group about the way to find a character-power versus monster-power 'balance'. I've seen some real good dissections of HD vs Level vs Monster Lovel, but I'm wondering what the classes would look like if they were built in the same way monsters were instead of the mostly arbitrary charts we've come to know.

Over the weekend I'll post more in this!

The World of Onn Forum

2011-12-01T00:44:00.001-05:00

I decided to let the World of Onn/Rifthaven forum go. In case anyone had it booked marked, don't fret. Onn is still going strong and coming along as I hoped it would.

(or, as most would say, behind still and causing me fits, lol)

Hit Points as Real Damage, Part II

2011-11-30T22:57:00.001-05:00

In the last post, small changes to how healing worked were introduced into the current system of Onn and in general any retro- or oldschool-style game. I say small, but also far reaching due to the fact that hit points are a central part of the game, as is their loss and recovery.

Damage and Death is the way hit points are lost (obviously). Individual Referees may desire to come up with systems of their own to simulate the declining health of an adventurer as they lose hit points, but for the scope of Onn, the fact they are getting so close to death is enough for this one.

If a character is reduced to 0 hit points exactly, he is unconscious but stable. If left alone long enough, the character may recover or die on his own (Referees are free to adjucate this to what best fits their game).

Under 0 hit points, a character is considered dying from internal and/or external damage. Each round the character rolls a Toughness saving throw with his negative hit point total applied as a penalty to the roll. If he fails the roll he takes an additional point of damage; suceeding the roll places him stable at 0 hit points.

Characters reaching a negative hit point total equal to their maximum 1st level hit points are dead.

If a character heals naturally or is magically healed back to positive hit points, he suffers a -4 penalty to all die rolls until he has a full day of rest.

Natural Healing is the most often neglected recovery method of hit points. In worlds where magical healing is available, natural recovery is often moot or all but forgotten. Characters regain their Constitution's Natural Healing rate for each day of rest. Rest is considered non-stressful activity (equipment upkeep, foraging, small game hunting, sitting around or praying/studying, etc) no matter where the character is. Adventurers don't need a warm bed and cushy settings to be considered resting (though of course it is the most preferred!).

Now, if a character spends 2 weeks in a civilized location and comfortable while under the care of another tending to him, he regains full hit points at the end of the 2 week period regardless of how hurt he is.

Fast Healing is a weaker form of regeneration (that all-too-familiar property of Trolls). Characters with Fast Healing heal the indicated rate regardless of their activity level until they reach 0 hit points...at that point the body is too damaged to continue to repair itself.

Magical Healing is the most common form of healing adventurers encounter. The 4 healing spells Clerics, Druids, Divine Champions and Rangers have access to in the World of Onn would look like so:

Cure Light Wounds*

Spell Level:Cleric/Druid, 1st Level

Range: Touch

Duration: Instant

Immediately cures wounds on the target equal to 1 point, plus the target's natural healing rate. Optionally, this spellcan remove paralysis but when cast in this fashion no damage is cured.

An evil reversal ofthis spell allows an Anti-cleric to cause light wounds for 1+1d6 damage if hesuccessfully strikes the victim with a +2 bonus on the ‘to-hit’ roll.

Cure Serious Wounds*

Spell Level:Cleric/Druid, 4th Level

Range: Touch

Duration: Instant

Immediately cures wounds on the targetequal to 4 points, plus double the dice of the target’s natural healing rate. Optionally, thisspell can remove paralysis, cure blindness or deafness but when cast in one ofthese fashions no damage is cured.

An evil reversal ofthis spell allows an Anti-cleric to cause 4+2d6 points of damage if hesuccessfully strikes the victim with a +2 bonus on the ‘to-hit’ roll.

Healing Circle*

Spell Level: Cleric/Druid, 5th Level

Range: Self

Duration:Instantaneous

This spellheals the caster and all allies in a 10 ft radius around the caster of 4 points, plusdouble the target’s natural healing rate. Optionally, this spell can removeparalysis, cure blindness or deafness in an ally at the caster’s desire, butwhen these maladies are removed only 1 point, plus the target’s natural healingrate are cured for that individual.

An evil reversal ofthis spell allows an Anti-cleric to cause a circle of wounds inflicting 4+2d6points of damage to all enemies in a 10 ft radius around the caster.

Cure Critical Wounds*

Spell Level:Cleric/Druid, 7th Level

Range: Touch

Duration: Instant

Immediately cures wounds on the targetequal to 16 points, plus quadruple the target’s natural healing rate. Optionally,this spell can remove paralysis, cure blindness or deafness but when cast inone of these fashions no damage is cured.

An evil reversal ofthis spell allows an Anti-cleric to cause 16+4d6 points of damage if hesuccessfully strikes the victim with a +2 bonus on the ‘to-hit’ roll.

Hit Points as Real Damage

2011-11-28T00:56:00.000-05:00

Working off the supposition that Hit Points are purely how much damage a creature can sustain before being killed, the Constitution ability can serve as more than just a Hit Point adjustment for hit dice gained when levelling up. Constitution can be used to affect natural healing as well in a definable way.

Ability Score	Adjustment	Natural Healing	Fast Healing
1	-4	1	-
2	-3	1	-
3-4	-2	1	-
5-8	-1	d2	-
9-12	-	d3	-
13-14	+1	d4	-
15	+1	d6	-
16	+1	d6	-
17	+2	d8	-
18	+2	d8	-
19	+3	d10	1/hour
20	+4	d10	1/turn

Like normal, Adjustment affects the amount of Hit Points per HD the character has. Natural Healing is the amount of hit points a character regains for a day of rest, while Fast Healing is a slower but similar ability of regeneration.

Likewise, Clerical healing magic would work by using the character's Natural Healing rate. The more robust/tough/quick to mend/etc the character is, the more damage healing magic repairs, speeding up the recovery of wounds through holy power, like so:

Cure Light Wounds

Spell Level:Cleric, 1st Level

Range: Touch

Duration: Instant

Immediately cures wounds and injuriesequaling 1 point, plus the recipient’s natural healing rate. Optionally, thisspell can remove paralysis but when cast in this fashion no damage is cured.

So a Cleric casting Cure Light on a character with an average Constitution (9-12) heals 1+1d3 hit points of damage, while a more robust individual (Constitution 15-16) would be healed 1+1d6 points of damage.

Other Class Options for Fighting-men

2011-11-27T15:19:00.001-05:00

If a Fighting-man decides not toestablish a stronghold at 9th level, he may opt to become a Druidic Knight, Knight, Paladin,or Warlock if he possess therequisite ability scores and meets any other requirements.

Druidic Knights are fighting-menthat have an affinity for Nature and revere one of the Nature deities. Tobecome a Druidic Knight, a fighting-man must possess a 13 Wisdom and 12Constitution and be on good terms with a Druidic Circle or Ranger Order.

The character must approach the Circle orOrder and make an offer of at least 10,000 gp and/or 2-5 permanent useful magicitems given as a gift, they will train him to use the abilities of Wilderness Lore, Pass without Trace and FastMovement. In addition they will teach him to use druidic orisons and cast 2/0/0 Druid spells perday as a 3rd level caster, but he cannot do so while wearing predominantlymetal armor.

In exchange for this, the Druidic Knightswears fealty to the group and must assist its members in times of need. He canexpect sanctuary at any place held or friendly to the group

Knights are travellingfighting-men that swear fealty to a nobleman, such as a Duke or Lord or even aKing or Emperor. Knights travel the realms, upholding the Laws and undertakingquests for their liege. They spend large amounts of time participating inTourneys as well, showcasing their martial skills against their equals for landand monetary prizes.

Due to the even more highly regimentedmartial training Knights receive, they gain 2 additional Combat Options andattack at +1 Attack Rank.

In exchange for the oath of allegiance, aKnight can expect sanctuary in any establishment in his liege’s region. TheKnight is expected to provide shelter and comfort to other Knights of his liegeas well. If a Call to Arms is made,the Knight is expected to make haste to his liege’s rally point and performwhatever duties his liege needs of him.

Knights may be granted baronies after along service or particularly important quest and can found a stronghold at thattime.

Paladins are Fighting-mendedicated to a non-nature deity. Similar to Divine Champions, Paladins are moremilitaristic and kick-in the door types who are trained to take action in thename of the Gods. If there is evil, a Paladin will surely be charged withending its existence. To be a Paladin, a Fighting-man must have never performedan overtly evil act in his career. He must possess a Strength 12, Wisdom 13,Constitution 14 and Charisma 15.

The character must approach a religiousorder and make an offer of at least 10,000 gp and/or 2-5 permanent useful magicitems given as a gift. If accepted, they will train him to use the abilities ofCure Light Wounds (as the spell)once per day and Cure Disease and Dispel Evil (as the spells) once perweek each. In addition they will teach him to use clerical orisons and cast 2/0/0 Cleric spells per day as a 3rd level caster.

Warlocks are fighting-menthat have some measure of arcane talent, but eschewed the path of theMagic-user for the more martial arts. Misunderstood as making pacts with demonsor other dark powers for their arcane ability by most commoners that learn of theirabilities, Warlocks are actually extremely willful warriors that are trained toreach out and harness their Ethereal fields and bend it to their martialskills. To be a Warlock, prospective Fighting-men must possess Strength 12,Intelligence 14 and Charisma 13.

The character must find a Magic-user orMagical College to learn the basics of spellcraft. In exchange for a gift of5,000gp and 7-16 magical items in their search for arcane mastery, Warlocks aretaught the ability of Prestidigitationand in the casting of 2/0/0 Magic-user spells per day as a 3rd level caster. Warlockscan cast their spells only while unarmored, or if they are wearing non-magical Lightarmor or any magical armor. In addition, they may fire a bolt of magical energyonce per round that inflicts 1d6 + Charisma adjustment in magical damage andcan imbue their shield with magical energy that absorbs pure magical damage attacks,such as magic missile spells.

Multiclassing in Onn

2011-11-26T11:44:00.001-05:00

Here's a simple set of multiclassing rules that has drawn on B/X and its race as class rules.

Characters with a 15 or greater in more than 1 classes’ Prime Attributescore have the ability to perform in more than one class at a time, due tonatural talent in the diverse training they require. These types of charactersare called Multiclassed Characters.Characters begin play as a multiclassed character at 1st level.

Multiclassed characters have their own experience chart and hitdice progression. When a multiclassed character earns enough experience, headvances in level in both of his classes at the same time. When a multiclassedcharacter reaches his level limit in any of his classes, he ceases to advancein that class but continues to advance in the other.

Multiclassed characters use the best attack rolls table allowed tohis classes and levels. These characters also use the best saving throwsallowed by virtue of all his classes and current levels.

The armor and weapon restrictions of a multiclass character areat the referee's discretion. In general the most restrictive weapon restrictions are used forreligious (Cleric and Druid) characters, while multiclassed Magic-user classescan make use of any other classes’ weapons, but are restricted to no armor use. What classes can be combined are up to each referee's campaign.

There are 2 exceptions to this rule:

· Multiclass elven Magic-users can wear magical Light armor withoutany restriction to spellcasting ability.

· Multiclass gnomish Illusionists can wear magical Light armorwithout any restriction to spellcasting ability.

Multiclass Charcter XP Chart
Level (HD) XPNEEDED
1 (1d6) 0
2 (2d6) 3,000
3 (3d6) 6,000
4 (4d6) 9,000
5 (-) 12,000
6 (5d6) 25,000
7 (6d6) 50,000
8 (7d6) 75,000
9 (-) 150,000
10 (8d6) 300,000
11 (-) 450,000
12 (9d6) 600,000
13 (-) 750,000
14 (-) 900,000
15 (10d6) 1,050,000

Sorry Folks!

2011-10-14T23:08:00.000-04:00

Sorry the posting has way slowed down the last few months! Please be patient as I turn the corner into the homestretch of the Revised Core Rules for Onn! I'll begin posting up alot more in the coming weeks and get things back on track!

James

Percentage Based Skills - 2nd Look

2011-08-28T00:13:00.000-04:00

About a month ago I presented a percentage-based skill system that converted all the x-in-6 chances from OD&D and what I used in their d12 conversion for Onn Core Rules. Having been playtested by a friend of mine, Tom, and his gaming group for the last month, here is the refined system:

Characters begin play with a base score of 8 + the character's relevant ability score + any additional adjustments (such as racial adjustment) = the base % chance of success.

For example, Cedric the Elf Magic-user has an Intelligence score of 16. His chance to Detect Hidden (secret doors and the like) is 8 base + 16 Int = 24%. Because he is an elf he gains an additional +10% to this particular skill for a total of 24 + 10 = 34%.

When a character advances each level beyond 1st level, he adds 3 + his Intelligence adjustment and multiplies the result by 5. This number is the amount of skill points he can distribute among his skills as he sees fit, so long as no skill recieves more than 10 points.

For example, Cedric reaches 2nd level as a Magic-user. He gains 3 + 1 (Int adj) = 4 x 5 = 20 points to distribute among his skills. He decides his Detect Hidden has been very useful and allocates 10 points to it, raising it up to a 44% and distributes the remaining 10 points into his other skills.

[OPTIONAL] The Referee or player keeps track of how many times the characters use their skills successfully and relevantly for the game session. Once per session a player may declare he is trying to improve the skills a character has successfully used. For this roll, the player attempts to FAIL the skill check (rolling higher than their chance of success) and gains a +1 bonus to the roll for each tracked use of the skill being improved. If this reverse check is failed, the character gains a permanent +1% to their chance of success. Succeed or fail, the player wipes all tracked uses out and begins tracking anew.

Our elf Cedric's player decides to start tracking his character's skill uses with the Referee's approval. A couple hours into the session, the party hits a dead end and according to their mapper must be at the location of a secret door (based on what they found previously). Everyone in the party fails to find it. Cedric's player declares he is thinking back to all of the lessons his mentor taught him on how to stay safe and find very hidden things. The Referee tells Cedric's player he has 4 relevant skill checks for Detect Hidden so far and the player casts the dice against his 44%. He rolls a 41% and adds his +4 for his 4 relevant uses so far for a total of 45%. Failing the check, he gains a +1 to his chance of success in the future and is granted a reroll with his new score of 45%.

Typical use of this system is rolling equal to or under your chance of success (just like using Thief skills in older editions of the game). Onn doesnt have Thieves though, so this system also doubles for those players that likes those percentage dice.

NO SKILL SYSTEM SHOULD EVER DICTATE THE FUN YOU ARE HAVING!!! IF A PLAYER GIVES YOU A THOUGHTFUL EXPLANATION OF SOMETHING COVERED BY SKILL USE AND YOU CAN'T SEE A REASONABLE EXPLANATION WHY HE SHOULD FAIL, THEN DON'T ROLL THE DICE! One trap is to over use the dice and make skill checks for everything under the sun. Some games run fine this way, but don't change your playstyle to accomodate a system...adjust the system for your playstyle.

XP Charts - Re-tweak

2011-08-27T23:18:00.002-04:00

After playing the older games and retro-games for nearly 30 years, I understand better how the XP charts of the various classes made them characters of as nearly equal power as you can be when combining magical ability and non-magical ability. It didn't make then the same LEVEL but rather gave the feel that the classes were of the same approximate power level at similar XP TOTALS. One thing difficult to quantify though is magic use. With the various effects that magic can produce, a true balance is an illusion (seriously, how do you compare a Fighting-man's combat ability to a Magic-user's spellcasting ability...apples and mangos).

After some experimenting with my PbP games and asking a friend that plays in another group to try it a few months ago, I modified the XP charts somewhat after getting their feedback:

CHARACTER CLASS XP NEEDED TO LEVEL

Level	Bard	Cleric	Fighting-man	Magic-user	Shao Disciple
1	0	0	0	0	0
2	1,250	1,500	1,625	2,500	2,000
3	2,500	3,500	3,250	5,000	4,000
4	5,000	6,500	7,500	10,000	9,000
5	10,000	14,000	15,000	20,000	18,000
6	20,000	30,000	30,000	40,000	36,000
7	40,000	60,000	60,000	60,000	75,000
8	60,000	110,000*	90,000	80,000	150,000*
9	100,000*	220,000	120,000*	100,000	300,000
10	200,000	330,000	240,000	125,000	450,000
11	300,000	440,000	360,000	150,000*	600,000
12	400,000	550,000	480,000	300,000	750,000
13	500,000	660,000	600,000	450,000	900,000
14	600,000	770,000	720,000	600,000	1,050,000
15	700,000	880,000	840,000	750,000	1,200,000

Clerics also includes Druids.
Fighting-men also includes Barbarians, Divine Champions, Rangers and Spellblades.
Magic-users also includes Illusionists.
* Denotes 'Name' Level - where a character with the class ability may found a stronghold. Characters' HD progressions also slow down at this level as well and XP needed is a flat amount. Most classes do not gain any new class abilities after this level.

Another view on Skills

2011-07-29T14:31:00.001-04:00

Sometimes you can have too much time on your hands to think but never enough to do anything with it. I've been commuting 2 hours back and forth to work in Virginia the last 5 weeks and during that drive and sitting in traffic alot of great (in my mind) things have come out, but since I'm driving no real way to capture the details (something about the police around the Baltimore/DC frowns on out of state people doing things besides just driving, I dunno).

Anyways, everyone that knows me knows I have this love for the red-head stepchild d12. Using Onn's Ability Score adjustments of +/-2, you have more leeway for adjusting the results of a d12 then a d6 when making some kind of dungeoneering skill check. For those frowning now and about to think 'oldschool D&D' didn't have such things and this new school crap doesn't have a place in D&D or its clones, I'll simply say generally in the B/X and OD&D rules, most things had a flat 2-in-6 chance of success (with some Referees houseruling ability adjustments can affect this) and even Gary and Dave and other founding greats used ability checks and other systems to determine success of certain things considered 'skills'.

But enough of digression, if you're still reading you want me to get to the crunchy bits of the post. So I made Onn's 'Dungeoneering Skills' a d12 when I wrote the Core Rules. With the small modifiers ability scores have and the chances to do things (converted directly from the x-in-6 chance) it worked well as a flat system, but offers little room for growth for characters well-practiced (after levels and levels of doing them).

Early D&D and its clones and retro-games are all based around percentages, even if 'funky' dice are used. 2-in-6 = 33%, elves and their 4-in-6 chance to detect secret doors = 66%, heck even hobbits had a high percentage chance (depending on the version of the game, as high as 90%) to remain unseen outdoors. Since D&D-type games are class and level based, organic growth like a skills-based game dont work very well hand in hand normally. I've seen some houserules for combat and magic that severed the ties to class and level that looks very fun and dynamic.

One thing I thought up while I was driving back and forth was a percentage-based skills system. This is thoroughly untested (so far) but a short discussion with my home gaming group refined what was in my head to this:

1) Characters begin play with a base of 8% + the skill's relevant Ability Score.

Example: if a character has an Intelligence score of 13, his ability to Pick Locks would be 21% (8+13) at 1st level.

Races and classes that have any bonuses to skills would multiply the bonus by 4 and add the result to their base chance of success.

2) During the course of a game session, the players keep track of successful relevant uses of their skills (dictated by the Referee). At the end of the session, the player rolls a check for each skill he used, adding +1% for each relevant use to his chance of success, but subtracting each level attained. If the check is a success, the player adds +1% to his chance of success.

Example: Our lock picking character has 6 successful attempts under his belt the Referee allowed him to record. At the end of the session, he rolls a Lock Picking check against a 27% chance of success (base 21+6). If successful, his base chance rises from 21% to 22%.

3) When a character attains levels beyond 1st level, he gains (3+Int adj) x 5 percentage points at each level. The points can be distributed as the player sees fit, but no more than 5% can be added to a skill at each level.

Example: Our character with the 13 Intelligence has a +1 adjustment. On attaining 2nd level, he gains 20 points ((3+1)x5) to distribute among his skills. He decides lock picking has been a useful skill so he allocates 5% to it, raising it up from a 22% to a 27%.

Using percentages allows the Referee more latitude in assessing bonuses and penalties and allows for some more organic growth without breaking the bank, so to speak.

Shao Disciple Combat Options

2011-07-06T23:59:00.000-04:00

Originally, Shao Disciples were granted access to the Fighting-man's Combat Options. In a further design to make them more than 'poor man fighters', they have been given their own list of combat options, some from the familiar Fighting-man Options and some unique for the class.

Disciple Combat Options (4th level): The character can select one of the Combat Options listed below (similar to the Fighting-man Combat Options). At 8th, 12th and 16th levels an additional option may be taken.

· Cleaving Strike - If you kill a melee opponent of 1 HD or more, you can make an immediate free attack on another opponent within your melee reach, but no more than once per round.

· Combat Defense - You can voluntarily take a penalty on you ‘to hit’ rolls up to the value of your Bonus to Hit (pg XX, to a maximum of -4) and gain this penalty as a bonus to armor class until you decide to end the defensive stance.

· Critical Strike - You quickly determine weaknesses you can see in your opponent. You can score a critical hit on a natural roll of ‘19’ (if you can hit your opponent) and ‘20’.

· Disarm - The character can attempt to remove his opponent’s weapon from his grasp. If the character makes a successful attack no damage is inflicted. The victim must make a Dodge saving throw with half the attacker’s level applied as a penalty or his weapon falls 1d10 ft distant.

· Deflect Magical Missiles (12th+ Level) - The character can us one of his Ki Strikes to enable his Deflect Missiles ability to deflect any ranged spell attack that requires a ‘to hit’ roll for 4 rounds. The saving throw also applies the spell’s level as a penalty.

· Eagle Claw – When fighting unarmed, you add your Wisdom adjustment to damage as well as Strength.

· Flying Kick - When fighting unarmed and charging, you deal an extra 1d6 points of damage with your unarmed attack.

· Grenadier - When using grenade-like weapons you lessen all range penalties by 2.

· Holding the Line - If an opponent charges and moves through your attack area, your free attack will halt their charge if it is successful and they fail a Toughness saving throw.

· Ki Blast - The character uses one of his Ki Strikes for the day to fire a blast of life energy with the same range as a sling. Damage inflicted is equal to unarmed strike dice.

· Kiai Shout – instead of attacking, you can focus your Ki once per encounter and make a war cry that will make 1d3 of your closest opponents flee for 1d8 rounds if they fail an Ego saving throw.

· Manyshot - You can make a bonus missile weapon attack each round by hurrying your reload at the expense of accuracy. Your regular attacks suffer a -2 penalty ‘to hit’ and the bonus attack suffers a -4.

· Melee Archer - When throwing or firing a missile weapon while in melee combat, the character does not generate a free attack from his melee opponent(s).

· Monkey Grip – You are trained in a unique grip that allows you to wield two-handed weapons (except pole-arms) as one-handed weapons in your primary hand. Attacking in this fashion carries a –2 penalty on all ‘to hit’ rolls made with the weapon.

· Mounted Archery - You are proficient in fighting from horseback, moving wagons or chariots with missile weapons and do not suffer penalties for unstable conditions.

· Mounted Combat - You are proficient in fighting from horseback, moving wagons or chariots with melee weapons other than the spear or lance and do not suffer penalties for unstable conditions.

· Pugilist - The character does +1 point of damage when striking with his bare hands or feet. He is considered wielding an allowed off-hand weapon and to have the Two-weapon Fighting ability while fighting unarmed.

· Sharp Shooting - When firing a missile weapon into melee combat, the character halves any chance to hit blocking melee combatants.

· Single Weapon Style - Fighting with a one-handed weapon and nothing in your off-hand, grants you a +1 bonus to Dodge saving throws and a -1[+1] bonus to your armor class.

· Skewering Strike (8th+ Level) - If attacking with a lance, pole-arm, spear or trident any critical hits you make also strikes the creature in the 2nd rank behind your foe for normal damage.

· Smash (12th+ Level) - If you only make a single melee attack in a round at a -4 penalty, you add half your Strength score to your damage.

· Spear Maneuvers - When fighting with a spear the character can reach the 2nd rank while fighting 1-handed. The character may set a spear or trident against a charging opponent and if the character hits (attack roll required) he inflicts double damage to the charging opponent.

· Wrestler - When using wrestling to attack, you gain a +2 bonus to your ‘to hit’ rolls.

· Zen Archery - The character applies wither his Dexterity or his Wisdom adjustment on ‘to hit’ rolls with missile weapons, whichever is greater.

Using the HD values for PC Combat Statistics

2011-06-22T23:46:00.000-04:00

Since the last post lead into this sorta and I feel its relevant, I worked up a chart depicting the Attack Bonuses and Saving Throws (using the Monster's Single Saving Throw Target from Swords & Wizardry for this simple example). Onn caps Monster Attack Bonuses at +15, so using the HD progression given in the last post, this is what it looks like:

Attack Bonus/Saves by HD - CHARACTERS

Level	Cleric	Fighting-man	Magic-user
1	+0/18	+1/17	+0/18
2	+1/17	+2/16	+1/17
3	+2/16	+3/14	+1/17
4	+3/14	+4/13	+2/16
5	+3/14	+5/12	+2/16
6	+4/13	+6/11	+3/14
7	+5/12	+7/9	+3/14
8	+5/12	+8/8	+4/13
9	+5/12	+9/6	+4/13
10	+6/11	+9/6	+5/12
11	+6/11	+10/5	+5/12
12	+6/11	+10/5	+5/12
13	+6/11	+11/4	+5/12
14	+6/11	+11/4	+5/12
15	+6/11	+12/3	+6/11
16	+7/9	+12/3	+6/11
17	+7/9	+13/3	+6/11
18	+7/9	+13/3	+6/11
19	+8/8	+14/3	+6/11
20	+8/8	+14/3	+6/11
21	+8/8	+15/3	+6/11
22	+9/6	+15/3	+6/11
23	+9/6	+15/3	+7/9
24	+9/6	+15/3	+7/9
25+	+9/6	+15/3	+7/9

Now, on the surface this looks pretty even, especially at lower levels where Monster attack ability outstrips the fighting-man's. Now Onn has a maximum bonus of +2 for generated ability scores, so using the most extreme example, a 1st level Fighting-man could have anywhere from a +1 (no additional bonuses) to a +4 (+1 base attack, +2 Str and +1 for using a weapon of choice) for a +1 to +4.

At 9th level a Fighting-man has the same +9, but with an additional +0 to +6 (if he was lucky enough to find up to a +3 weapon he's mastered in) for a total of +9 to +15! Clerics and Magic-users as well can get up to a total bonus to hit of +10 and +9 respectively at 9th level.

The Monsters at 9 HD have a flat +9. Now you could come up with some system for determining ability scores for them, but this would add to the bloat of the stat block. You could up the Monster HD to d10 or even d12 since they would be taking more damage more often. Or you could lower the PCs HD from d6/d8/d4 (Cleric/Fighting-man/Magic-user) to d4/d6/d3 and make them more fragile.

This is where the level system shines. Adding in the fact that PCs gain abilities more numerously than monsters, splitting their HD from their direct combat statistics allows for a more dynamic system where the extra abilities of the characters are more in balance with the power of the monsters they face.

The Arms Race of RPGs

2011-06-09T23:02:00.003-04:00

As a side effect of the way damage spells work for Onn (namely uncapped for scaling damage magic), at some point a character who is only gaining a flat +1 or +2 per level is going to get wiped out by something like a high level caster's fireball, even if the saving throw is made.

Going back to OD&D, the classes did continue to gain HD after they reached Name Level (8th for Clerics, 9th for Fighting-man and 11th for Magic-users). Its something that the more modern (Supplement I Greyhawk on up) versions of D&D have eschewed in favor of caps on spells and lower HP progressions until the sunset of 3rd Edition/d20 RPGs. They went super powered though, with big dice and every level adds.

I went back to OD&D and looked at the patterns and Onn and looked at its patterns as well and came up with the following general changes to the HD progressions:

Character Hit Dice

Level	Cleric	Fighting-man	Magic-user
1	1d6	1d8	1d4
2	2d6	2d8	2d4
3	3d6	3d8	3d4
4	4d6	4d8	4d4
5	5d6	5d8	5d4
6	6d6	6d8	6d6
7	7d6	7d8	7d4
8	-	8d8	8d4
9	-	9d8	9d4
10	8d6	-	10d4
11	-	10d8	11d4
12	-	-	-
13	9d6	11d8	-
14	-	-	-
15	-	12d8	12d4
16	10d6	-	-
17	-	13d8	-
18	-	-	-
19	11d6	14d8	13d4
20	-	-	-
21	-	15d8	-
22	12d6	-	-
23	-	16d8	14d4
24	-	-	-
25+	13d6	17d8	-

Now at the levels the character does not gain a HD, the character gains +1 hp with Constitution adjustments (minimum of 1 hp). Onn uses HD to determine immunity to spells and spell effects (like Holy Word or Death Spell) so using a scaling HD also makes for good sense for characters as well as monsters.

Fatal Lurks

2011-06-08T13:57:00.001-04:00

FATAL LURK

Most lurks are small predators that impersonate other creatures. Normally not deadly under normal circumstances, it is known through the sparse records recovered that these creatures were experimented on in Darkmoor during the rise of the Zuhn Empire. If they were ever used is unknown, but at some point specimens escaped and evolved into the common forms known today.

Lurkers are wide and very flat creatures that cover ceilings in caverns. The top of their bodies resemble rough stone, making them hard to spot, while the bottom is covered in tiny legs that anchor it and can be used to grab victims. When prey passes under it, the lurker drops onto it and attempts to constrict its victim. Lurkers gain a +2 bonus on surprise checks if not found before attacking. The lurker’s initial attack gains a +2 bonus on the ‘to hit’ roll. When a lurker hits, it attempts to wrap its victim (+4 bonus to the wrestling check). Once successful it will wrap itself around the victim and crush for 2d8 points of damage.

Mimics are an advanced form of fatal lurks that can change into a couple of different objects, Most common are chests, wardrobes or other closable objects. They are hard to detect and gain surprise (+2) if unnoticed. When a victim opens the mimic it strikes, snapping shut on any appendages stuck within (Dodge saving throw to avoid if not surprised). Mimics can extend a sticky pseudopod to strike victims as well. Victims struck must succeed at a strength check on 4d6 or be drawn to the mouth and bitten every round until freed. Rumors about of mimics that emulate larger objects and one large as a small house exists, but none have been confirmed.

Piercers are fatal lurkers that populate large caverns and other open underground places. When prey passes under a piercer they drop from their position and attempt to lance their target. Victims failing a Dodge saving throw are run through and knocked down. If a piercer is successful it secretes an enzyme that breaks down flesh, inflicting 1d6 points of damage per round. On the ground, piercers will climb the nearest wall to get high so it can drop again. Until then they fight with a pseudopod that inflicts 1d4 points of damage.

Trappers are much like lurkers but they lie on the rough floors of caverns and ‘wrap up’ their victims.

Lurker / Trapper (L) - AC 2[18]; HD 8; Att slam (2d4+wrestle); Save 8; Morale 8; MR Nil; Special surprise (+2), crush (2d8), wrestle (+4); Move 30 ft (10 ft) swim; TC A; CL/XP 10 / 1,400

Mimic (M) - AC 4[16]; HD 4; Att bite (1d8) + pseudopod (1d8+wrestle); Save 13; Morale nil; MR Nil; Special surprise (+2); Move 60 ft (20 ft); TC A, K; CL/XP 4 / 120

Piercer, 1HD (S) - AC 0[20]; HD 1+1; Att pseudopod (1d4); Save 17; Morale 6; MR Nil; Special enzyme (1d6), lance victim, surprise (+2); Move 30 ft (10 ft); TC A; CL/XP 1 / 15

Piercer, 2HD (S) - AC 0[20]; HD 2+2; Att pseudopod (1d4); Save 16; Morale 6; MR Nil; Special enzyme (1d6), lance victim, surprise (+2); Move 30 ft (10 ft); TC A; CL/XP 2 / 30

Piercer (M) - AC 0[20]; HD 4+4; Att pseudopod (1d4); Save 13; Morale 7; MR Nil; Special enzyme (1d6), lance victim, surprise (+2); Move 30 ft (10 ft); TC A; CL/XP 4 / 120

The Gaunt

2011-06-08T01:47:00.000-04:00

GAUNT

The gaunt are a horrid degenerate race found in the Great Waste and the Ironsands Desert. Some say they have been found in the Deserts of Uln as well. Certain places in these regions have a destructive effect on living creatures that enter them for prolonged periods of time. Those not spared the painful mutation by being killed soon after entering are turned into the Gaunt.

So far as has been seen, any creature can be turned into a gaunt. They resemble zombies, with patches of rotting flesh and tight leathery skin, but gaunt are far more dangerous. They still possess a feral intelligence, with most of their higher brain functions being destroyed by their mutation.

Gaunt move with a surprising quickness when they discover prey. In combat they attack with whatever natural weapons they possess. Humanoids for example will attack with fists and bite. The primary goal of a gaunt is to wrestle its opponent (+4 on wrestling check) and score a pin. Once a victim is held they will begin to feed immediately by biting. The bite of a gaunt is extremely dangerous, as it will infect the victim with the gaunt’s mutated cells and start the process in them on a failed Toughness saving throw. After 1d6+1 hours a System shock is needed for infected individuals, failure meaning they die. On a success, each hour afterwards the victim loses a point of Constitution until they reach a zero, whereupon they become gaunts themselves.

Gaunt (M) - AC 8[12]; HD 4; Att wrestle (special) or bite (1d8+disease); Save 13; Morale Nil; MR Nil; Special disease, immune to sleep, charm and hold, wrestler (+4); Move 150 ft (50 ft); TC A; CL/XP 6 / 400

BACK

2011-05-21T10:14:00.001-04:00

As a note, just got the computer back last night! I did continue drafting the Treasures and Atlas sections on my laptop, but it has none of the software for the real work, nor art, so while things are ahead, they are behind in a fashion.

Stay tuned for more news, previews, Random Dungeon and Onn goodness!!

A sub-campaign started while I've been away - S3: Expedition to the Barrier Peaks using Onn as the ruleset!!!

Downtime

2011-02-23T22:02:00.000-05:00

Due to my power supply frying in my desktop PC, work has once again ground to a halt on the Revised Core Rules and Supplement II. All the files are safe and no data was lost (I back everything up in a crazy way now) but the software I use for everything and the pdf software is on the desk PC, so until I get a new one...I'm spinning my wheels.

I did finish off the monsters section and get started on the treasures section before everything happenned. I got as far as implementing a new/old treasure style more in line with D&D using Treasure Classes and designated A through K (there are no individual classes and group classes). Basically every group of monsters has a treasure class, whether they are encountered individually or not. The Referee can reduce the treasure by half for less than average numbers of monsters encountered or double it if more than average monsters appear. Also, the treasure list is expanding more, allowing for more miscllaneous treasures and more types of cursed treasures.

I also have rooms 7 thru 20 for the random dungean as well on that drive, so I may roll up new ones and save those for later.

I'll post more as news happens.

Resource Updates

2011-02-10T20:43:00.001-05:00

As of today, I have Sections 1 to 8 (124 pages of material) reformatted and only need to finish up Sections 9 (Monsters, nearly done), 10 (Magic Items), 11 (Atlas of Onn) and the Appendices of the Revised Core Rules. I decided not to split the book into seperate players's and referee's books and to keep it all in one volume as a matter of value to the people that will buy this and the fact that as far as all the retro-games/clones/remakes goes, Onn is the only resource that is a full rules resource for players and Referees as well as background material and information for a setting 99% compatible with Basic/Expert Dungeons & Dragons, AD&D, Swords & Wizardry, Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game, Lybrinth Lord or almost any 'old school' RPG based on the d20.

As for Onn Supplement II for Swords & Wizardry, after i finish reformatting the RCR I'll have this done within a week or so, being able to use the format of the finished book for the rest of my projects. Things are moving slowly, but still moving.

As an aside, I've been fixing the monster section. Its only 47 pages, but has 170 seperate creature entries (not counting creature variants like Treants of 7-12 HD). So thus far with ploting all of the classes out to 25th level, adding 7th level Cleric, Druid and Illusionist spells and 8th-9th level Magic-user spells, a few more races and a new class, the page count hasnt blown up to an unrealistic level. I'm getting excited again about how his will turn out.

Frogligators

2011-02-10T00:15:00.002-05:00

FROGLIGATOR

Some say once long ago, during the Zuhn Empire’s reign, the experiments carried out on monsters and animals in Darkmoor’s halls of science produced these monstrosities. These creatures resemble huge frogs nearly 10 ft around with short, sharp claws and topped by the head of an alligator. Frogligators are excellent swimmers in water and hop fast on land.

Frogligator hides have a slight adaptive ability, granting them a +1 bonus to be hidden and on surprise rolls. They possess the same lashing tongue attack of their normal-sized cousins, able to reach up to 15 ft distant. On a successful ‘to hit’ roll, the victim must succeed at a Strength check on 4d6 or be dragged into the mouth for automatic bite damage. Up to four smaller than man-size creatures, such as gnomes and halflings, can be swallowed whole and take 1d8 points of damage per round until retrieved.

Frogligator (L) – AC 4[16]; HD 6; Att claw (1d6) + bite (2d8) or tongue lash; Save 12; Morale 8; MR Nil; Special camoflague (+1), swim, tongue lash; Move 90 ft (30 ft) / 150 ft (50 ft) swim; TC A; CL/XP 7 / 600

[DISCLAIMER - Image used from the 'Alligator Frog' minaiture from Center Stage Miniatures site.]

Random Dungeon, Room 6

2011-01-26T18:20:00.001-05:00

Another large chamber roughly 20 ft wide but 40 ft long. The ceiling in the southern half of the room looks as if it partially collapsed, as several feet of rock are shattered on the ground and the ceiling extends about 5 ft higher.

Hiding in the rubble is a giant snake (50% chance for either a constrictor or poisonous snake). If not discovered it will strike with surprise.

Snake, Giant (L) – AC 5[15]; HD 3; Att bite (1d4) + special; Save 14; Morale 6; MR Nil; Special constriction (2d6) or average poison; Move 90 ft (30 ft); TC A; CL/XP 4 / 120

Random Dungeon, Room 5

2011-01-26T18:18:00.000-05:00

This plain stone chamber appears to be empty, near the center of the room some dark stains and a skull rest on the floor.

Running about 1 inch high along the east and west sides of the room are iron bands. They stick up from the floor and against the walls. When at least 2 man-size creatures move along the same wall, the entire floor tilts, dropping them into a 15 ft pit. The entire floor rests on a central stone beam (like a see-saw) that runs east/west and is counterweighted to spin two full rotations. On the second spin anyone in the pit of man-size or larger must successfully make a Dodge saving throw or be decapitated by the sharp iron edge of the floor. The rotation of the floor and the edge carry the head back up and the sudden stop usually bounces the head off the wall and rolls it in the general vicinity of the room’s center. There are 5 bodies of adventurers (long dead fighting-men, nothing usable) and 3 giant badgers (more fresh but rotting). One adventurer is decapitated.

Random Dungeon, Room 4

2011-01-26T18:17:00.000-05:00

A large stone chamber roughly 20 ft long and wide houses several large nests, of which are several large badgers the size of a man.

2 Badgers, Giant (M) – AC 4[16]; HD 3; Att 2 claws (1d3) + bite (1d6); Save 14; Morale 7; MR Nil; Special Nil; Move 60 ft (20 ft); TC A; CL/XP 3 / 60

Random Dungeon, Room 3

2011-01-26T18:09:00.000-05:00

Camped in this stone room are 3 small creatures, barely 2 ft tall. They look as if they haven’t eaten a decent meal in weeks, their light grey skin pulled taught over their thin frames. Several bones and scraps of leather litter the room, but nothing appears intact. Several alcoves line one side of the room as well, their contents hidden by the darkness. The gremlins here have been starving for a good meal for a long time. The scraps of what’s left of their last meal has nothing of use or value. The alcoves are lined with statues of dwarven warriors, with the exception of location B; in this alcove is a dwarven magic-user whose hands are held out as if he were reading a scroll, but none is present. Each of the statues were previously living adventurers turned to stone long ago, then sold off to collectors. How they ended up here is anyone’s guess.

3 Gremlins (S) – AC 7[13]; HD 1d3 hp; Att 1 claw (1) and devour food; Save 18; Morale 6; MR 20%; Special bad luck aura, devour food, DR 1/arc wood; Move 120 ft (40 ft); TC B; CL/XP B / 10

Random Dungeon, Room 2

2011-01-20T13:46:00.001-05:00

2 - Heading Things Off Quick: The door to this room is locked with an easy lock. The room is lined with plain, upright stone coffins, all of which are opened. Inside are the dried husks of dead warriors, their ancient weapons and armor corroded beyond repair. The bodies themselves are unremarkable, but if anyone in the party inspects any of them closely without touching them, it will be noticed that the heads were cut cleanly from the bodies and set back on the neck stumps. If the bodies are touched or moved, the heads will roll off the bodies and attack! One of the bodies is concealing a wand of floating disc (39 charges, caster level 5).

12 Crawling Horrors, Head (S) – AC 6[14]; HD 1d6 hp each; Att bite (1d4); Save 18; Morale Nil; MR Nil; Special turn as skeleton, undead immunities; Move 60 ft (20 ft); TC A; CL/XP B / 10 each

Random Dungeon

2011-01-18T15:55:00.002-05:00

Since the end of the X4 game (which was awesome if I say so myself), I've changed jobs and my regular tabletop game has been forced on hiatus. I still have a play by post and late night messenger game going, but these are more like situational sessions than campaigns. Anyway, I figured it would be neat to create a Random Dungeon using the tables for encounters/contents in the Expanded Core Rules every day or so to do up a short description of a room and its contents. Use it if you want or just steal a thing here or there for your own Onn/OD&D/S&W or B/X D&D games. As a new project, we'll start with a 1st level-type difficulty. Heres a larger size map, cause i know its tinyish over on the right.

Consider the squares to be 10 ft with a height of 10 ft, doors to be old iron-banded wood (not quite rotten yet), unless otherwise noted and no light.

Since Area 1 is the entry area, there are no encounters, treasure or traps (let the players feel a little safe before the carnage begins). The worn, winding stone stairs lead to a rough-hewn room about 30 ft square. The dank and musty air feels oppresive and the flickering light creates menacing shadows across the walls. From the base of the stairs you can see passages leading north and south from the far corners of the room.

Tunnel Horror

2011-01-15T18:23:00.001-05:00

Inhabiting the dark places under the earth, tunnel horrors are large, bug-like terrors best avoided by those that know of their existance. Tunnel horrors are beetle-like creatures that walk upright on four thick legs, their other four legs ending in wickedly sharp and strong pick-like claws. They can feel the vibrations of creatures moving on stone (a type of tremor-sense) within 200 ft. Tunnel horrors have the a fanged maw as well and a single, compound eye on their heads. Their eye glows with a soft limunescence and at a distance can be mistaken for a faint lantern. In combat, those looking at the eye (25% chance per round unless the attacker is avoiding looking at the monster's upper half, suffering a -2 penalty on 'to hit' rolls) suffer the same effects as a confusion spell for 1d3 rounds, plus the difference of the failed saving throw. They can burrow through solid rock at the rate of 10 ft per round. A favorite tactic of tunnel horrors is to wait behind a wall of rock a few feet thick and then burst through when the feel something approach the other side, gaining a +1 suprise bonus.

Tunnel Horror (L)
Armor Class:	2[18]
Hit Dice:	8
Attacks:	4 claws (1d6) + bite (1d8)
Saving Throw:	8
Morale:	8
Magic Resistance:	Nil
Special:	burrow, confusion
Move:	90ft(30ft) / 30ft(10ft) burrow
Challenge Level/XP:	10 / 1,400

Merry Christmas Delays

2010-12-24T10:19:00.000-05:00

Well another Christmas deadline, another year missed...Happy Holidays to everyone from Rogue Ranger Games and the World of Onn! I actually started a new job on December 20th and on the weekend of the 18th and 19th found a huge layout problem that affected all the projects I've been working on. With the Holidays here though no work will get done until after the 1st of the New Year, but even though with a delay, in the end a better book will be done!

Thank you all who continue to support Onn with your emails! May your stockings be full and your Holiday be felled with the love of Family and Friends!

James

State of Affairs

2010-11-20T09:43:00.000-05:00

Things are coming to a close now for work on the Onn Player's Guide, Onn Referee's Guide and Onn Supplement II for Swords & Wizardry. It's taken way longer than anticipated with several RL interruptions to my gaming and work on the projects. Suffice to say, I hope for those of you that find the material useful and interesting to your tables, these new items retain those qualities.

I still have a few things to iron out among the playtests of changes that have been made, but I'm shooting for at least a week before Christmas.

Keep watching for further news!

James

Hit Dice Beyond Name Level

2010-10-14T16:33:00.003-04:00

Ok, so with damage scaling uncapped by most spells (as it should be), eventually you get to a point where even saving for half will decimate characters and kills them. I've been thinking about something Bart (a good friend in one group I played with in the past), made a suggestion that a character should continue to get new HD, but a slower progression. Instead of gaining a fixed number of HP at levels beyond Name Level, the character would have levels where no HD or HP are gained, but then gain an additional HD (adjusted by Constitution).

This is twofold in nature by not just allowing Constitution to play a factor in the acquisition of HP of the early levels and to continue to be a factor for the character throughout his career, but something else as well. HD is also used to determine when characters and monsters become immune to the effects of certain spells and effects and not their level. This would mesh well (in theory) with that, especially in the case of higher level magic. I've been turning this over in my head and came up with this (extremely untested):

Optional HD at Higher Levels

Level	Cleric	Fighting-man	Magic-user
8	8d6	8d8	8d4
9	-	9d8	9d4
10	-	-	10d4
11	9d6	10d8	11d4
12	-	-	-
13	-	11d8	-
14	10d6	-	12d4
15	-	12d8	-
16	-	-	-
17	11d6	13d8	13d4
18	-	-	-
19	-	14d8	-
20	12d6	-	14d4

New Forum

2010-09-17T15:51:00.000-04:00

I repurposed my old NWN forum for the World of Onn and S&W game discussion. If anyone is interested, the forum can be found here: http://rifthaven.19.forumer.com/index.php the main reason being its easier to deal with any opinions, questions, or whatevers in a forum setting where everyone can see and respond instead of 15 emails floating around at various times.

I still plan on keeping the blog moving along, posting more as the workload of the 3 books winds down.

Thanks all, for your continued support!
James

Vendee's Missile Magnifier

2010-08-25T22:35:00.002-04:00

Vendee's Missile Magnifier
Spell Level: Magic-user, 2nd Level
Range: Touch
Duration: 48 turns (8 hours)

The caster may 'magnify' up to 20 pieces of ammunition per 4 caster levels, lasting until the missiles are fired or the duration expires (whichever occurs first). Missiles affected by this spell inflict 50% more damage on a successful hit. Magnified missiles are considered +1 per 4 caster levels (maximum of +3) for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction as well.

The Asarlai (Character Race)

2010-08-22T11:27:00.001-04:00

ASARLAI

Long ago the Asarlai were human, before the Fire in the Sky decimated Onn. After the devastation some monsters, such as lycanthropes, thrived in the aftermath due to their resistance to physical damage and the sudden rarity of humans and other races wielding magic and weapons that could harm them. Of the few Humans on the continent of Karsin that survived the cataclysm, lycanthropes hunted them down mercilessly and left none alive or unchanged when they were found. In the millennia since when human explorers from Var-Ultar landed on Karsin’s shores they found cities of men with an advanced society under the banner of a nation called Asarlai. To these new visitors the Asarlai were just another race of Men, but in a relatively short time it was revealed that the Asarlai were the descendants of the lycanthropes that ravaged Karsin. Their ability of a full animal transformation had been long lost through the centuries as the bloodlines intermingled, but they retained an animalistic quality and could perform a minor transformation to bring the traits of their ancestral animal line out. Rumors speak of Clerics of Dalamon that retain their ability to fully become animal still, but they are unproven to the world at large.

Most Asarlai worship Dalamon Wolf-Mage, an ancient hero, as their race’s savior from the Bloodline Wars. When the lycanthropes noticed the ancestors of humans-turned-lycanthrope from after the cataclysm were losing their ability to transform, many decided to purge those weaker elements from existence. Due to the hero Dalamon’s leadership and personal efforts (as the Asarlai historians record it), the lycanthropes were nearly annihilated and the Asarlai settled into an advanced nation who now trade briskly with the Empire of Ankh-tor and are only beginning to set their sights on trade with the ports on Ossus’ shores.

A character must have at least a 9 Constitution to be an Asarlai.

Favored Class: Asarlai have unlimited advancement in the Druid and Ranger classes.

Damage Reduction: Due to their lycanthropic heritage, Asarlai have Damage Reduction 0+ Constitution adjustment (minimum of 0) / silver.

Nightvision: Asarlai can see up to twice the distance as a man in low-light or torch/lantern-lit conditions.

Animal-like Senses: Asarlai have a keen sense of smell and hearing. They gain a +2 bonus to any rolls to detect creatures or objects by their scent and when listening for noises.

Animal Form: Asarlai are descended from a type of lycanthrope and can take on the physical qualities of their ancestor animal for a short time (1 turn + Constitution adjustment). At the end of the transformation the character is treated as if exhausted. When the character is created the player selects one of the animals from the list below and when he transforms he takes on a humanoid form with his ancestor animal traits.

• Bat - The descendants of were-bats can glide short distances (20 ft) as part of their movement and gain echolocation 60 ft (the ability to sense their surroundings through ultra-high frequency sounds).

• Bear - The descendants of were-bears gain a bite attack (1d6+Strength adjustment) and a +2 bonus to any climbing checks.

• Cat - The descendants of were-cats gain two claw attacks (1d3+ Strength adjustment) and can leap 20 ft once per 5 rounds if unencumbered.

• Rat - The descendants of were-rats gain a bite attack (1d3+ Strength adjustment) and 2 claw attacks (1d2+Strength adjustment).

• Shark - The descendants of were-sharks gain a bite attack (1d6 + Strength adjustment) and a +2 bonus to any swimming skill checks.

• Wolf - The descendants of were-wolves gain a bite attack (1d4+ Strength adjustment) and a -1 bonus to initiative checks.

Languages: Asarlai speak common.

World of Onn: Core Rules Player's Guide

2010-08-11T22:28:00.000-04:00

A quick rundown of the contents of the Player's Guide for those interested:

Ability Scores: Generation and tables for all 6 abilities for scores of 1-25 (keeping in line with AD&D's maximum scores), also included bonus spells table here now.
Races: Men, Asarlai, Dwarves, Elves, Endu, Forged Men, Giantkin, Gnomes, Gnolls, Halfling, Tigrans, Trollkin
Classes: Priests (Clerics, Druids, Shao Disciples), Warriors (Fighting-men, Barbarians, Divine Champions, Rangers, Spellblades) and Wizards (Magic-users, Bards, Illusionists)
Equipment: Lots of goodies here, some new things as well.
Sections on Playing the Game, Hirelings, Initiative and Combat
Spells for Clerics, Druids, Illusionists (1st - 7th level) and Magic-users (1st - 9th level) including even more new spells from the original Onn campaigns.
An Atlas section containing common knowledge descriptions for player characters about the major places and kingdoms of Onn.
Several Appendices with further useful information for players.

There's alot in there. I'm shooting for 150 pages (9pt, single-spaced, single-column). I didn't forget about the Asarlai description for the blog either, just haven't gotten around to it yet!

Onn Updates

2010-08-11T22:09:00.000-04:00

Even though the blog has been slow there's alot going on for Rogue Ranger Games. I've been furiously chewing through the editing for the Core Rules Player's Guide, Core Rules Referee's Guide and Supplement II like there's no tomorrow. Some of new art is coming in from Kimberly now and the playtests that are going on are going very well. While it may seem like things are moving slowly (and in a sense they are, working 3 books at once isn't an easy task combined with family and work), they are happening.

Carrion Worms

2010-08-05T12:35:00.002-04:00

Now of course you can't have a low level game without familiar catepillar-like, tentacle ringed mouth monsters that climbs walls and eats whole parties at once. For the World of Onn, an old favorite, with a slightly new take.

CARRION WORM

These odd creatures resemble a 10 ft long armored and segmented caterpillar. On the monster’s head are two large black eyes and a beak surrounded by six long tentacles. Carrion worms inhabit deep places and popular ruins, places where animals and people die frequently so they can feed off of the corpses. A carrion worm has no qualms about killing for its meal either and will attack groups of smaller creatures in the hopes of securing something to take to a safe place and let ripen for feasting on at a later date. In combat the carrion worm lashes out with its tentacles. The tentacles are covered in a slimy substance that causes paralysis to those creatures struck (Toughness saving throw negates), so they are rightly feared by those that know of them as well. Sages suggest these creatures were once one of the experiments of the ancient Zuhn Empire in their magical laboratories.

Carrion Worm (L) – AC 5[14]; HD 4; Att 6 tentacles (1 hit point + paralysis); Save 13; Morale 7; MR Nil; Special causes paralysis; Move 120 ft (40 ft); TC A; CL/XP 6 / 400

The Desert Nomads Campaign Info

2010-07-29T16:10:00.001-04:00

I'm running the 'Desert Nomad Series' Modules X4 and X5 for my Thursday night World of Onn RPG group. I think I'll start to post the old module covers when we start a new module so the beginning of any campaign has an immediate reference for you, the readers. Please feel free to post or email any questions about how anything has been handled or how I may work something 'behind the screen' and I'll be happy to share. Thus far, the World of Onn ruleset has been a perfect mesh for the D&D modules and module bits I've run over the last year. This is the first (hopefully of many) full module series I plan to run for my group. Thus far the module has run stock and as-is with no changes needed by me to smooth any rule inconsistencies or monster issues. I did change the NPC that kick starts the adventure series, making him a Magic-user since the group didn't need another Cleric. The core group consists of:

Cortain - a male elven Spellblade, level 10
Val - a male gnoll Ranger, level 10
Steel - a forged man Fighting-man, level 10
Yurur - a male dwarven Cleric of Gromlun, level 12
Richard (NPC) - a male human Magic-user 11

Core Rules, 2nd Print Update

2010-07-29T11:54:00.000-04:00

Time and the evolution of the game is changing my view on how the Core Rules are best presented. While I am still so into the Cook/Moldvay/Marsh idea of the successive sets and their cover-within-a-cover scheme for each successive set, I've had to drop that in favor of putting all of the player's infomation into one book and the Referee's information into another. The upside is that individually each book is going to be geared towards what information is needed by each to play and now I can cram more things into them both without bleed-over of information.

This also means that there will be no 'Companion' volume either (at least where the rules are concerned). The Core Player's Guide and Core Referee's Guide will have the information for levels 1-25 for both Referees and players, including higher level spells. Also included is the Barbarian class that was slated for the Companion and a new player character race, the Asarlai, more Fighting-man Combat Options more monsters, magic items and Referee advice and guidelines for running their games.

Stay Tuned for more exact details!

Desert Nomads, Session 3

2010-07-29T07:23:00.001-04:00

Session 3 begins with a short rewrite of history. At then end of Session 2 someone was found resting in the center of the strange hut. The younger nephew of one player joined our gaming group, so in the interests of getting him into the game, his PC was found as well, making two people found in the hut instead of one.

Once introductions were made, the Forged Man offered the name Steel and the human man that was resting nearby called himself Delf, both sides exchanged stories of what had befallen them since being trapped in this strange area of the swamp. Steel and Delf had been trapped a number of weeks (by Steel's reckoning) with no other living things to be seen. Cortain, even utilizing his Elven senses, couldn't discern a way out and several ideas for traveling in various directions from the hut back into the swamp always brought the person back to the hut's clearing. At one point Steel threw a rope and grapple into the thick swamp thicket surrounding the clearing and tugged on it until it caught something, then followed the line into the swamp...only to reappear from the same place he passed into the scrub following his rope line. The spellcasters consulted one another and it was decided that several spells would be needed on the morrow that the casters didn't have currently memorized.

Using the hut as shelter, the night passed by uneventfully. Everyone in the party had more nightmares, especially Yurur who suffered them before coming into this place. Once the bleak light of morning arrived, the group prepared themselves, but noticed Richard studying his spell book longer than usual. On closer inspection, he was found sitting quietly and still breathing, but his eyes were vacant and he was unresponsive...as if his mind were gone. This spurred the group to some immediate action. They gathered Richard, with Cortain ensuring none of the others damaged Richard’s spell book, and exited the hut.

Yurur called upon his deity Gromlun to show him the source of the evil in this place and the hut and a pool of muck beneath it gave him an unsettling response. Short discussion followed that ended with Cortain destroying the hut and muck pool with a fireball, sending bits of flaming wood and muck everywhere.

A party member tried to leave again, ending back at the clearing again. Still sensing a dark presence at the hut's former location, Yurur called upon Gromlun to dispel the dark presence. Yurur's holy symbol flared to life with a golden pulse and immediately everyone heard a bitter feminime voice in their heads telling them to go. Quickly the party beat feet out of the clearing, with Richard coming to whilst riding on he shoulder of a party member and wondering what was going on.

The party exited the clearing exactly where they left the trail, days ago. Standing there was the coward guide, asking then what they found. It was ascertained that no time had passed in he world outside the hut's influence and they pushed onwards north through the swamp.

With a day of hard travel and the light fading, they only found one mound of dry ground large enough for everyone to camp overnight upon. Camp was quickly established and watches set up.

Early in the morning in the pre-dawn light a large and powerful-looking swamp dragon landed from out of nowhere and in an aggressive stance immediately breathed a cloud of corrosive gas on the group, critically wounding many of them and killing the cowardly guide. Combat was joined and the creature fought ferociously, taking down Yurur's crystal golem protector and nearly killing Val (the group's only surviving Ranger). Cortain attempted several spells at the dragon, but the creature proved highly resistant to his spells. It was grievously wounded however and few off, taking some arrow fire as it left.

One of the group's members discovered the dragon's aggressive actions almost immediately after they were sure it wasn't flying around for another attack - there were large-sized rocks poking out of the soft dirt...rocks that were not rocks, but instead dragon eggs! Unwittingly, they must have stumbled over the dragon's egg nest. A very quick discussion over dragon mounts like the heroes of legend or the going rate for dragon eggs in any market was made then ended. A few minutes later, a female elf with emerald green eyes dressed in greenish-scaled armor trudged out of the swamp, hailing the group. Cortain, an elf himself realized she was no elf but more than likely the dragon in humanoid form, stepped up to parley with the newcomer. She proved to be not unfriendly but at the same time Cortain recognized the danger they were in, as she was standing before them in a presumably weaker form than her natural one and openly. Cortain managed to talk her into letting them go unmolested in exchange for not harming or removing any of her eggs. She agreed and gave them an hour to vacate or she would take action. Yurur healed everyone as best he could and Cortain produced a scroll he had been saving for he right time. He offered to Yurur to use it to restore the golem enough so that it could be healed and the group could move on. Yurur thanked him for the boon and Cortain, much to the surprise and dismay of Richard, used his scroll of limited wish to bring the golem back to functioning so they could be on the move.

Hard travel to put as much distance between the egg mound and themselves gradually brought them out of the swamp and into the stony badlands of the Great Waste. By the late afternoon they arrived at the caravan track and set up camp to deal with the hot sun and wait for Richard's caravan. Late in the day it arrived and after a meet and greet, the group got hired on as guards as the caravan made its way west across the Waste.

A couple days of plodding travel into the Waste the group found themselves on outrider duty with Val in the lead. On the horizon a dust cloud was kicking up, with Val shouting for everyone to get back to the caravan - he determined a large force was charging across the badlands and figured it was better safe to assume bandits or the Master's followers than friendly forces.

The caravan master's captain ordered the guards into formations to combat the incoming bandits. A few minutes later the bandits came in a well-organized attack, dividing its forces so that every formation of guards would have 2 waves to deal with. Val, Steel, Delf, Cortain and Yurur's Golem made a good showing, almost killing a bandit to every hit. The battle was long fought with the eventual killing of the bandit leader after he produced a horn that magically blasted Richard and several of the pack animals and driving off of the remaining bandit forces, but more than half the guards were slain as well as some of the animals. Yurur used the blessings of Gromlun to heal who he could and the rest of the wounded were patched as best as possible.

Session 3 ended here...

Divine Arcana

2010-07-26T14:27:00.001-04:00

Divine Arcana
Spell Level: Cleric, 7th Level
Range: Self
Duration: 6 turns

When cast, the Cleric gains understanding in how to activate the functions of magical items restricted to arcane spellcasters of all classes. This allows the Cleric to cast arcane spells of 1st through 3rd level from scrolls and to be able activate and make the use of magic items normally restricted to the arcane classes.

Minor Restoration

2010-07-25T13:57:00.002-04:00

Shadows have the ability to temporarily drain its victim's Strength score. This creature ability has existed in D&D and its retro-clones from almost Day 1. What is missing though is a way to combat the draining of such creatures or heal this damage. Thus, new to Onn (and your own D&D or S&W game) is a healing spell capable of remeding this situation:

Minor Restoration
Spell Level: Cleric, 4th Level
Range: Touch
Duration: Immediate

When cast, the recipient is healed of all of the temporary ability damage to a single ability score (such as the Strength drained by a Shadow). If the recipient has been affected by some form of unnatural, permanent ability drain the caster can choose instead to restore a single point permanently lost by the recipient with a 25% chance of success, plus his Wisdom and Level.

Optional Two-weapon Fighting Rules

2010-07-23T23:23:00.006-04:00

Since the World of Onn clarified the way I use Two-weapon Fighting (TWF) in my games, I've been giving it some more thought. Now, there are always dissenting opinions (and I welcome them here or through emails) on what guidelines or processes work 'best' or how to better reflect historical accuracy or make it more player friendly (ie, removing any TWF penalties). A long ways back I had thought of an alternative to the TWF Penalties Chart:

When TWF with an allowed off-hand weapon, the character's attack with his off-hand functions at half the character's actual level. If the character is using a weapon in his off-hand not on the allowed list, his offhand attacks at one-quarter of the character's actual level. Lastly, if the character is not proficient in TWF, his off-hand attacks are always made as if he were 0-level. Off-hand attacks may never make more than one strike per round.

This chart should help make things more clear for any math challenged among us (I know I am at times, and besides, I like charts!):

Two-Weapon Fighting Attack Bonuses

Character Level	Primary Weapon	Off-hand Allowed Weapon	Off-hand Not Allowed Weapon	Unskilled Off-hand
1-2	+1	+0	+0	+0
3-4	+2	+1	+1	+0
5-6	+3	+2	+1	+0
7-8	+4	+2	+1	+0
9-10	+5	+3	+2	+0
11-12	+6	+3	+2	+0
13-14	+7	+4	+2	+0
15-16	+8	+4	+2	+0
17-18	+9	+5	+3	+0
19+	+10	+5	+3	+0

Supplement I Sale

2010-07-23T17:37:00.000-04:00

For anyone on the fence after all this time about buying Supplement I for your Swords & Wizardry game, take 15% off by using the code BEACHREAD305 from now until August 15th! That lowers the cost of Supplement I to $8.50 US for a printed softcover manual!

Though I only market the book as S&W compatible, it is also compatible with OD&D, 'Red and Blue B/X', RC and Mentzer B/X D&D.

A virtual steal!

Give 'Em a Fighting Chance - Revised Fighting-man Combat Options

2010-07-18T14:53:00.000-04:00

Fighting-men in the OD&D rules and retro-games such as Swords & Wizardry are mechanically cookie cutters of each other. While the personality the player puts into his character is what everyone remembers most, every player wants his character to be unique in some way or be able to perform some special maneuver that is (generally) his alone to do, bringing not only a unique personality to this character, but maybe a special fighting-style as well that he will be known for.

The Fighting-man Combat Options have been revised and expanded somewhat for the Core Rules 2nd Printing, previewed here. In addition, they are compatible with OD&D, AD&D, "B/X", RC (if not using Weapon Mastery, otherwise it gets crazy), Mentzer D&D and of course S&W Core and Whitebox.

Fighting-man Combat Options (1st level) - Fighting-men learn one combat option at 1st level. Additional combat options are gained at 5th level and every 5 levels beyond.

Fighting-man Combat Options that have a number noted in (parenthesis) beside the name cannot be taken until the character reaches that level or higher.

• Armor Mastery (15th+ Level) - Choose a class of armor you are proficient with (Light, Medium or Heavy). While wearing an armor type of this class, you gain DR 2/-.

• Armor Optimization - Choose a class of armor you are proficient with (Light, Medium or Heavy). While wearing an armor type of this class, your skill penalty due to armor is lessened by 2 (minimum of 1).

• Berserk - This grants a +2 bonus to the attack roll and damage rolls for one entire combat, but the character takes a +1[-1] penalty to armor class as well. Immediately after the combat ends, the character must rest for 1 turn or be exhausted, suffering a -2 penalty to all die rolls and a +2[-2] penalty to armor class for the rest of the day.

• Cleaving Strike (5th+ Level) - If you kill a melee opponent of 1 HD or more, you can make an immediate free attack on another opponent within your melee reach, but no more than once per round.

• Combat Defense - You can voluntarily take a penalty to attack rolls up to the value of your Bonus to Hit (pg 48, to a maximum of -4) and gain this penalty as a bonus to armor class until you decide to end the defensive stance.

• Critical Strike - You quickly determine weaknesses you can see in your opponent’s fighting style. You can score a critical hit on a natural roll of ‘19’ (if you can hit your opponent) and ‘20’.

• Disarm - The character can attempt to remove his opponent’s weapon from his grasp. If the character makes a successful attack no damage is inflicted, but the target must make a Dodge saving throw with half the attacker’s level applied as a penalty to the die roll or his weapon falls 1d10 ft distant.

• Flying Kick - When fighting unarmed and charging, you deal an extra 1d6 points of damage with your unarmed attack.

• Holding the Line - If an opponent charges and moves through your attack area, your free attack will halt their charge if it is successful and they fail a Toughness saving throw.

• Lance Attack - When charging with a lance, the character inflicts triple damage on a successful hit.

• Manyshot - You can make a bonus missile weapon attack each round by hurrying your reload at the expense of accuracy. Your regular attacks suffer a -2 penalty ‘to hit’ and the bonus attack suffers a -4.

• Melee Archer - When throwing or firing a missile weapon while in melee combat, the character does not generate a free attack from his melee opponent(s).

• Mounted Archery - You are proficient in fighting from horseback, moving wagons or chariots with missile weapons and do not suffer penalties for unstable conditions.

• Mounted Combat - You are proficient in fighting from horseback, moving wagons or chariots with melee weapons other than the spear or lance and do not suffer penalties for unstable conditions.

• Overpowering Strike (10th+ Level) - When using a two-handed melee weapon the character can choose to make only 1 attack in a round with a -4 penalty to hit. If the attack hits, the target is flung 10 ft away from the attacker if it is the same size or smaller, taking an additional 1d6 damage if he strikes a hard surface and has a 50% chance of being knocked down.

• Pugilist - The character does +1 point of damage when striking with his bare hands or feet. He is considered wielding an allowed off-hand weapon and to have the Two-weapon Fighting ability while fighting unarmed.

• Sharp Shooting - When firing a missile weapon into melee combat, the character halves any chance to hit blocking melee combatants.

• Shield Hurl - If you are using a Light shield, you can hurl it with the same range and as a hand axe.

• Shield Mastery - Choose 1 type of shield (Light, Medium or Heavy) you are proficient in. While fighting with this shield type, the character gains an additional -1[+1] bonus to his armor class from the shield.

• Shield Strike - You can use a shield as an off-hand weapon and keep its AC adjustment. You are considered to be wielding an allowed off-hand weapon and to have the Two-weapon Fighting ability while shield striking. Light shields inflict 1d4 damage, medium shields inflict 1d6 damage for you.

• Shield Optimization - Choose a class of shield you are proficient with (Medium or Heavy). While using a shield type of this class, your skill penalty due to your shield is halved (minimum of 1).

• Single Weapon Style - Fighting with a one-handed weapon and nothing in your off-hand, grants you a +1 bonus to Dodge saving throws and a -1[+1] bonus to your armor class.

• Skewering Strike (5th+ Level) - If attacking with a lance, pole-arm, spear or trident any critical hits you make also strikes the creature in the 2nd rank behind your foe for normal damage.

• Smash (10th+ Level) - If you only make a single melee attack in a round at a -4 penalty, you add half your Strength score to your damage.

• Spear Maneuvers - When fighting with a spear the character can reach the 2nd rank while fighting 1-handed. The character may set a spear or trident against a charging opponent and if the character hits (attack roll required), he inflicts double damage to the charging opponent.

• Strike Mighty Blow - When using a two-handed melee weapon, you gain a +1 damage bonus.

• Taunt - Once per combat, you can enrage an enemy within 30 ft and get him to close into melee range with you, ignoring everyone but you if he fails an Ego saving throw.

• Two-weapon Defense - When fighting proficiently with two weapons, you gain a -2[+2] bonus to armor class.

• Two-weapon Fighting - You can fight with two weapons with less of a penalty to attack rolls with certain weapons (see pg. 46).

• Two-weapon Rend (10th+ Level) - When fighting proficiently with two weapons, if both weapons successfully hit the same opponent in the same round your opponent takes an additional 1d6 points of damage.

Desert Nomads Recap Session 1 & 2

2010-07-15T06:15:00.001-04:00

Session 1 - The party was traveling from a decimated Norsicar village they were working out of to one of their trade partner villages of the Vedine tribes in the Great Waste. They arrived at the Vedine village to find it had also been attacked by dark-clad desert warriors that appeared in the night, disappearing just as quickly afterwards. Searching discovered the enemy tracks simply stop in the desert not far from the village as if they were there and then just not there.

Word was given of another village with more defensible walls about 3 days march to the west by the Vedine Matriarch and part of the group went out to advance scout the way between while the rest remained behind to help protect the ragtag people still left and pack supplies.

The advance group arrived at the village of Paramya to find it breached and sacked, only 3 survivors remaining and one about to leave for safer places. One of the survivors was a madman suspected to be a plant of the enemy, but interrogating him got the party no coherent information and one member lost part of an ear when he pressed the crazy man for information (who then fled the village for the desert while screaming wildly). One man remained who claimed to survive the attack by hiding and told a tale of dark-clothed desert warriors appearing from the night and disappearing as quickly as they came. He also knows of the swamplands north up the river and how the locals believe they are holy land.

The rest of the group arrived a few days later with the remaining villagers. The decision was made by the Matriarch to shore up the walls and stay in the place.

In the middle of the night a man appeared in the desert near a sentry, calling for aid as a creature of pure darkness coalesced near him. After a pitched fight, the creature was sent back to whomever summoned it in defeat and the man, Richard, High Magos of Delphius, plead for aid before passing out from exhaustion and his wounds. Wasting no time, he was taken into the village and care was begun for him. Of note on his tattered robes was a patch of an eagle with a stylized Eye of Horus.

The first session ended here.

Session 2 picked up on the next morning. Richard awoke from his harrowing experience and when questioned told his tale of being an agent of the Eagles’ Nest, an organization devoted to supporting free trade between any and all kingdoms. He explained a mysterious person calling him or herself the ‘Master’ has been slowly and methodically gathering power in the western portion of the Sundered Shield Mountains, enlisting the more warlike tribes of desert people and other mercenaries as well as monsters to make quick strategic strikes while he masses his armies for all out invasion of Norsicar and Brunn.

The master itself ruled from some dread place in the Bogs of Mourn in an ancient Temple of Death built by a lost, ancient civilization. He pleaded with the adventurers to aid him in his task to defeat or weaken the Master by striking at him in the Temple itself. The rest of his group were destroyed by the creature in darkness that was driven off the previous night and he was in need of those that could protect him and see the deed done should he fall.

The group agreed and Richard produced a map of the Great Waste, detailing caravan paths through the desert. He revealed a caravan would be passing near the north side of the swamps that were upriver in 4 days time and the trip would take at least 3 if they couldn’t find a guide through the swamplands. The group eventually hired out the coward villager (since he owned the only boat and claimed the ‘unholy land’ was mere rubbish since he’s been in and around the swamps for years.

Making ready to leave the next morning, a wizard riding a wyvern swooped in and dropped 3 trolls into the water around the barge. The wizard then hasted the trolls and blasted the group. In the fray the Wyvern got polymorphed and hit the water, while the magic-user got lightning bolted while in the water and fried. The trolls took some punishment and dealt as well as they got until they were felled. Working quickly, the group patched up and made off. Poling the barge by day using the Cleric’s golem, the barge got stuck near evening. Three giant crabs surfaced, attacking the barge. After a hard-hitting fight they were defeated, but more damage was inflicted as well. Rok, one of the Rangers in the group, jumped into the murky salt water to retrieve one of the giant crabs for dinner and he was surprised and consequently mauled to death by a giant alligator laying in wait for just such an opportunity. His body retrieved and the alligator driven off, they continued north into the swamp until there was no river left to barge through. Exploring with the cowardly guide in the lead, the group spied a hut off the beaten path and decided to investigate, leaving the guide to wait for them.

Searching the clearing, the group tried to leave again only to find breaking through the thick reeds and saw grass brought them back to the clearing with the hut. They entered the hut only to find it bare except for a Forged Man laying under a blanket who has been trapped here as well for a long time…

Session 2 ended here.

Master of the Desert Nomads in the World of Onn

2010-07-09T07:43:00.002-04:00

Last week on 7/1 my Thursday night gaming group began running through one of my favorite module series from B/X D&D - X4 and X5, the Desert Nomad series. It's a litmus test for the Core Rules on more than a few levels and central to why they exist. I created the Core Rules because they are the game I want to play in the style I play.

With the simple framework the Core Rules are based on (Swords & Wizardry and the d20 SRD) after 2 sessions and about 6 combat encounters (and various interaction encounters) I have to say I'm extremely pleased with the results. So far, the only change I made to the module (other than cosmetic changes to place it in the Great Waste of Ossus) was to change the NPC that grants the quest that sets the adventures in motion (and this was only because I wanted to have him accompany the party and they didn't need another Cleric).

Not to give anything away for those who are playing in X4 currently or have a Referee considering running it, but the module has thus far been 100% (actually 110%) compatible with the Onn Core Rules. I say 110% because using Swords & Wizardry's single save mechanic meshes just fine with the creatures in the module, or using the standard saving throw mechanic from D&D (most often the monster save as a Fighting-man of a level equal to their HD). Attack rolls (Ascending or Descending depending on your taste), damage, spells, magic items...everything works as if it belongs and was always there.

The module recommends a level range of 6-9th level per character but a total of 50 levels for the entire party. The characters running through the module are a 10th level Spellblade (about the same as a D&D Elf-class), a 10th level Ranger, a 12th level Cleric, a 9th level Ranger (who died and was replaced by a 9th level Fighting-man) and an 11th level Magic-user - for a party level of 52, slightly higher than the recommended levels, but with less players and no real hirelings (although the surviving Ranger has some small insignificant animals companions, with the crowning achievement of an Owlbear companion, for the most part these are non-combatants).

Thus far there have been 2 major encounters - one Soul Eater and an Evil Patrol of a Magic-user riding a Wyvern with 3 hasted Troll foot soldiers. The party has been banged up and hurt by these and a couple of smaller encounters - to the point where after dealing with the Evil Patrol the party was travelling and didn't have time to fully heal, encountered some aquatic creatures (and defeated them after some more damage was inflicted) and when the one ranger got in the water to retrieve one of the creature bodies, a large crocodile laying in wait got a couple of bites on him and killed him.

This module thus far has been more interesting to run than at any other time ran it in the past for D&D and despite the PC death thus far, the players are having fun.

The addition of using Onn's Target d12 skill system has been a boon as well for the module, having preconverted all of the various "10% chance to notice the wyvern flying in fom the setting sun" (hey that's a Detect Hidden/Secret check agains a target of 12) or "1-in-6 chance to find an object lost in the swamp" (another Detect Hidden/Secret check against a target of 14) references has streamlined the module's mishmash of skill-type resolutions (not that I consider this a flaw in any way, but I prefer a loosely defined skill system personally so this was a boon to me).

All-in-all, thus far every pace I've put Onn Core rules through has been what I'd hoped (using the 2nd printing for its final playtest run has been very helpful as well). The real measuring stick I use to determine this though is the enjoyment of my players, because without them (and the players that came before them that allowed me to lay the foundation of what has become the Core Rules) this would just be another project that sits on my shelf with all the other games I don't play.

An additional cherry on the top of my pie was also the fact that the player that had the Ranger die rolled up a 9th level Fighting-man from start to finish in less than 30 minutes. That seems to be my break point in character genning, and he wasn't hardcore generating, as he had to wait on me to answer questions he wanted information on while I was continuing the adventure for the living PCs. Just pure awesomeness (to me at least).

Onn-ward Adventurers!

Character Sheets

2010-07-08T00:44:00.002-04:00

I've been fiddling around with various character sheets lately in my spare time. Even though I like a minimalist-style game system, the nuances and additives a character gains by virtue of his ability scores, race, class and equipment can create a complexity. I'm a HUGE fan of the old AD&D overly-informationed character sheets and I used then as the basis for what is, so far my favorite style of character sheet for my Onn game. Here's a peek at the front:

Core Rules, 2nd Print Revisions

2010-07-05T12:17:00.000-04:00

I finished up the revisions to the Core Rules for its 2nd Printing today. I talked with Kimberly over some additional art I'd like to put in as well and a small but solid list came out of it. So, when the artist is done, the new volume will be out.

The book itself still remains in a single column, 9-pt format and increased from 238 total pages to ~250 total pages. Inside are a new class (Barbarian), 30 additional monsters, new magical items, tons of new spells, errata from feedback on the 1st printing and more!

At a later date I may try a 2-column format to reduce the page count (and price), but that'll have to simmer on the back burner until Supplement II is completed...

2nd Print Supplement I is out!

2010-07-04T21:36:00.000-04:00

I finished up the 2nd printing of the original Supplement I for Swords & wizardry, incorporating the minor errata, expanding on the description of Onn and Ossus and added an overly detailed character sheet and spell book lists to the back of the book as well. If you haven't picked one up, now is a good time!

Link to the storefront can be found near the bottom of the nav column on the right!

New Magic Items

2010-06-27T13:13:00.001-04:00

A couple of the new/old magic items being added to the 2nd print of the Core Rules I thought I'd share (and compatible with Swords & Wizardry as well):

Prayerbeads of the Ages: This string of prayer beads contains a bead with the symbol of each deity inscribed on it (though some may be incomplete if found already used). If the prayer beads are used during 30 consecutive days when a divine spellcaster prays or worships to his deity and a bead dedicated to the deity is on the string, the bead disappears and the character’s Wisdom is raised by 1 point permanently. Usable by: Divine spellcasters.

Circlet of Power (-1, -2 or -3): This electrum band is worn about the head and possess a black pearl flanked by twin diamonds. While worn by a spellcaster, victims of his magic save with the penalty indicated. Usable by: Spellcaster classes.

Amulet of Magic Resistance (10%, 20% or 30%): Wearing this amulet grants the stated magic resistance to the wearer against all spells used on him. Usable by: All Classes.

The Oldguy is back!

2010-06-21T13:21:00.001-04:00

After a months-long absence Chgowiz, of the 'Old Guy RPG Blog' has made a return. His many thoughtful posts, ideas and insights have spurred some of my own takes and ideas into fruition in the past and I'm glad to see his return.

The link to the Chgowiz Old Guy RPG Blog is now active again.

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-20T09:57:00.000-04:00

For all of you gamers out there who have started growing the next generation and those that still have the parents that brought you into this world, Happy Father's Day!

For myself, finished up the second printing of Onn Supplement I for Swords & Wizardry this morning. Later this week, after I recieve the proof and have a chance to review it, it will go on sale (maybe by Friday). The second printing incorporates the errata for the first printing as well as updated information for Onn itself and Ossus (the lands featured on the Supplement).

Thanks to everyone for their support and Happy Father's Day!

Core Rules 2nd Print Progress III

2010-06-15T21:04:00.000-04:00

With the family events going on, I've had little time to post or work on projects. I did manage to get through the Monsters section and only increase the page count by 8 for monster descriptions. Currently when there is time, I've been adding the new monsters to and reworking the encounter tables. I'm still polishing up the Lairs and Tribal Spellcasters sections (still about a page long).

Then it's on to the Treasure section. There are only minimal changes planned for there, so hopefully there are no suprises. I plan on adding minimal information to the Atlas, mostly things like national exports, dominion type for kingdoms, and the ruler's name. If there is something you (the readers) want to know or think is useful, let me know in the comments or email me.

With everything going on, the only other project I've touched is Onn Supplement II for the Swords & Wizardry Core Rules. This has been shaping up extremely nicely and I hope it's a worthy follow up expansion to Onn Supplement I for your Swords & Wizardry games.

Core Rules, 2nd Printing Progress II

2010-06-08T21:04:00.000-04:00

Over the last few days I've gone through the Referee Section. There wasn't so much clairifying of the previous rules, as they were heavy enough to work on their own without turning them into a railroad, but remain more like guidelines and advice (as they should be). Several sections were added or added to with additional information. This information took the page count from that section from 8 pages up to 15, and included additional things like:

General Guidelines on new condition types (like being dazed, stunned, diseased, etc)
Rules for spells that rely on Concentration to maintain their effect
Dungeoneering Skills have been expanded (but not really clairified so they remain loose guidelines)
Some notes on environmental effects (like underwater combat)
The appendix for Strongholds and Fiefdoms has been expanded upon and added to this section as well
Reputation Rules, Item Saving throws and much more!

Next up I'm tackling the Monster Section. It's 54 pages of Monsters that will need reformatted and I plan to add about 30 additional monsters (hopefully only about 10 pages additional) and some guidelines for lairs and monster spellcasters (about a page worth). We'll see how it goes!

Ethereal Barrier

2010-06-04T19:18:00.001-04:00

Ethereal Barrier
Spell Level: Magic-user, 5th Level
Range: 60 ft
Duration: 1 turn / level

Ethereal Barrier causes a bit of Ether to be drawn into the caster’s presence and formed into a wall, cage or sphere. The barrier is indestructible to any means short of a disintegrate, wand of negation, limited wish or a full wish or an etherite weapon inflicting a total of 10 points per caster level on the wall. Magic cannot be cast through the wall or sphere versions of the Ethereal Barrier. The barrier also extends into the Ethereal Plane, thus creatures such as shifter cats can be trapped and even teleport-type magics are useless to escape the sphere version. The wall is 1 inch thick, and has a surface area of 200 feet (usually 10 ft x 20 ft); the cage can affect up to a 20 ft cube while the sphere affects roughly a 10 ft radius.

Ray of Weakness

2010-06-04T19:14:00.001-04:00

Ray of Weakness
Spell Level: Magic-user, 2nd Level
Range: 90 ft
Duration: 1 turn

When cast, this spell creates a grey beam from the caster’s hand that receives a +2 bonus on the ‘to hit’ roll. If a successful hit is made, the victim receives a -1 penalty on all melee ‘to hit’ rolls and damage rolls per 6 levels of the Magic-user and has his encumbrance limit halved.

Gaming Limbo

2010-06-02T14:33:00.000-04:00

Lots has been going on lately, forcing me to cancel my normally-running Thursday-night Onn game last week and this week and to miss the 1st session (and probably 2nd session as well) of a new 3.5-with-a-retro-feel campaign being run by my buddy Bart (which I am so looking forward to because his last campaign was something us old-times still talk about and it's been something like over a decade).

The Thursday group Sirac Point campaign has been put on indefinite hiatus, running a higher level game has opened a door I was waiting for those characters to level up high enough for me to do: Run some Expert-level D&D modules that I've had forever with World of Onn. Eventually when I get back to gaming, hopefully next week, we're going to be playing the Desert Nomad series X4 and X5. I'm not sure about running X10 since it contains all elements Mystara and may take too much to convert to Onn.

Man am I looking forward to this!

Energy Drain Poll!

2010-06-01T20:12:00.000-04:00

It's come up in several forums, blogs and emails I get from people. Energy Draining is one of the deadliest forms of non-kill (outright at least) attack forms a monster possesses. As a Referee, I see it as a debilitating attack form that should be rightly feared (and one that there are few avenues of recourse for). I've heard from others that simply slam the ability as 'nerfing' a character, 'crippling' a character, that it's a Referee's way to 'beat' a party that is too powerful for him to handle (I think this one comes from someone disgruntled with his Referee, but I'm not sure as it's not from anyone in my own group).

Energy Draining has been a staple of D&D and it's clones and is something a select few creatures in Onn possess. I'm curious now what others think of the ability and how they handle it.

The Scorn

2010-06-01T00:00:00.001-04:00

Scorn (L)
Armor Class:	0[19]
Hit Dice:	6+6 to 9+9
Attacks:	great spear (1d6+4) + tail (1d6+poison)
Saving Throw:	11 (6HD), 9 (7HD), 8 (8HD), 6 (9HD)
Morale:	8 (6-8HD), 9 (9HD)
Magic Resistance:	Nil
Special:	Strong poison
Move:	150 ft (50 ft)
Challenge Level/XP:	7 / 600 (6HD), 8 / 800 (7HD), 9 / 1,100 (8HD), 10 / 1,400 (9HD)

Once long ago the Scorn were natives to the midlands of Var-Ultar, before the Fire in the Sky. When the Fire carved its path of destruction through Ossus and Var-Ultar, the land and people that dwelt there were changed horribly - the land became a dry desert where only the hardiest plants could survive. Of the people, the few not killed outright by the event were horribly mutated. Most of these died off as well, but those who call themselves the Scorn are a tauric combination of man and giant scorpion that thrive in the dry wastelands. Scorn combine the body of a giant scorpion, but where the ‘face’ should be sprouts a bloated humanoid torso. Occasionally a slight mutation leaves a newborn scorn with the claws of the giant scorpion as well, granting 2 additional attacks for 1d6+1 damage each. The scorn are divided into tribes that criss-cross the Ironsands Desert. For the right price, they can be hired out as guides...but most enjoy the life of desert raiders.

Core Rules, 2nd Printing Progress

2010-05-22T23:55:00.069-04:00

I've been working on this over the last 3 months, based on feedback from other groups that bought and play the game and my own group. Most of it was minor tweaking here and there, but there have been 3 major changes/additions -

Bards were folded back into a Magic-user subclass. They started out that way in the Onn S&W Supplement I. I just like the idea of 3 base classes and on their own as a fully-fledged class they just don't seem right.
Saving throw progressions now match a character's attack progression ability, so a player need only make changes all at once when he reaches a plateu in combat ability, instead of having to check everything at each level.
I've decided to include the Barbarian in the 2nd print Core Rules as a Fighting-man subclass. In order to remain compatible with the 1st print, the Companion Book will include them in an appendix for those still playing 1st print.

In addition to errata there is some new material, especially in the magic section. The addition of new spells makes for a robust selection, but still has enough gaps for players to research their own innovative magics. Spell errata varied wildly from the feedback I recieved and even in my own group.

Clerics now have access to 12-1st, 11-2nd, 10-3rd, 9-4th, 9-5th and 9-6th level spells, total count 60 spells.
Druids now have acces to 16-1st, 16-2nd, 16-3rd, 15-4th, 15-5th and 15-6th level spells, total count 93 spells.
Illusionists got a major overhaul with 19-1st, 17-2nd, 15-3rd, 11-4th, 10 5th and 9-6th level spells, total count 81 spells.
Magic-users have been expanded to 28-1st, 26-2nd, 23-3rd, 23-4th, 21-5th, 19-6th and 16-7th level spells, total count 156 spells.

This is as far as I've gotten, but I have plans to include about 20 more monsters across the level ranges, more Referee information and some new magic items. If time permits Kimberly, hopefully there will be some new art in the layout as well.

In regards to the Companion, I will use an appendix to keep compatibility with the 1st print rules (aside from the Bard and Barbarian, there is very little since Saving Throws are all listed in the Core Rules for all levels). So no matter what there's something for everyone.

Energy Draining and Restoration

2010-05-14T12:33:00.001-04:00

Few things scare the hell out of old school players like petrification and energy draining. These are attack forms for which few recourses are available to reverse and in some situatons, are irreversible. Energy draining in particular is nasty for a character as in the most common form of D&D and its variant rulesets energy draining removes experience points from a character and lessens his effective level on the spot. No saving throw, no immediate recourse. Being hit multiple times results in multiple level losses (and some creatures can do so with each attack!) and create diminishing returns on a character's experience points on defeat of the creatures.

Also, the determining method as where the character ends up on the experience points needed to level from his newly reduced level depend on the game and version - from the minimum needed to be the new level, to the midpoint, to just 1 point shy of the old level. Experience is used as a nebulous measure of how much a character has learned / been through / understands what he has lived through, but yet the draining creature gains no benefit (other than healing a few hit points in some editions) and those points are lost forever. The most commonly used versions of the Restoration spell carry a heavy price for the caster and only restore enough experience to be at the minimum needed for the next higher level. If a character has been drained multiple levels, it can be an expensive endeavor.

Toying with various systems when working on Onn, I settled on a system that is similar to the scare-the-hell-out-of-you old school way, but with a twist:

Energy drained characters gain a System Shock saving throw and if that fails they lose level(s). Now, Onn's System Shock values are low enough that this seems like a good deal (17+ Constitution has a value of 20%, roll d% + level up to 10, trying to achieve a result equal or higher than your System Shock value). But this still means at least once out of every 5 or so attacks that hit will drain a level (or more, depending on how fickle the dice are).

Losing a level carries all of the connotations of D&D - the affected individual loses a number of hit points, his combat ability lessens, he loses the ability to cast some spells, etc and becomes a character of his new level. The draining creature heals a few hit points, sucking some of the character's life force away. The character keeps the same number of experience points though. He still retains his memories and knowledge, but becomes less able than someone else of the same experience point total due to his being drained of a part of his vital life essence, that intangible thing that makes adventurers a cut above normal members of their race.

When the character accrues enough experience points to advance, he still advances, but is considered one or more levels (depending on how many levels he has lost) less than another character of the same class. If at a later date, the character has a Restoration cast on themselves or some other similar effect, he gains the level(s) back.

For example, a 5th level Fighting-man with 30,000xp gets wacked by a spectre, fails his System Shock roll and loses 2 levels, becoming a 3rd level Fighting-man with 30,000xp. He still has the XP he has gained, but is less of a character for the draining he took than another character of the same XP total. When he reaches 32,000xp, he goes up a level just like any other Fighting-man, but is only 4th level since he has been drained 2 levels. If he has Restoration cast on him twice, he regains the 2 levels, becoming 6th level like any other character of his XP total.

This reduces the book keeping on both sides of the screen since the Referee need only note that the character has been drained 'X' number of levels. No finagling with experience point totals so characters simply continue to accrue them as normal.

Transmute Flesh to Shadow

2010-05-11T01:14:00.002-04:00

Transmute Flesh to Shadow*
Spell Level: Illusionist, 6th Level
Range: 20 ft
Duration: Permanent

When cast, if the victim fails a Toughness saving throw he becomes a shadow in all respects but he retains his armor class, hit dice and hit points unless those of a shadow are better. He will resemble his former self, even using shadow versions of his weapons and armor (these do not affect the combat statistics of the shadow).
The reverse of this spell, transmute shadow to flesh, will restore a transformed victim back to normal, or can be used to transform a shadow creature into a flesh and blood creature of a kind closely resembling the shadow with a failed Toughness saving throw (Flesh 'Shadow' - AC 7[12], HD 3+3, Att claw (1d4+Str drain), Save 14, Morale 7, MR Nil, Special strength drain, Move 120 ft (40 ft), CL/XP 4/120). In either case, if a System Shock saving throw is failed, the victim recieves 6d6 points of damage from the transformation.

Shadow Link

2010-05-11T01:01:00.001-04:00

Shadow Link
Spell Level: Illusionist, 2nd Level
Range: 30 ft
Duration: 5 rounds + 1 round / level

Shadow Link creates a metaphysical link between a creature and his shadow. If the target fails a Toughness saving throw, his shadow can be attacked with normal physical attacks and the damage inflicted on him as if he took the blow. The armor class of a shadow is 7[12], adjusted for Dexterity.

Shadow Bolt

2010-05-11T00:54:00.002-04:00

Illusionists dabble in more than merely the mind - they depend wholly on as much local conditions as much to produce magical effects that seem believable so their opponents believe they are real. Some of their magic comes from places and planes of eternal twilight and shadow however. Because they access these planes moreso than a Magic-user manipulates the Ether, they can turn seemingly innocent or harmless things into semi-real and highly dangerous things.

Shadow Bolt
Spell Level: Illusionist, 3rd Level
Range: 40 ft
Duration: Immediate

When cast, the Illusionist throws a crackling bolt of charged shadow energy 30 ft in length that follows the same rules as per a lightning bolt with respect to obstructions. Victims in the path of the Shadow Bolt recieve 1d4 points of shadow energy damage per level of the Illusionist and are blinded for 1d4 rounds. Victims succeeding a Toughness saving throw recieve half damage and are blinded for 1 round.

Dr. J.E. Holmes, RIP (1930-2010)

2010-05-08T21:06:00.002-04:00

A couple of months ago, rumors that Dr. J. Eric Holmes, editor of the 1977 Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set, had died. No one I talk to on a regular basis could confirm this as fact. Allan Grohe did so yesterday in a post on Dragonsfoot Forums, where he relayed information he'd received from Dr. Holmes' wife about his passing. According to Allan's information, Dr. Holmes died on March 20 as the result of a stroke (not his first). He had been of ill health for some time, being unable to attend at least one convention where he was to be featured as a guest of honor because of a previous stroke.

Another icon of the early days of gaming and one of the shapers of my own gaming experiences early in the 'old days' has moved on to the next table. Copies of his 'Blue Book' sit proudly on my shelf, alongside works by Gary, Dave, MAR Barker and other giants that helped shape the way I share my game and introduced me to the good friends I've met and made over the years thanks to this game.

Rest well gentleman and never be forgotten.

Hideous Merriment

2010-05-08T08:52:00.002-04:00

Hideous Merriment
Spell Level: Illusionist, 2nd Level
Range: 60 ft
Duration: 5 rounds

When cast this spell will affect 1d6 living creatures. For victims that fail an Ego saving throw, they begin laughing hysterically and dancing a mad jig for the spell’s duration, unable to attack and losing any positive Dexterity adjustments and possible shield bonuses to armor class. When the spell ends, the victims are forced to make a Toughness saving throw, with failure indicating they suffer from exhaustion.

Wall of Thorns

2010-05-07T21:26:00.003-04:00

Wall of Thorns
Spell Level: Druid, 6th Level
Range: 80 ft
Duration: Permanent

The Druid conjures up thorny vines filling a 5 ft x 5 ft x 10 ft cube per two levels. Creatures in the area of the thorns suffer 2d4+2 points of damage. Hacking through 5 ft of vines with edged weapons inflicts full damage, whiel blunt weapons and piercing weapons inflict minimum damage. Each round spent hacking through the wall inflicts damage to the character. Each 5 ft section of the wall possesses 24 hit points plus the caster's level. Moving through a hole created thusly inflicts half damage each 5 ft moved due to the stray vines sticking and hanging out to catch the unwary. Normal fire is ineffective against the wall of thorns, but magical fire will burn them, creating an effect similar to a wall of fire for 1d4 turns if the damage is not enough to outright destroy it.

Shillelagh

2010-05-07T21:23:00.001-04:00

Shillelagh
Spell Level: Druid, 1st Level
Range: Touch
Duration: 1 turn

The Druid can enchant a wooden club or staff to be a +1 weapon that inflicts 2d4+1 points of damage. For the purpose of damage reduction, it functions as Arc Wood as well.

Divine Disciple

2010-05-07T21:14:00.002-04:00

Several times in my games players of Clerics have asked if they could use the holy energy of 'turn undead' to accomplish other things. In 3rd edition, this is commonly encouraged by the taking of various 'divine feats'. Since Onn uses no such 'modern' system, I've winged it and allowed various (minor) effects from time to time, since in my estimation, a Deity provides what (it) feels his faithful needs to accomplish their tasks of providing worship and attracting prestige, wealth and new followers.

Since Onn only allows for limited turning attempts in a single day (2 to 5, based on the Cleric's Wisdom adjustment), I thought a spell appropriate to define what else a Cleric can do with this ability. The effects are minor, especially since it effectively allows for a variance of effects and grants additional powers to a powerful class already, but they are useful, especially to a Cleric of 3rd level or higher who has some spell slots to play with.

Divine Disciple
Spell Level: Cleric, 1st Level
Range: Self
Duration: 48 turns (8 hours)

Divine Sacrifice allows the Cleric to put the holy energy his Deity provides for his ability to Turn Undead to other uses. After this spell is cast the Cleric can choose what effect his use of each individual turn undead attempt will have (if he chooses not to actually turn the undead):

All allies in the area of effect are healed 1 hit point (dying allies are treated as if they succeeded at their System Shock roll for the round).
The Cleric can affect Demons and attempt to exorcise them as a Divine Champion, but at half his Cleric level.
Clerical wards and sealing spells / effects can be destroyed with the same chances as dispel evil, but at half the Cleric’s level.
A turn attempt can be used to augment a healing spell immediately cast after it, increasing the effect of the healing spell by +50%.

The Referee may decide that other uses may be possible as well, at his discretion.

Slow Blogging - May

2010-04-27T22:52:00.002-04:00

There may be a slowing down of material on the blog for the next month.

I'm hard at work finishing up OB1 - Expedition to Haindrad's Tomb, which is as much wilderness exploratoration as a site-based adventure as it is a location-based adventure for 1st-3rd level characters. Kimberly has submitted several cover concepts for it. One I liked particularly well and I'm hoping it turns out as good as I think it will.

I started drafting up OB2 - Grimwood Keep, a location-based ruin and dungeon for 2nd-5th level characters.

OE1 - Jotun Pass is a site-based wilderness adventure for 8th-12th level characters that I'm pulling together as well.

Work on a Second Printing vesion for the Core Rules is moving along. The major change involved is slowing down the progression of saving throws to match the attack matrix/bonus of the class being played. This helps spells and effects keep their punch better at mid levels instead of the yawn fest that happens when a player or Referee asks for a save and a natural '1' isn't rolled.

As well, work on the Core Rules Companion is going on too.

The major reason is that family is visiting for the majority of May from across the Atlantic (from Norway) so my time, when not working and sleeping, will be taken by enjoying their company and visiting with family. They only get to visit a couple of times a year, so understandably, I will be very busy this coming month.

Dungeoneering Skills for Onn

2010-04-26T15:38:00.011-04:00

While some people decry using skills in D&D and D&D-clones as 'modernization', using ability checks and the x-in-d6 chance for things has existed since Original D&D first came out way back in the 70's. There were no Thieves in that very first game (they being added in Supplement I: Greyhawk) and all characters could perform 'dungeoneering skills' like sneaking and picking locks.

My first skill system for the World of Onn used a d12 with a 1-4 chance of success instead of a d6 with a 1-2 chance of success, because I like using modifiers for conditions, difficulty and ability scores (as a side note, this can make things as simple or as complicated as you let it be). Through the playtesting though, I found it easier to have a specific target number (much like the modern 'DC' D&D 3.x and 4 use). In addition, it just makes things easier to figure out on the fly when dealing with running a modern module and using Onn (or Swords & Wizardry).

I still use a Target12 system for my skills, finding a d6 too small to use with almost any modifiers, but a d20 way too huge and leading to skill bloat. Besides, the d12 is like a red-headed stepchild and needs some love (or maybe it's my odd liking of things...odd).

Dungeoneering Skills

Skill	Relevant Ability Score
Appraise Item	Intelligence
Climbing	Constitution
Decipher Writing	Intelligence
Detect Hidden	Wisdom
Disarm Trap	Intelligence
First Aid	Intelligence
Leap/Jump	Strength
Listening	Intelligence
Open Doors	Strength
Pick Locks	Dexterity
Sneaking	Dexterity
Swimming	Strength
Wilderness Lore	Intelligence

Of course, keeping Onn a retro-style game means the skill list should be small and these are the ones that have been the most relevant in both campaigns I've run. The skill challenge targets I codified in the following manner:

Dungeoneering Skill Targets

Difficulty	Target	3.x/4e DC	X-in-6
Very Easy*	6	5 or less	5
Easy	8	6-10	4
Average	10	11-15	3
Difficult	12	16-20	2
Very Difficult	14	21-25	1
Nearly Impossible	16	26+	1-in-d8

*Only roll if character is under duress or failure has major impact, otherwise use your judgement.

This was done for two reasons: 1) since all the new material is written for a skill system like 3.x/4e it's easier to have some form of conversion written down to keep things consistent; 2) Having a solid targtet number to work with keeps the game flowing smoother if you're using any skill system. The Target12 system still uses a d12 to roll the check and is basically the following formula:

d12 + any racial adjustment + relevant ability score adjustment + misc adjustments

If you equal or exceed the target number, you have a success. A natural 12 is also considered an automatic success and a natural 1 is an automatic failure. As noted many times though, the Referee should use his judgement where skills are concerned. If a character has set himself up to succeed by creating favorable conditions and/or is using the proper tools for the job (with a proper amount of stress-free time), then generally they should succeed at any difficulty of task eventually.

One may also notice that there are no social interaction skills. Charisma can be used to affect the reactions of NPCs and monsters and the degree of success (or failure), but a die roll should never be used to replace the social aspect of a ROLE-playing game, as discussed many times at length (such as the last post and across the OSR blogosphere).

I may use this expanded version of skill challenges in Onn's 2nd printing, but even though it works well for me I don't know if the feel is right for the retro-feel I want Onn to have.

Skill Challenges and When to Roll

2010-04-25T11:24:00.000-04:00

Where D&D is concerned, some people consider it an 'evolution' of RPGs to have a 'singular' or 'unified' mechanic that everything can be formulized down into. The 3.5e and 4e games took this concept (which in truth has been around for a long time in other game systems) and ran like the wind with it. One of the side effects (or possibly the driving forces) behind this is the codification of skills in a class and level-based game system. Is there a reason why a character gets better at weapon smithing if he spends 3 months earning a few levels and is in a dungeon a majority of the time? How does he learn about smithing and practice it while he's down there? Other skills are more appropriate to everyday adventuring, like searching (and knowing where to search) and sneaking. Adventurers practice these skills every day of their lives.

The other side of the coin is when do you make a character roll a skill check and how often is it important? I embrace the randomness of the dice at every opportunity in my own games. But, that's where they become tools for creativity and not enslavers to the rules. Actual skill checks are made when I deem it important to know if a character can fail at such a task and if said task has reprecussions that could have a major effect in the game. Case in point: a 1st level Ranger I would have roll a skill check when encountering tracks to determine if he can tell the aproximate age, number of creatures and type of tracks. Does he know the difference between a giant and an ogre? The same Ranger at 9th level I would simply give the character the 'simple' information, but make a check for anything more exotic, such as if any appeared to be weighed down (with treasure or captives) or if any appear wounded or decrepit (by the way one particular set of tracks compared to others of the same type).

Player knowledge and actions play an important role at my table as well, which is why I frown on systems that use their unified mechanic where role-playing can be an important part of the game, such as when gathering information or dealing with an important NPC. Now, not every player has incredible social skills or the intimate knowledge of the campaign world's peoples, but if a player makes an honest attempt and uses whatever knowledge the party has gained through its adventuring then he should succeed. If a 'skill check' is needed for some reason for any type of PC to NPC interaction, the Referee should roll a check to the NPCs reactions and apply the speaking character's Charisma adjustment to the roll, along with a bonus of his choosing that reflects how much the player is using the knowledge the party has gained that might be relevant to the NPC. For this, I love players that take notes. Sometimes I give out alot of information. Usually most of it isn't relevant at the immediate moment, but down the road the tidbits become useful. When a player takes the time to commit the information to memory via notes and then uses them later in the campaign, I know they are enjoying the campaign because they are interested in what's going on (some people don't ever need to take notes and can quote something you said 6 months ago, these types of players are just as good since they are 'living notebooks'). In these cases, I treat all hostile results as indifference, unless the player is making some huge blunders when interacting with an NPC that simply cannot be overlooked (and this happens in real life as well on occasion, so you can use it to generate more adventure opportunities so the adventurers can 'save face' with the NPC group in question).

The players' knowledge should never be confused with their characters' knowledge, but they should be allowed to play the part of their characters when given the opportunity. Telling a player that he cannot do something because his 'skill level' isn't high enough flies in the face of the old school notion that characters can attempt do anything, even if they don't have a good chance for a favorable outcome.

The Tale of the Dice

2010-04-23T12:48:00.000-04:00

My dice hate me. Most people comment on how a bad roll during this one game affected the outcome, or that one time years ago they had a character die because of a fumble or rolled a natural 1 on a skill check or critical failure doing something important. That’s blasé where my dice are concerned. Oh sure, once a year or so they go on a hot streak and my players bemoan their fate for that evening, but knowing if they survive what is sure to be hours of pain for their characters the rewards will be truly awesome (because I usually randomly roll most treasure on the spot as well), but most of the time my dice just plain suck.

Case in point last night. The Sirac’s Point group rolled up higher level characters to take a couple weeks off from the normal low level campaign. I gave them a set of guidelines for character creation and on the 250k XP, we ended up with an 8th level Spellblade, an 8th level Ranger, a 9th level Ranger and an 11th level Cleric. Now, each player could draw as much mundane equipment as they wanted (and could reasonably carry) and after generating magical gear, most was par for the course as far as magic goes (there were a couple of powerful items, but nothing overly powerful). The Cleric wanted a crystal golem (something he invested most of his adventuring coin in was used as the explanation) and was allowed, the Spellblade had a ‘3rd level’ dog familiar, one Ranger a pair of ferrets, a war dog and hawk for animal companions and the other ranger a giant centipede for his animal companion (which he was ridiculed for as such an odd choice, but later turned out to be a good choice since it was combat-capable). No one had an AC better than -1[20].

After doing the details, ordering food and finally getting down to play, there was one major encounter - a group of 5 hill giants. At +8 to hit and inflicting 2d8 damage per hit, the combat was pretty one-sided. The players took light damage (except for the Cleric, who was a dwarf and used as bait to draw them in), but my dice consistently rolled 2 through 6 (10-14 with the +8), which wasn’t enough to hit even these lightly armored adventurers. The giant’s treasure, about 5k in gold value, when traded out came to 2 gems worth less than 225 gpv. No magic items, not even a potion.

They (wisely) avoided an encounter with a herd of at least 4 gorgons (my rolls failed to detect the sneaking Ranger who was scouting). In retrospect though, the armored dwarf Cleric could have been scouting and they would have continued grazing unawares by the die results.

When they camped for the night, the lone success I had was with a black orc. It crept into the camp while one of the rangers was on watch and successfully stuck him in the back. It didn’t come close to killing the Ranger, but the fact that after all the mods he successfully sneaked in and got off a successful attack, well the deck was stacked against him. He was cut down in short order, but he served his purpose. The dice went back to normal though, granting the orc no treasure, except the crappy short sword he carried and his padded armor.

This becomes a problem for games I Referee, because the players and their characters will go mostly unscathed unless you concentrate a majority of your attacks on a single character and alpha strike him, thereby allowing the players to pick you apart. Sometimes I’ve outmatched the group by 3x or 4x their level with encounters on purpose (and this would spell TPK or near TPK in other groups I’ve played in over the years), but while difficult and occasionally deadly, most of my groups survived mostly intact. All because of my dice. I should note I don’t play antagonistic towards my players or as a me vs. them mentality, but one of the aspects of the game is to provide combat challenges…keyword being challenges. It’s pretty darn hard to provide said challenges if the random generation aspect of the game doesn’t seem all that random, and is consistently on the bottom side of the number generation ability of the dice.

In both groups I play in, tales of my dice and their ability to snatch defeat from the arms of victory are legendary. For every story of something cool that has happened, my friends can give you two stories of how things have gone horribly wrong for me because my dice hate me. The funny thing is, over the years I’ve acquired new dice, been given dice as gifts, found dice in gaming products I’ve bought in old bargain bins and off of e-Bay and their story just adds to the living legend of “Jim’s Dice”. In a way it’s frustrating because I love this hobby a lot, but one of the integral parts of it doesn’t give me a lot of love back.

Over the years I’ve come to embrace the tough love, knowing there will be a session where the dice go red hot for just a bit and allow me to do something phenomenal and I take a bit of twisted pride when someone else at the table goes on a cold streak and someone says “it looks like you’re rolling Jim’s Dice”.

In my circles of gamer friends, I’ll take that claim to infamy, as long as they enjoy the games.

Roll on!

Campaigns

2010-04-21T19:26:00.000-04:00

The Sirac's Point group is taking a hiatus from the campaign for the next 2-3 weeks. Tomorrow (4/22) we're playing higher level (8th-11th) characters for a break from the low level campaign and letting the group see what the high end of mid-level play is like.

Thus far we have a Giantkin Ranger, a Gnoll Ranger, an Elven Spellblade and a Dwarven Cleric of Gromlun. We'll see how the party fares against the denizens of northeastern Ossus since most of my games have been set in the southern portion of the continent.

In the same vein as my Sirac's Point game, mostly everything has been generated randomly and fitted together so it makes sense (even if it takes reality-warping explanations that don't make sense, it makes sense!) but instead of a sandbox, they group is playing a module-type game. We'll see how well they fare...

Power Word Sleep

2010-04-20T20:48:00.000-04:00

Power Word Sleep
Spell Level: Magic-user, 6th Level
Range: 120 ft
Duration: 6 turns

When a Power Word Sleep is uttered, 4d6 hit dice worth of enemies of 7 Hit Dice or less in a 20 ft cube are put into an enchanted slumber, beginning with the weakest creatures first.

Tales from Sirac's Point, Session 11

2010-04-20T13:48:00.002-04:00

Played Thursday, April 15th...

Mirus 5th, 5231 AC

Inexplicably, the group decided to trek back to the army camp they left the previous day. Flambo, citing his faith, regretted his negligence in looking for any portable forges that an army of that size would have carried. Also, there were some other things that other members of the group wanted to investigate. Rak'Shan, who wanted no part of going back, went 'looking for his lion' and would rejoin the group back in Sirac's Point in a week's time.

Making the trek back to the camp, Galeena (who was scouting) suddenly stopped and the group barely heard her screaming. Rushing to her last known position they found a large hole, nearly 10 ft across, dug into the earth. Below, they could hear her screaming to get her out and there was something moving in there with her. Flambo, remembering he had wings, took to the sky to keep a vigilant watch while she was fished out. Galeena scrambled topside, screaming that something was following her and Flambo noted at the same time there were several of the holes dotting the nearby area.

Seconds later, half a dozen stag beetles erupted from the burrow holes. There was furious combat with some impressive wounds, with one of the beetles impaling Autumn and dashing her to the ground before being dispatched. Flambo reported there were more holes all around them and the decision was made to leave the area quickly since there was the possibility of a colony under their feet.

They arrived back at the army camp and Vendee excused himself to start a patrol. The others set about searching for the mobile forge, eventually finding it. With what was left of the day, Flambo set about performing minor repairs to the party's weapons and armor.

Mirus 6th - 8th, 5231 AC

With the materials at hand, Flambo (with Autumn and Cregg's help) set about creating a mold for a rather large hammer that Flambo could reasonably wield with two hands. Going over the stocks for the campsite and the party's resources, there was some lamenting that they did not have access to any alchemical reagents to bond silver with steel to make a weapon-grade silver weapon. While the hail and rain fell over the camp Flambo was hard at work casting and forging his hammer, Vendee and Galeena relaxed.

Mirus 9th - 11th, 5231 AC

With Flambo done the rough casting and essential forging, he had a giant hammer (30 gp, 1d12+1, SF 8, 40 lbs, two handed for Large-size, cannot be used by Man-size or smaller) that he could work on with the forging tools while they travelled. Leaving early on the 9th of Mirus and under clear skies, the party again set their sights to the southwest, and back to Sirac's Point.

Mirus 12th, 5231 AC

In the afternoon, the party stumbled across three human bodies that were savaged by slashing attacks. Deducing either sword, axe or extremely sharp claws, the wounds were fresh and while not oozing blood still, the blood had not dried out yet. Flambo took to the sky with Galeena (citing her ability to find things well in just about any situation) to make sure there were no hostiles nearby. The rest of the group searched them quickly, one was found to possess a copper signet ring with the design of a lion's head. The rest of their equipment was mundane except for a short sword on one of the men’s' belt. It looked of common (old) design, with bronze wire wrapping the handle (a more common thing during the height of the Zuhn Empire and their advanced technology). Vendee drew the weapon, revealing a gleaming silver blade with golden inlays unworn by time or use. Cregg cast a detect magic revealing it has some magical enchantment. Not seeing any writing or enchanting runes on the weapon, Vendee cast read magic, revealing in magical writing the word "Evnar" written on the blade.

Reading the word aloud, Vendee felt a presence in his mind, but pushed it back out again and quickly sheathed the weapon, wrapped it on canvas, wound it in rope and placed it in a sack. By this time, Flambo and Galeena returned and reported the all clear. Discussion of the sword and its effect on Vendee were made and it was removed from the wrappings and bag so that Flambo could examine it. Being a representative of the Forge God, he may be able to deduce something about it the reasoning went. As a precaution though, Flambo cast protection from evil on himself before handling the weapon. He examined it, noting the old design and antiquity, but other than its sharp edge and new looking blade, could find nothing else about it. Autumn was offered a chance to handle the weapon, being a pure warrioress but she declined citing Galeena's handling of the black orb and unknown magical items' effects. Rewrapped and replaced in the bag, the group moved on.

Mirus 13th - 15th, 5231 AC

Under clear skies and warming weather, the group finally arrived at Sirac's Point on the morning of the 15th. Stopped at the Trader's Gate, a member of the guard informed them that skirmishes with units from the Kingdom of Brunn has made things uneasy for the citizens and all weapons larger than a dagger are required to be tied or confiscated. Brunn forces have made several investigatory movements and there have been two known ship conflicts on the seas.

Cregg made mention of the battlefield they stumbled across as well as the camp, much to the rest of the group's dismay. When pressed, the guard revealed the Brunn soldiery wore purple tabards, the same ones the fallen soldiers wore. The guard sent a runner for the captain and thanked them for the information, hustling them along and out of the gate so that others could pass through.

The rest of the day was spent visiting Cicero's Books with Haindrad's Journal. Cicero confirmed that the writing was indeed authentic, matching several plans he once owned dealing with Haindrad's Keep and when asked to read the end he closed the book and gave it back. "You have the most valuable work currently ever recovered from the Zuhn Era and a death sentence. If this was magically warded then whomever did so will know it has been recovered, please take it from here quickly!" Cicero would have nothing else to do with the book, even refusing to house it in his vault for fear of who may come looking for it, explaining "Apathos teaches his faithful Haindrad was a great hero and died faithful. If the priests learned otherwise, the carriers of the book would all be hunted down and put to death for their heresy to his church." The group agreed to take it and asked about the plans he mentioned. They were told to return in three days or so to give Cicero time to locate them.

They visited Suelomon's Wonders, dumping off several oddities they had found over the last month or so of adventuring, including some of the idols and statuettes. Producing one of the stag beetle heads, Flambo scared his assistant, making her jump on a table while screaming. She retrieved Vargas, head curator and promptly left. He examined the items and asked for a few days as well to properly evaluate them.

The group pretty much split up at this point, taking their shares of treasure and heading off into the market. Vendee visited a gunsmith trader from Kurtonus, purchasing several grenades for the three servitors; Galeena bought a suit of plate mail; Cregg and Autumn bought better armor and weapons as well (Cregg noticed all of the infrequent stares and whispering references to the Apathos symbols adorning his armor and decided to go lower profile for the time being).

Lastly Vendee ended up at Towere Sorcerere. Attended to by one of Varja's apprentices, he bought several scrolls to add to his spell book and Flambobought a silver horn that summons berserk warriors to aid him and nearly bought a magical weapon the apprentice called Tania's Staff of Holding. As it turned out, Vendee looks down on 'mage weapons' but Cregg did purchase a magical armband that once belonged to a faithful of Tymira and Autumn bought a magical scimitar. The group also paid to leave several items with the apprentice as well so that their magical properties could be identified and would return for them in a few days.

Here is where the session ended...

Character	Sex/Race	XP Given	XP Total	Next Level
Curate Flambo of Vulknar	Male Endu	1,500	13,860	27,000 (+10%)
Vendee the Arcane Guardian	Male Elf	1,500	14,529	16,200 (+10%)
Galeena the Warrioress	Female Halfling	750	6,407	7,600 (+5%)
Curate Cregg of Tymira	Male Human	1,500	12,635	27,000 (+10%)
Rak’Shan the Disciple	Male Tigran	750	10,369	15,200 (+5%)
Autumn the Warrioress	Female Human	750	6,228	7,600 (+5%)

Flambo and Cregg have reached the level of Curate!

Busy Weekend

2010-04-18T10:48:00.001-04:00

Normally I keep things rolling out on the blog over the weekends while others go into 'weekend hiatus'. Fortunately (for me) this was a Gaming Weekend with my regular World of Onn - Tales from Sirac's Point game on Thursday the 15th and Saturday's 3.5e Magister Series game run by Jake. My work schedule covers weekends as well, so between being father, worker and gamer I had little time to have an online presence.

The Sirac's Point game has reached a point where, while it has been sandbox-heavy, there are things that go on whether the PCs have a hand in them or not. My players though seem to have a knack for being in the middle of the biggest poop though and several relevations came to light during Session 11. I'll post the full session log on Monday (my 1st day off next week!).

Something interesting has also been happening to the Saturday group for a while now, but I've refrained from commenting on it. Most of the people in that group are longtime gamer friends that stretch back into the AD&D days. They play 3.5e now, but there is a retro-culture movement in the group. While I was working on my Onn Core Rules, I took my leave from gaming on Saturdays so that I could put my free time into writing. While away it seems that oldschool elements have found their way back to the gaming table, albeit slowly, and are changing the game. One great example of this was last night. The topic of 'bouncing' lightning bolts off of walls and floors and fireballs that expand to fill their volume came up. The group all voted in favor of such things again. Jake (DM) said the change would be made, but he wasn't going to change the current rules in the middle of the session so there would be some consistency.

Now I know the major reason for the group playing 3.5e is as much economical as anything else. I sold off my entire collection of rulebooks in the summer of '08 to some lucky guy on e-Bay and never looked back. But easily, other people in tha group have spent over $1,000 for rulebooks, complete books, supplements, etc like I did. The amusing thing (as I see it) is we played the perfect game for the group back in the day and even with the modern version of the game, I've noticed the little bits being put back into it are directly from this era most of us played so long ago.

I gave out Onn Core Books to them as (very) late Christmas gifts because they were the group that primarily playtested my game and I would have never had the opportunity to create it without them. Maybe down the road I'll ask them to consider playing it in between the current-running campaigns as a filler if my work schedule allows for it and they seem receptive to the idea.

Knockspell #4 Available

2010-04-14T14:39:00.002-04:00

Knockspell Issue #4 contains a veritable cornucopia of gaming content for your retro-clone or out-of-print fantasy campaign! Here's a preview of the table of contents:

From Kuroth’s Quill - Allan T. Grohe, Jr.
Beneath the Crossroads: an Adventure - Joshua James Gervias
Artist Interview: Christopher Burdett
Megadungeon Adventuring Tactics - Matt Finch
Isles on an Emerald Sea 3: An Adventure - Gabor Lux
Random Tavern Generator - Robert Lionheart
Artifact Type & Attributes - Scot Hoover
Spell Interval System - John Stater
Online Roleplaying: A Quick Overview - Marcelo Frossard Paschoalin
Rats in the Walls: an Adventure - Jeffrey P. Talanian
Stealing the Histories - Michael Curtis
Free-Form Rules as a Referee’s Toolbox - Al Krombach
Rolling Along: Wheeled Magic Items - James Bobb and Kimberly Nicholson
Weird Weather and other Unexplanable Phenomena - J Shoultis, J Larrey, J Hartleb
Review: The Dungeon Alphabet - Allan T. Grohe, Jr.
Weapon Generator - J.R. Cone
New Magic Items - James Bobb

Knockspell #4 is now available in both print and pdf versions from Black Blade Publishing.

My minor contributions (and Kimberly Nicholson's as well) to this issue are a few magical wheels and some other miscellaneous items of varying use to enterprising adventurers.

Psychic Weapon Examples

2010-04-13T10:06:00.003-04:00

To the casual observer, a Psychic appears much as a spellcaster does, invoking powers that seem magical and create effects that sometimes are similar in nature to magic. Here are several weapons that make use of the Psychic's Astral Field and seem similar to magic, but to the Psychic are as mundane as the physical weapons they are created in the image of.

Psychic Weapons Table

Weapon Name	Cost	Damage	SF	Weight	Notes
Mindblade	-	-	-	-	-
...Battle Axe	100 gp	1d8	4	2	-
...Hand Axe	20 gp	1d6	2	2	-
...Dagger	40 gp	1d4	1	2	-
...Long sword	300 gp	1d8	4	2	-
...Short Sword	160 gp	1d6	2	2	-
Mind Gun	3000 gp	1d8+1	1	2	-
Mind Rifle	6000 gp	1d12+1	6	4	-
Thought Whip	100 gp	1d3	5	2	7

Psychic weapons all resemble a crystalline handle (Astrillium) of different designs. The design of the handle determines the shape of the weapon. When held by a Psychic or a Natural Talent, the crystal focuses a fraction of the wielder's Astral Field into a solid, tangible weapon. Mind Guns (pistols) and Mind Rifles (rifles) form the Astral Field into small bursts, fired by the weapon at the appropriate time. Thought Whips have the same abilities as a normal Whip (notation 7). Damage inflicted is the same as a normal version of the weapon in all cases.

Optionally, the wielder's Charisma (instead of Strength) can be used to determine bonus damage if the Referee deems Charisma to be in line with determining a character's 'force of personality'.

New Materials

2010-04-13T09:23:00.001-04:00

Items, weapons and armor made from non-traditional materials has been a hallmark of every fantasy game and movie since the dawn of...well...fantasy games and movies. Conan's Starmetal Sword, the Amber Sword at World's End, Dragon-scaled Shields, there can most certainly be an exhaustive list created for those so inclined. Presented here are two special materials that see use on the World of Onn - Etherite and Astrillium.

Etherite is a rare, light grey metal found when the boundary between the Ethereal Plane and the mortal realm weakens deep underground. The iron ore in the affected area is mutated in some manner and takes on quasi-magical properties. Weapons made of Etherite consider 1 point of their damage to be magical damage while armor negates 1 point of purely magical damage from a magical-based attack (such as magic missile or a magical weapon). Other types of items can be made from Etherite as well, with any special effects being determined by the Referee. Enchanting Etherite items only require half the time since they take enchantments so easily.

Etherite items cost 20x more than normal to manufacture.

Astrillium is created similarly to Etherite - in places where the mortal realms and the Astral become close, the minerals are especially receptive to the energies of the Astral and mutate into Astrillium, a crystalline mass as hard as diamond and flexible as steel. Weapons made from Astrillium consider one point of their damage to be psychic damage while armor infused with it negates 1 point of psychic damage. Other types of items can be made from Astrillium as well, with any special effects being determined by the Referee. Astrillium is difficult to enchant, requiring twice the time as magic simply will not easily take to the crystal, while infusing psychic power into an Astrillium item takes but half the required time.

Astrillium items cost 20x more than normal to manufacture.

"Scott's Gnolls"

2010-04-10T12:21:00.001-04:00

One thing of note, I introduced the party to Gnolls for the first time during Session 10. Around the gaming tables of both groups I play in, "Scott's Gnolls" evokes a sense of uncertainty and dread. Scott (who plays with Brian in the Saturday 3.5e game) ran games way back in the AD&D days and his Gnolls were every bit as crafty and dangerous as PCs. They hunted in packs, they used tactics, they tracked you down and hunted you to exhaustion, then they would play with you like a chew toy until they were ready to go in for the kill. As much as we came to admire and hate Brian's Orcs for their military might and regimen, we outright feared Scott's Gnolls for their intelligent application of their feral skills.

Imagine your common wolfpack (or hyena pack) but man-shaped and just as intelligent, possessing the natural abilities and tendencies practiced over hundered or thousands of years. Now you just attracted their attention. You know there's a pack of them and you see a few, but you know and feel more...watching, waiting...for just the right moment when the packlord signals them in for the kill...

You run...thinking you got away, but then you feel it...that dread...that sense that you're wrong...heart racing, scanning the brush, trees, squinting into the tall grass...

You feel something on your side, look down and an arrow, slick with your blood is sprouting from you. You look up again and as things go dark, you see them circling and closing in, sensing their Hunt is at an end...

Yeah...Scott's Gnolls are something to rightly be feared....even after all these years...

Tales from Sirac's Point, Session 10

2010-04-09T09:24:00.006-04:00

It felt good to get behind the wheel again after being off for 2 weeks. Lots of developments from randomness and reinforcement that my dice hate me (or just like my players more)! Session recount will be available in a few days.

Updated 4/11 -

Solenus 25th - 32nd, 5231 A.C.

After the crypt was thoroughly searched, the group decided since the hole in the nearby room was seemingly the only way outsiders like the orcs could gain entrance into the tomb, they would use one of the larger sarcophagus lids and shatter some statuary for heavy rubble and plug the hole. Vendee and Cregg used scraps of leather from fallen enemies and cut cloth strips from cloaks to make a hammock for Galeena and attached it to the former orc chief’s throne and a statue. They hunkered down for a week like this, the Clerics trading off tending to the wounded.

Cregg got some lessons over the week from Vendee how to best fight and move about in heavy armor and though it wasn’t as intensive as formal training from a master, he feels more confidant about wearing it in combat. Vendee, for his part, identified the magical properties of the magical items the group had collected, but couldn’t identify the properties of the weapons or armor.

Haindrad’s journal was read as well, revealing that the assassin’s blade did not kill Haindrad as Apathos’ church teaches, but rather paralyzed him and gave him the appearance of death. Haindrad turned from his Deity in that moment, for letting him allow a traitor into his midst and Apathos cursed him for his willful defiance. When the clerics attempted to heal Haindrad, Apathos would not allow their magic to function, instead commanding them to inter Haindrad in the lower crypts and ward his tomb so that no evil could pass. They did so, interring Haindrad alive in his tomb, undisturbed for the better part of 5,000 years.

About 4 days into the week though, something heavy started pounding on the plug, shaking it slightly. Rak’Shan was keeping watch and reported something was amiss. The group made ready to put down whatever could break through the heavy stone plug, but after half an hour, the thudding stopped and did not start up again. On the eighth day, Galeena looked and commented how much better she felt.

During the week it was discussed whether to leave by way of the temple sub-level they entered through or see where the tunnel in the cracked room led to. This was voted down by the fact the group had obtained their objective and knew there were an unknown number of orc slavers who knew of the cave’s existence and probably knew something was inside the cave since it was blocked off now.

A lengthy discussion was made about whether or not to retrieve the long sword with Arek’s symbol from the upper level. There were some worried it would be found and used to great effect by an evil creature, others worried about it’s effects on the bearer (even if not actually used) and one member voiced their opinion that Galeena would make an attempt to steal it if left where it was. (She was indignant and explained she would have a bit of a hard time smuggling a sword as tall as her, and an even more difficult time wanting to play with something obviously magical and cursed after the ‘gem incident’.

Lirus the Apprentice’s body was recovered from where the group laid him to temporary rest and the trek was made to the surface where they entered the temple sub-level from. The warm-metal holy symbol ‘key’ was removed from the shrine’s altar and the group returned to the sunlight of the surface for the first time in nearly 2 weeks.

Travelling back to the expedition site where the Thunderwicket was resting, they noted the bodies left behind of their former comrades were missing hands and feet…wasting no time, they gathered any supplies they could scavenge, Vendee laid Lirus to rest and the group started the return trek to Sirac’s Point.

Mirus 1st - 2nd, 5231 A.C.

The first 2 days of travel were uneventful until the late afternoon of the second day. Having gotten clear of Haindrad’s Hills, the group entered the tall grasses of the savannah-like rolling plains. Rak’Shan was scouting in the lead since their scout went missing weeks ago, and suddenly he stopped. Surrounding the group were 15 gnolls, standing slowly up from hidden positions in the tall grass. Despite Rak’Shan’s heightened animalistic senses, the gnolls managed to surround the group. Sniffing the crosswinds, Rak’Shan noted he only smelled the tall grasses…the gnolls must have hidden their scent.

In broken common, one of the gnolls commanded the group - “100 gold to pass or your life!” Flambo, who grew up on the southern continent of Var-Ultar where gnolls rule one of the two most powerful empires, cautioned the group to make the payment. He knew the gnolls are a hunter race and some of the greatest trackers in the world, never giving their prey up easily. “Fine!” Vendee shouted back “100 gold!”

The two lead gnolls conferred for a moment and looked surprised. The rest of the gnolls looked like they were ready for a fight. “100 gold EACH” the lead gnoll retorted back. Rak’Shan threw his purse to them “here, this should cover all of us”. He turned to the group, “I can’t keep it all anyway, consider this my good deed today for all the healing”. The gnolls seemed surprised even further by this, being paid in full and by a tigran no less. They took payment and faded back into the tall grasses, gone as quickly as they came.

Mirus 3rd, 5231 A.C.

Waking up to an overcast day, the group set off, trudging through the waves of grass. The weather was still a bit chilly for this late in the spring too. After several hours of trekking through the wild, they happened across a battlefield, sever weeks old, littered with the bodies of purple-tabbarded humans and orcs with a red-claw tattoo on their forehead. Hundreds of bodies littered the field and seemed untouched by intelligent hands as there was broken gear and equipment littered everywhere on both sides. The field was searches but nothing valuable was recovered. Tracks were found leading to the site and the party back trailed them a few hours to the human’s camp.

Hundreds of tents were neatly lined in rows, most had fallen though. The group searched a few and eventually found a tent where a priest of Apathos was housed and the command tent where maps, plans and missives were strewn about by the wind. Gathering as much as they could, they discovered the leader’s name was General Tiberus and he moved thousands of troops out of the nearby ruins of Ventes, a small fishing village overrun by orcs. Several more groups of soldiers were supposed to meet the main host and smash the orcs, but no confirmation could be found. There was also found a letter from someone named Isold, begging Tiberus to return to Pax Valis and restore his family honor. The maps and missives the group gathered along with more supplies to augment their dwindling provisions. They made camp on a nearby hill to watch the site for any activity over night.

Mirus 4th, 5231 A.C.

Waking up to another chilly, overcast sky, the party left the camp behind and returned to their southwestern course of travel for Sirac’s Point. The clouds were getting darker from the northwest as they trekked and they started looking for a group of trees or tall shrubs in case a storm broke out. By late morning, rumblings could be heard overhead as the sky darkened. They found some trees and got into a nearby low position. Some time passed, but suddenly they were being pelted by golf ball-sized hail. Shields were raised over heads and they formed a shield wall to protect each other. Almost half an hour later, the hail subsided but the sky didn’t lighten up much. They continued on, wary lest they be pelted unexpectedly.

Later in the afternoon, they encountered a stone moai head, floating in the middle of nowhere. After eventually ascertaining it to be harmless the party learned it was a ‘Wise One’ and could tell them anything that existed and may be able to tell them the most predictable path their short term future holds. Through the ‘Wise One’ they learned the orcs had been wiped out and General Tiberus was still alive. Before much else could be learned, the ‘Wise One’ sank into the earth, muttering something.

The group circled up and could feel rumbling through their feet. Moments later, a gigantic, fanged-maw worm with deep purple skin burst through the earth to a height of about 15 ft. Deciding there was no where they could run and get away from the monstrosity, they attacked. Several minutes of furious combat ensued with Rak’Shan taking a horrible mauling but still on his feet. The worm spent a few minutes attacking ghostly weapons Cregg and Flambo conjured in the name of their Deities. Flambo took the worst though, being mauled and nearly swallowed whole by the creature, but instead went unconscious. The creature’s spiked tail popped through the earth near Vendee at one point, nearly skewering and poisoning Cregg who resisted the poisons covering it. Eventually the thing was driven off, not finding what it thought may be an easy meal of some herd animals. Flambo was gotten back onto his hooves by Cregg and the group moved on a bit before camping down for the night.

Here is where the session ended for the evening...

Character	Sex/Race	XP Given	XP Total	Next Level
Vicar Flambo of Vulknar	Male Endu	2,395	12,360	12,600 (+10%)
Vendee, Arcane Guardian	Male Elf	2,595	13,029	16,200 (+10%)
Galeena the Warrioress	Female Halfling	1,047	5,657	7,600 (+5%)
Vicar Cregg of Tymira	Male Human	2,395	11,135	12,600 (+10%)
Rak’Shan the Disciple	Male Tigran	2,495	9,619	15,200 (+5%)
Autumn the Warrioress	Female Human	1,047	5,478	7,600 (+5%)

Rak'Shan is now a Disciple!

Dispelling Chances

2010-04-08T01:54:00.002-04:00

According to the rules, the caster of a Dispel Magic or Dispel Evil (and a handful of other spells that refer to the chance of success Dispel Magic uses, notably Remove Curse), has a percentage chance to dispel the magic against which they are faced. The chance for a successful Dispell attempt is 50%, +5% per level of the Dispeller, but -5% per level of the caster of the magic being diepelled. I created a simple chart for fast reference (covering levels 1-10 for posting purposes since tables sizes can run off of the visible area):

Dispel Magic Chance of Success

Spell Effect Caster Level

Dispeller Level	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th	9th	10th
1st	50%	45%	40%	35%	30%	25%	20%	15%	10%	5%
2nd	55%	50%	45%	40%	35%	30%	25%	20%	15%	10%
3rd	60%	55%	50%	45%	40%	35%	30%	25%	20%	15%
4th	65%	60%	55%	50%	45%	40%	35%	30%	25%	20%
5th	70%	65%	60%	55%	50%	45%	40%	35%	30%	25%
6th	75%	70%	65%	60%	55%	50%	45%	40%	35%	30%
7th	80%	75%	70%	65%	60%	55%	50%	45%	40%	35%
8th	85%	80%	75%	70%	65%	60%	55%	50%	45%	40%
9th	90%	85%	80%	75%	70%	65%	60%	55%	50%	45%
10th	95%	90%	85%	80%	75%	70%	65%	60%	55%	50%

Gone and not Forgotten

2010-04-07T09:20:00.000-04:00

Today marks the 1st year RPGs has had to move on without it's foundation stones, the second of which is David Lance Arneson (October 1, 1947 - April 7, 2009). Even if you can't play today, roll some dice and enjoy the thinking about some of the best moments you and your friends have had.

The Psychic Class, Part 2

2010-04-06T21:21:00.004-04:00

Manifesting Psychic Power

When a character manifests a psychic ability the player rolls 1d20 + Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma adjustments and consults the chart to determine if he is successful or not. No matter what the adjustments are, rolling a natural ‘1’ indicates psychic burnout - the character must succeed at an Ego saving throw with the psychic power’s level applied as a penalty to the roll. If failed, the psychic character is left reeling as if he were stunned for 1d10 rounds. In any case, the psychic cannot summon up the mental strength to manifest any additional powers until he has a good night’s sleep. Rolling a natural ‘20’ increases all of a power’s numerical factors by +50% and does not count against the number of times a Psychic can manifest his powers.

Manifesting Psychic Powers

Psychic Level

Power Level	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
Level I	19	17	15	13	11
Level II	-	19	17	15	13
Level III	-	-	19	17	15
Level IV	-	-	-	19	17
Level V	-	-	-	-	19

Gaining New Powers

When a Psychic character earns a new level, he gets a roll on the Psychic Powers chart under the appropriate level to determine whether they earn a new power or ability. If the character rolls a duplicate Psychic Power he may select one from the same level as the duplicate. Rolling a duplicate Psychic Ability allows its usage more times per day.

New Psychic Powers

Psychic Level

Power Level	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
Level I	01-95	01-50	01-33	01-33	01-33
Level II	-	51-95	34-66	34-54	34-49
Level III	-	-	67-95	55-75	50-65
Level IV	-	-	-	76-95	66-80
Level V	-	-	-	-	81-95
Psychic Ability	96-00	96-00	96-00	96-00	96-00

The Psychic Class

2010-04-05T11:21:00.005-04:00

This is the first of two posts detailing Psychics and their abilities for the World of Onn. This post will cover the class specifics and the second part will cover the mechanics for using psychic powers and abilities.

Hit Dice Type: 1d6 per level. After 9th level, +1 hit point per level.

Armor/Shield Permitted: Light armor; Light and Medium shields.

Weapons Permitted: Hand Axe, Club, Dagger, Flail, Light Mace, Spear, Staff, Short Sword, Short Bow, Light Crossbow, Dart, Sling.

Prime Attribute: Charisma, 5% experience bonus for 13+.

Attack Table: As per Clerics.

Some characters possess the ability to make things happen by an act of tremendous will. They have no training in the clerical or mystical arts, but yet exhibit a talent others unfamiliar with would call magic. An experienced Psychic character can be as powerful as any other regular spellcaster and some hide behind the guise of magic to protect their secret.

Psychic characters can be intelligent and wise, but it is the force of their personality that drives their powers. Due to the conflicted nature of the Charisma statistic, a character (especially a Psychic) with a high Charisma may not readily possess good looks or an abundance of wit or charm, but something makes people take notice of the Psychic. It does not always have to be definable or may sometimes be deemed that a Psychic has a presence or creepiness you can just feel when looking at them.

Psychic Class Abilities

Manifesting (1st level): A Psychic has the ability to manifest his psychic powers a total of 1 time per day, plus the character’s Charisma adjustment, plus half the total number of powers he knows. A starting Psychic has access to 1d2+1 powers. At each new level, the player rolls to determine his new psychic ability or alteration, if any. Because psychic ability is not a learned path, Psychics gain their powers in a haphazard, random manner.

Sixth Sense Psychic Ability (1st Level): Psychics can feel the threat of immediate danger just before it happens and possibly react. If the Psychic’s party is attacked from surprise or a trap is sprung, the Psychic gains an Ego saving throw. If the saving throw is successful, the Psychic may act immediately to shield an adjacent character from an attack or pull a character that will be affected by a trap out of harm’s way or some other similar reaction to the feeling. This will doubtlessly put the Psychic in harm’s path, with any applicable saving throws allowed or attack rolls made. If the Psychic reacts with their own self-preservation in mind, they gain a +1 bonus to any saving throw allowed or a -1[+1] bonus to AC against any attack roll made in the surprise round.

Psychic Power Research (1st level): A Psychic may meditate on and practice a power he doesn’t have for at least a month and spend time researching knowledge of it at a cost of 1,000gp per Power Level squared. At the end of the research time, the player adds his character’s Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma adjustments and his level and must roll 1d100 against the total. If he rolls under his total, he may choose his researched power when he gains a new level when he is high enough in level to manifest it.

Psychic Item Creation (1st level): Psychics with access to a meditation chamber may imprint a power into a small crystal (called a Power Stone) or a crystal rod (called a Focus) and use it as a 1-shot magic item, much like a potion or wand, using the following rules:

A power can be imprinted into a small crystal and affect any who will the stone to use its imprinted power. Only powers with a range of Personal or Touch can be imprinted into a power stone. The crystal used costs 100gp per Power Level squared and requires 1 day per Power Level to imprint.
A power can be imprinted into a focus for use by the Psychic or another of his class. Only powers with a range of Touch or greater can be imprinted into a focus. Foci cost 250gp per Power Level squared and takes 1 week, plus 1 day per Power Level to create. Foci created have 4d6+4 uses before burning out.

The Psychic has a chance of successfully performing one of these tasks equal to 20% plus 5% per level, minus 5% per Power Level, on a d100. If a 100 is rolled, a psychic backlash is caused, inflicting 1d6 points of damage per Power Level on the Psychic. All failures ruin the item to be created and require the Psychic to begin over from the start.

Level	Title	Experience	HD	Dodge	Ego	Toughness
1	Medium	0	1d6	15	14	16
2	Seer	2,125	2d6	14	13	15
3	Cognizant	4,250	3d6	13	12	14
4	Mentalist	8,500	4d6	12	11	13
5	Channeller	17,000	5d6	11	10	12
6	Mystic	35,000	6d6	10	9	11
7	Meta-mind	70,000	7d6	9	8	10
8	Transcendant	140,000	8d6	8	7	9
9	Psychic	280,000	9d6	7	6	8
10	Psychic	390,000	+1 hp	6	5	7
11	Psychic	500,000	+2 hp	5	4	6
12	Psychic	610,000	+3 hp	5	4	6
13	Psychic	720,000	+4 hp	5	4	6
14	Psychic	830,000	+5 hp	5	4	6
15+	Psychic	+110,000	+1 hp	5	4	6

The Psychic will appear in the forth-coming World of Onn: Core Rules Companion Supplement and levels above 15 will be covered in that volume as well.

Short Leave

2010-04-03T08:02:00.000-04:00

There won't be any more posts until Monday. I'm kicking it new school with the 3.5 Saturday group and doing the family thing for Easter. Everyone enjoy the holiday if you observe it (or are kindly forced to by others)!

About the Logo

2010-04-02T09:54:00.000-04:00

It is worth noting (and I can't believe I didn't before), that the 'ranger' of Rogue Ranger Games pictured in the logo is myself (ok, that isn't the important part), and the picture was taken by Ms. Kimberly Nicholson at Rocky Ridge State Park, here in York County, Pennsylvania. In the middle of August in a heat wave, I'm dressed up in one of my Renn Faire outfits with my favorite rapier and sword-breaker and a black cloak. Let me tell you, a black cloak in the middle of horrid heat is NOT the way to go...

Ms. Nicholson has a few artistic talents and her photography from that day has given another gift to Onn.

Core Rules Review

2010-04-01T12:52:00.000-04:00

The Core Rules got it's first review at In Like Flynn:

http://flynnwd.blogspot.com/2010/04/review-world-of-onn-core-rules.html

If you're on the fence about getting your own copy, Lulu has a promo going on today only! Use the code APRILFOOLS and you'll recieve 10% off!

Planar Cosmology

2010-03-31T10:35:00.000-04:00

My last post dealing with Psychics I made mention how they draw on the Astral Plane to power their mind abilities. In the Onn Core Rules I explain how magic draws on the Ethereal Plane to power magic. This brings me to Onn's Planar Cosmology.

In the center of all is the Mortal Realm (or Prime Material, for those more familiar with that terminology). It is the plane all others are anchored to and indeed, there may be infinite alternate dimensions or realities of Mortal Realms where differences may range from simple and unobtrusive to wildly different and unrecognizable.

Between the Mortal Realm and Elemental Realms is the Faerie Realm and Twilight Realm.

Next come the Elemental Planes of Air, Earth, Fire and Water.

Outlying even farther are the Planes of Entropy and Life.

Even farther out are the Realms of the Gods, the Realm of the Dead and other Planes (such as the Prison Realm).

The Ethereal Plane surrounds and connects all of these planes together, providing connections and weaves them all together. This is also the Plane of Magic, where spellcasters draw their powers from. Only through the use of magic can one enter the Ethereal Plane.

The Astral Plane also touches all other planes and is concurrent with the Ethereal Plane in existance. Spellcasters cannot use magic to enter this plane, only a highly psychic mind can project itself into the Astral. In addition, it connects the Dream Realm to all other planes. The Astral though reaches a point beyond the most distant God's Realm that ends in a barrier that most percieve as a massive Astral Whirlpool. Creatures entering it have never been seen again (even Deities). Occasionally exceptionally powerful creatures that should not exist in 'normal' reality come from beyond the barrier and using the Astral Plane, make their way to the Mortal Realms to wreak havoc.

What happens to one's spirit on death is a subject open to debate. The most popular theory currently among sages is divine spellcasters are taken to the realm of their Patron Deity, arcane spellcasters become part of the Ethereal Plane, Faerie creatures (such as Elves) become part of the Faerie Realm, Psychics become part of the Astral and the rest travel to the Realm of the Dead. Of course this topic, while hotly debated, would require the death of the theorists to prove who was right (and of course, they're not in a rush to prove anything!).

Psychics

2010-03-31T01:47:00.000-04:00

I have to say, I like the idea of having a '3rd' type of magic in my game. You can call it 'psionics', 'mind powers', 'astral bending' or whatever floats your boat. I've been working on a system of my own to define the abilities of what I'll call my Psychic class for Onn. Psychic powers aren't native to Onn, but rather the Astral Plane. A Psychic, instead of drawing on their Ethereal Field to produce effects, have either learned how to or natually tap the Astral Plane and draw power from it in order for their minds to affect reality around them.

Mechanically, it's no different than divine prayers or arcane magic, but the small bit of fluff on where it comes from can lead to some interesting role-playing for characters that are practicioners or knowledgable of its existance. Up til lately, I knew that I wanted to include the mind powers as a 3rd magic, but I wanted something that would either appeal or repulse players as well.

Implementation was the difficult thing. Using something similar to 'spell slots' would seem a bit too inorganic, while the point systems of games past and present make the player play a numbers game. I think I have a system now that divides powers into levels, much like spells, but has a check associated with it depending on the level of the character and level of the power, similar to Clerics Turning Undead. We'll see how well it functions soon.

Barbarian Class for Onn

2010-03-30T10:08:00.011-04:00

Hit Dice Type: 1d8+1 per level; after 9th level +2 hp per level.
Armor/Shield Permitted: Light and Medium Armor and All Shields.
Weapons Permitted: All.
Prime Attribute: Strength and Constitution, 5% XP Bonus for 15+ in both.
Attack Table: As per Fighting-man.
Starting Gold: 6d4x10.

While a properly trained Fighting-man is common in all cultures, the warrior-folk of most commonly found in Norsicar are a more feral type of warriors. Oft-times when in combat, they are overtaken by a powerful rage and become more of a destructive force that the people of other lands fear and respect. Because of their harsh upbringing, they resist damage from the elements better then peoples from the 'softer' lands. Though uncommon, Barbarians can come from other lands (for instance, those from desert lands are referred to as Dervishes).

The Barbarian is a sub-class of Fighting–men who are strong and tough. Barbarians must have scores of at least 13 in Strength, 12 Dexterity and 13 in Constitution. They have several special abilities, drawn from their wildnerness upbringing. Most Barbarians are brought up in a tribe or clan that has a totem animal, a sacred life form that the tribe holds in near-divine reverence. While Barbarians respect individual toughness, most possess a will as unbending as their bodies and are highly honorable, if a bit uncouth.

Barbarian Class Abilities

Taboo: Barbarians have great faith in Druidism due to living in harmony with the lands in order to survive. They hold animal life, especially a totem animal, as sacred. Arcane magic is viewed as a door to an unnatural world, however while it is tolerated, practicioners of it will never be accepted.

Berserk (1st Level): This grants the Barbarian a +2 bonus to the attack roll and damage rolls for one entire combat, but the character takes a +1[-1] penalty to armor class as well. Immediately after the combat ends, the character must rest for 1 turn or be exhausted, suffering a -2 penalty to all die rolls and a +2[-2] penalty to armor class for the rest of the day.

Resiliency (1st Level): Barbarians, being toughened by their constant exposure to the elements of Nature, reduce the damage from heat and cold-based attacks by 1 point per die. They are tougher than a normal man as well, gaining a bonus hit point per hit die.

Wilderness Lore (1st level): Barbarians can follow tracks and trail markings in the wilderness or indoors in natural settings. He can determine numbers, length of time since the tracks were made, size of the track makers and speed moved. Barbarians also lessen the chance to get lost in the wilderness. They are proficient hunters, possessing a chance to supply their party with 1 days’ worth of food under normal conditions. Barbarians gain a +1 bonus to any die rolls to determine the success of these actions.

Multiple Attacks (2nd level): Against creatures with less than one full hit die, a Barbarian makes one melee attack per level each round.

Combat Options (3rd Level): Barbarians gain Fighting-man Combat Options at 3rd level and additional Combat Options at levels 8th and 13th.

Weapon Mastery (3rd Level): Barbarians gain Weapon Mastery at 3rd level and are treated as a Fighting-man of 2 levels less. They gain additional 'slots' at 6th, 9th, 12th and 15th level.

Ferocity (5th Level): While Berserking, the Barbarian can continue to function normally while at negative hit points until the combat is over. He must still roll his system shock saving throw each round, but will not die or go unconscious until after the combat is over.

Greater Resiliency (8th Level): Against heat and cold-based effects, Barbarians automatically recieve half damage. If the effect allows a saving throw for half damage, the Barbarian only recieves one-quarter damage on a successful saving throw.

Barbarian Camp (9th Level): If the Barbarian establishes a holding, he attracts 10d20 loyal followers, at least half of which will be barbarians desiring to follow such a famous hero and be the next legend of the homeland.

Level	Title	Experience	HD	Dodge	Ego	Toughness
1	Berserker	0	1d8+1	15	16	14
2	Brute	2,250	2d8+2	14	15	13
3	Conquerer	4,500	3d8+3	13	14	12
4	Slayer	9,000	4d8+4	12	13	11
5	Destroyer	18,000	5d8+5	11	12	10
6	Ravager	36,000	6d8+6	10	11	9
7	Slaughterer	72,000	7d8+7	9	10	8
8	Barbarian	144,000	8d8+8	8	9	7
9	Warlord	288,000	9d8+9	7	8	6
10	Warlord	380,000	+2 hp	6	7	5
11	Warlord	480,000	+4 hp	5	6	4
12	Warlord	580,000	+6 hp	5	6	4
13	Warlord	680,000	+8 hp	5	6	4
14	Warlord	780,000	+10 hp	5	6	4
15+	Warlord	+100,000	+2 hp	5	6	4

The Berserker will appear in the forth-coming World of Onn: Core Rules Companion Supplement and levels above 15 will be covered in that volume as well.

To convert into standard Swords & Wizardry, Hit Dice would be 1d6+3 and hit points beyond 9th level would be as a Fighting-man, use the attack and saving throws as a Fighting-man and discount the Weapon Mastery and Combat Option abilities. Restrict to Leather armor and Shield, but allow any weapon.

Reputation

2010-03-30T02:13:00.001-04:00

Since the World of Onn doesn't use alignments, I use a simple group reputation system to determine how NPCs that may have heard of the group's deeds and how their impression affects how positively or negatively they are recieved. Even though a group may have a high score for their overall reputation, some people will have a negative reaction, especially if the group has thwarted the plans of such groups in the past in order to build their reputation. Doing things that advance the character's goals while benefitting others will raise a group's reputation, while actively (and openly) performing bad deeds will impact the group's reputation score. If a Referee chooses, Reputation scores for each character can be kept track of. Reputations start at a base score of 8+1d4 and thereafter rise and fall over the group's career.

Reputation
Score	Effect
19+	+3 to Reactions, 15% better prices when trading
17 - 18	+2 to Reactions, 10% better prices when trading
13 - 16	+1 to Reactions, 5% better prices when trading
9 - 12	Average
5 - 8	-1 to Reactions, 5% worse prices when trading
1 - 4	-2 to Reactions, 10% worse prices when trading
0 or less	-3 to Reactions, 15% worse prices when trading

Potion Miscibility

2010-03-30T01:44:00.001-04:00

When writing the Onn Core Rules, I wanted to add this little table to the 'Potion' section of the magic items, but there was no room and I didn't want to go over my page count, even for a single page. I may add it to the Onn Companion Guide, but until then, here is the Potion Miscibility Table I use. When a character drinks a potion that has a duration longer than Immediate and at least one other potion is still in effect, the Referee can roll on the table below:

Potion Miscibility
d% Roll	Result
01 - 15	Explosion! 5d6 damage to imbiber!
16 - 25	Explosion! 4d4 damage to imbiber!
26 - 40	Poison!
41 - 50	Immiscible! Both potions negated!
51 - 60	Immiscible! Both potions reduced to half efficiency!
61 - 90	Miscible! Both potions work normally!
91 - 99	Compatible! One potion works at 150% efficiency!
00	Discovery! Potions combine for new effect (possibly not beneficial)!

It should be noted that if mixed externally, the effect will affect a 10 ft radius if applicable (such as the explosion and poison results).

Some of Onn's Deities

2010-03-30T01:19:00.001-04:00

I thought I'd post some information on Onn's Deities, just to break into the enormous number of spells I'm working on (I hadn't realized how spell-centric the blog has been over the last week until today). The World of Onn doesn't use any alignment system and its Deities are not constrained by them either. A follower of Apathos (Deity of Lords and Generals) could be a beneficent Lord or vile Tyrant or a bloodthirsty General of a great army. The Deities draw their power from the faith mortals have in their core concepts. They leave mortal morals and ethics to the mortals and support whomever believes in them. So for your consideration:

Arek

Favored Weapon: Long Sword

Holy Symbol: Ruby Eye

Arek is the Demon Lord of Oozes, Slimes and Madness. His titles include the Slime Lord and the Infernal Madness. Arek was imprisoned long ago for his crimes in the mortal realms, but has found ways to project small amounts of his power so his clerics still receive spells. Because of his status, his shrines are usually only found in the most out of the way places or underground and in the sewers of civilized places. Clerics of Arek are a strange lot, given to fits of crazed thoughts or those driven mad by a past experience. They also seek to spread the habitats of slimes and ooze creatures. Arek cannot personally respond to his cleric’s prayers due to his incarceration, but he is always depicted in his shrines and temples as a pillar of slime with a multitude of ruby eyes. In his eight pseudo pod-like arms he wields long swords.

Tymira

Favored Weapon: War Hammer

Holy Symbol: A bleeding right hand

Tymira is the Goddess of the Alleviation of Suffering, Healing and Protection those in Need. Her titles include the Healing Hand and the Wounded Lady. Long ago Tymira was simply the Goddess of Protection, but during some deific battle the former Goddess of Healing was struck down. Seeing the suffering caused to mortals she took up the former goddess' mantle of healing and alleviating the ills of those in suffering as well as her own of protection. Because of this she has earned the eternal enmity of Ordulin and Zargos. Clerics of Tymira seek to ease the pains and protect others in the name of their goddess. Tymira usually only manifests as a bleeding hand to those faithful who call upon her, but has manifested as a raven-haired girl with alabaster skin and a wounded right hand in the past. In her shrines and temples only her wounded hand is ever depicted to remind her worshippers of their role.

Vardion
Favored Weapon: Bastard Sword
Holy Symbol: A pair of crossed swords

Vardion is the God of Combat, Strength and War. His titles include the Lord of War and the Weapon-master. Those who live by violent means usually find the favor of Vardion. Vardion is also the right hand of Apathos and the clerics of both Deities can be found working together on many occasions. Clerics of Vardion live by the blood spilt by their blades, but prefer the regimented fighting found on a battlefield or through the use of sound tactics when in non-regimented groups. They despise those that fight simply to slake their blood-lust and will attack any berserkers or followers of Astaroth on sight. Vardion is said to reside in a great hall full of the bravest and honorable of warriors, fighting great battles by day and celebrating with mead and wenches by night. He is depicted as a massive man, full of strength and with a mane of blood-stained brown hair. His bastard sword, Magiddo's Touch is always in his left hand. For the faithful of Vardion, his favor is shown by the bringing of weapons and armor, strength or luck to those combatants in need.

Hand of Ether

2010-03-28T08:42:00.000-04:00

Hand of Ether
Spell Level: Illusionist, Magic-user, 1st Level
Range: 30 ft
Duration: 1 turn

This spell forms a roughly hand-shaped field of translucent and faintly glowing energy from the caster's Ethereal Field. While this spell is in effect, any spell the caster casts with a range of 'touch' can be chanelled through the hand and directed by the caster to strike a target within 30 ft (which gains the same combat adjustments 'to hit' as the caster normally does).

Flame Winds

2010-03-28T07:59:00.003-04:00

This spell, ripped from the Ultima V computer game, seemed like such a good fit for the Druid class. Ultima's magic system was a cool blend of alchemy and mysticysm. You had to procure spell components (called 'reagents') and actually take the time to mix the reagents into spell formulae before you could cast the spells. Since all of the book keeping was done by the game, it worked beautifully and made the setting almost unique for the way it handled it's magic. Another tidbit about how Ultima is influencing my Onn.

Flame Winds
Spell Level: Druid, 5th Level
Range: 150 ft
Duration: Immediate

Flame Winds causes the air in a 15 ft x 15 ft cube to burst into flames, burning any victims within for 5d10 points of fire damage (Toughness saving throw for half damage allowed). At 10th level and every 3 levels afterwards, the area of the cube increases by 5 ft. Unlike a fireball, Flame Winds can only burn the air in the available area, so it will not expand beyond its defined area if there is not sufficient room.

Lightning Strike

2010-03-27T18:16:00.001-04:00

Lightning Strike
Spell Level: Druid, Magic-user, 1st Level
Range: Caster
Duration: 1 round / 2 levels

Lightning Strike encases the caster's empty hand in a sheath of visible lightning. The first creature the caster strikes with a +2 bonus on his to hit roll recieves 1d8 points of lightning damage, plus 1 point per 2 caster levels. Metal armor and shields are useless and provide no benefit in defending against this spell.

Sympathetic Transformation

2010-03-27T18:00:00.001-04:00

Since the World of Onn uses a System Shock saving throw to determine how well a character deals with massive physical changes to his body, such as being petrified or having his body reformed into something else, there is a little-known magic from the Zuhn Empire's heyday that allowed casters to take other forms without worry of the magic overcoming them and possibly malforming their bodies or the stress of taking on new shapes killing them.

Sympathetic Transformation

Spell Level: Magic-user, 4th Level

Range: Touch

Duration: Special

When this spell is cast, if a transformation spell of some type (enlarge, polymorph, stone to flesh, etc) immediately follows on the target, he automatically succeeds any required System Shock saving throw the transformation effect may call for. This spell will last as long as the transformation spell affecting the character lasts.

Multiclass Charcter XP Chart
Level (HD)	XPNEEDED
1 (1d6)	0
2 (2d6)	3,000
3 (3d6)	6,000
4 (4d6)	9,000
5 (-)	12,000
6 (5d6)	25,000
7 (6d6)	50,000
8 (7d6)	75,000
9 (-)	150,000
10 (8d6)	300,000
11 (-)	450,000
12 (9d6)	600,000
13 (-)	750,000
14 (-)	900,000
15 (10d6)	1,050,000