Designing Memorable NPC RPG Class 101
I was reading another gamers blog and he talked about the "Perfect Gaming Session" That session that everyone remembers and talks about for years.
One of the vehicles you can use is to up the anti on your NPCs personalities.
My all time favorite example is a very elderly high level arch mage......who is senile.
His name is Malshum and he epitomy of an aging man, stooped over, shuffling along leaving a trail of gas from his dusty rear end. In most cases he cant remember anything except for little bits from his childhood. But, once and a while his full facilities come roaring back, along with all his mage abilities and then the fun begins....which suddenly comes to a halt because he forgot what he was doing.
For you budding DMs out there try this idea. Your main antagonist is also the sponsor of your latest quest. Thats right, a skitsofrenic good/bad guy. The good side doesnt know that his arch enemy and evildoer is actually his dark side. Sending a group out to hunt down this evil dispicable man who ultimaetly ends up being the same man that hired them to find...himself....
Try googleing mental illness and get a list of mental conditions and model some of your NPC after these conditions. I bet your party will never forget these encounters!
Subscribe To Feed
Posts
All Comments
Friday, July 30, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Tattoo Socerer - Part 2
New Classes - Tattoo Sorcerer (Auri Tu*)
Part 2
The Auri Tu are sorcerers who uses their bodies and a natural spellbook. The "spells" are inked onto their bodies by a sub class of Auri Tu called Hakig Tu*.
Auri Tu at low levels are unable to hold the tattoo's on their bodies. Thus the ink disappears when the spell is cast. But as their level increases they are able to get more "cast" from each inking. High level Auri Tu's can often get up to 10 cast from one ink. Of course the more complex a spell the less castings it will have even at high levels.
The Hakig Tu besides being the inker's are also the collectors of the rare materials that make up the inks used for the tattoos. As with any application of tattoos the process can take a long time and is always very painful.
This form of magic is thought to have originated from another plane of existence as there are no known examples of this from Elder histories. As most Auri Tu are native jungle dwellers, their spells tend to echo what the Auri and Hakig experience in their native habitats. Lots of Summoning Jungle creatures spells, plant related magics and several examples of chameleon camouflage spells have been documented.
Their are a few "civilized" wizards who are studying this form of magic. But too date no one has been able to duplicate it.
*Yuukorryn Dialect
Hakig - Skin Painter
Tu - Sorcery
Part 2
The Auri Tu are sorcerers who uses their bodies and a natural spellbook. The "spells" are inked onto their bodies by a sub class of Auri Tu called Hakig Tu*.
Auri Tu at low levels are unable to hold the tattoo's on their bodies. Thus the ink disappears when the spell is cast. But as their level increases they are able to get more "cast" from each inking. High level Auri Tu's can often get up to 10 cast from one ink. Of course the more complex a spell the less castings it will have even at high levels.
The Hakig Tu besides being the inker's are also the collectors of the rare materials that make up the inks used for the tattoos. As with any application of tattoos the process can take a long time and is always very painful.
This form of magic is thought to have originated from another plane of existence as there are no known examples of this from Elder histories. As most Auri Tu are native jungle dwellers, their spells tend to echo what the Auri and Hakig experience in their native habitats. Lots of Summoning Jungle creatures spells, plant related magics and several examples of chameleon camouflage spells have been documented.
Their are a few "civilized" wizards who are studying this form of magic. But too date no one has been able to duplicate it.
*Yuukorryn Dialect
Hakig - Skin Painter
Tu - Sorcery
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Tattoo Sorcerer
New Classes - Tattoo Sorcerer (Auri Tu*)
Part 1
"I first observed the Auri Tu on my Southern Quests. The olive skinned people of the forests of Athenkar have very unusual shamans. These shaman all called Auri Tu, or Painted Sorcerers (in their native tongue) It is more apt to call them Tattoo Sorcerer as the Painted reference is to the colorful tattoos that covers the shamans.
At first I thought these were just spiritual figureheads. But soon I found out differently as while in the jungle we were set upon by several angry great apes ( we seemed to have trespassed into their lands )
As we formed a defensive circle, amidst angry ape screams we heard a commanding voice from behind the apes. Standing just beyond the apes was a native. Naked except for a loin cloth. His body was covered with many colorful tattoos.
The apes turned to confront the man. The Yuukorryn stated to speak very rapidly in a low voice. A tattoo of a Jaguar on his right arm started to glow. As the man started increasing the volume of his voice the tattoo intensified in brightness.
He then quickly whipped his arm around and the glowing tattoo slid off his arm and solidified into a rather large jaguar. A piercing scream fill the air. The apes stepped back, uncertainty written across their apish faces. Then the Jaguar pounced on one of the silver back apes and bit deeply into its neck. A sickening crack rang out and the ape fell dead.
The remaining apes disappeared into the jungle. The jaguar looked us over and growled and then took off into the jungle after the apes.
When we turned to express out thanks to the native sorcerer, he was gone." - Gangun Hu, Explorer
Part 2 coming soon
*Yuukorryn Dialect
Auri - Painted
Tu - Sorcery
Yuukorryn are a tribal people who inhabit the far away forests of Athenkar
Part 1
"I first observed the Auri Tu on my Southern Quests. The olive skinned people of the forests of Athenkar have very unusual shamans. These shaman all called Auri Tu, or Painted Sorcerers (in their native tongue) It is more apt to call them Tattoo Sorcerer as the Painted reference is to the colorful tattoos that covers the shamans.
At first I thought these were just spiritual figureheads. But soon I found out differently as while in the jungle we were set upon by several angry great apes ( we seemed to have trespassed into their lands )
As we formed a defensive circle, amidst angry ape screams we heard a commanding voice from behind the apes. Standing just beyond the apes was a native. Naked except for a loin cloth. His body was covered with many colorful tattoos.
The apes turned to confront the man. The Yuukorryn stated to speak very rapidly in a low voice. A tattoo of a Jaguar on his right arm started to glow. As the man started increasing the volume of his voice the tattoo intensified in brightness.
He then quickly whipped his arm around and the glowing tattoo slid off his arm and solidified into a rather large jaguar. A piercing scream fill the air. The apes stepped back, uncertainty written across their apish faces. Then the Jaguar pounced on one of the silver back apes and bit deeply into its neck. A sickening crack rang out and the ape fell dead.
The remaining apes disappeared into the jungle. The jaguar looked us over and growled and then took off into the jungle after the apes.
When we turned to express out thanks to the native sorcerer, he was gone." - Gangun Hu, Explorer
Part 2 coming soon
*Yuukorryn Dialect
Auri - Painted
Tu - Sorcery
Yuukorryn are a tribal people who inhabit the far away forests of Athenkar
Friday, July 23, 2010
The Lantern of Malys
Magic Item - The Lantern of Malys
"Out of the mists of time, spanning several millennia his magics are still as potent today as they were so long ago" - Wizardly Scholar Fallyn E'Toryn
What appears to be a ornate bulls eye lantern with a stylized M on the top casing
is in fact an magical latern created by the Arch Mage Malys so long ago.
The candle within the latern can be lit just like a common latern, but the wax and wick are never consumed.
The power of this device comes in the form of line of sight teleportation. When the latern is lit and the hood is pulled down a single beam of light spans out across the distance.
When the user places the beam of light right where they want it all they have to do is place their hand on top of the M on the top casing and hold it there for no less than 30 seconds.
Once the device is activated the user whom was touching the latern is teleported along with the lantern to the spot where the beam of light had struck.
This lantern is very handy in getting into spaces where only a tiny hole exists. Other applications include passing through invisible walls (as the light still passes through so does the user).
Only 3 are known to still exist.
"Out of the mists of time, spanning several millennia his magics are still as potent today as they were so long ago" - Wizardly Scholar Fallyn E'Toryn
What appears to be a ornate bulls eye lantern with a stylized M on the top casing
is in fact an magical latern created by the Arch Mage Malys so long ago.
The candle within the latern can be lit just like a common latern, but the wax and wick are never consumed.
The power of this device comes in the form of line of sight teleportation. When the latern is lit and the hood is pulled down a single beam of light spans out across the distance.
When the user places the beam of light right where they want it all they have to do is place their hand on top of the M on the top casing and hold it there for no less than 30 seconds.
Once the device is activated the user whom was touching the latern is teleported along with the lantern to the spot where the beam of light had struck.
This lantern is very handy in getting into spaces where only a tiny hole exists. Other applications include passing through invisible walls (as the light still passes through so does the user).
Only 3 are known to still exist.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Unusual Items - Elventree Weapons
Item - Elventree Weapons (Shree-Do Kah*)
The Shree-Do Kah (Elventree Weapons) are made up of various swords, spears and arrows. These weapons are not forged and contain no metals. They are in fact gifts from the Sacred Lifetrees (Do) of the Fairy Lands.
Deep within the lands of Fairy are trees that have existed since the dawn of the planet. These trees are actually sentient lifeforms. Some scholars believe that they came from the before time. Over the millennium, fairy folk have created a special bond with these lifetrees. The elves in particular take great pride in being the protectors of the Do.
In repayment to the elves for defending these sacred trees, the Do from time to time (especially in time of great need) create out of their own bodies weapons. In elaborate rituals such weapons emerge from the trunk of these great trees.
All of these weapons appear as ornate wooden carvings of a represented weapon. Each of these appears to be crafted from a single peice of hardwood. In time of great need they will glow with a inner gleen light that seems to shine through the grains of the wood.
These weapons are of immense power. But as all things are prone to wearing down after prolonged battles. But as the Lifetrees are alive so are the weapons themselves.
In amongst the Lifetrees are small pools. These pools are the lifeblood of the Do. If a Shree-Do Kah is damaged, it can be brought back to these pools and immersed in the waters for 2 days and 2 nights. Upon the 3rd day they can be retrieved, fully repaired and ready to again defend the great Do.
*Ancient Elder Script
Shree - Ancient Elven
Do - Lifetree
Kah - Weapons
The Shree-Do Kah (Elventree Weapons) are made up of various swords, spears and arrows. These weapons are not forged and contain no metals. They are in fact gifts from the Sacred Lifetrees (Do) of the Fairy Lands.
Deep within the lands of Fairy are trees that have existed since the dawn of the planet. These trees are actually sentient lifeforms. Some scholars believe that they came from the before time. Over the millennium, fairy folk have created a special bond with these lifetrees. The elves in particular take great pride in being the protectors of the Do.
In repayment to the elves for defending these sacred trees, the Do from time to time (especially in time of great need) create out of their own bodies weapons. In elaborate rituals such weapons emerge from the trunk of these great trees.
All of these weapons appear as ornate wooden carvings of a represented weapon. Each of these appears to be crafted from a single peice of hardwood. In time of great need they will glow with a inner gleen light that seems to shine through the grains of the wood.
These weapons are of immense power. But as all things are prone to wearing down after prolonged battles. But as the Lifetrees are alive so are the weapons themselves.
In amongst the Lifetrees are small pools. These pools are the lifeblood of the Do. If a Shree-Do Kah is damaged, it can be brought back to these pools and immersed in the waters for 2 days and 2 nights. Upon the 3rd day they can be retrieved, fully repaired and ready to again defend the great Do.
*Ancient Elder Script
Shree - Ancient Elven
Do - Lifetree
Kah - Weapons
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
My Gaming History
Jorus's (The Elder Lands) Gaming History
I wanted to give credit to all the people who have help shape Jorus over the years (and I do mean years :) The first group to step onto the face of Jorus (The largest of my created worlds) back in 1985. The members were Jason Willard (Hathor Dangar, Ranger), Eddy McCarthy (Mordron the Barbarian), Andy Olsen (Olorin the Druid), David Fox (Played a very wise and crafty thief (eventually theives guildmaster), David Kraus (Lord Gordin, Master of trident and bow, bane of Byssul) and of course my character the great and msyterous Malis the Arch mage Orge Magi. This great group was and is the Lords of Aragon. They adventured on Terrus Arran in and around Tennor.
After I moved from NC to CA a new group was formed in 1991. This group marked a heavy jump into role playing over dungeon hacking (both are very fun). The group was made up of Eric Watkins (Icen the Ranger Elf), Anne Clark (later to become Anne Watkins)(Jerill the High Priestess of Charnis), Laurie Steckler (Alya the Mage (Merged and ascended with a demi-god) Elder Dungeon Master's Wife), Mirium Bayman (Gian, Bard and Adventurer and Rosie the Hill Giant) (Mirium died in 1994, she was a good friend and we all miss her!)
In both groups there was several short term players (currently I cant remember all their names , but as I do I will include them here.)
These people were all very important to the development of Jorus and I salute them all!!.
Cheers!
I wanted to give credit to all the people who have help shape Jorus over the years (and I do mean years :) The first group to step onto the face of Jorus (The largest of my created worlds) back in 1985. The members were Jason Willard (Hathor Dangar, Ranger), Eddy McCarthy (Mordron the Barbarian), Andy Olsen (Olorin the Druid), David Fox (Played a very wise and crafty thief (eventually theives guildmaster), David Kraus (Lord Gordin, Master of trident and bow, bane of Byssul) and of course my character the great and msyterous Malis the Arch mage Orge Magi. This great group was and is the Lords of Aragon. They adventured on Terrus Arran in and around Tennor.
After I moved from NC to CA a new group was formed in 1991. This group marked a heavy jump into role playing over dungeon hacking (both are very fun). The group was made up of Eric Watkins (Icen the Ranger Elf), Anne Clark (later to become Anne Watkins)(Jerill the High Priestess of Charnis), Laurie Steckler (Alya the Mage (Merged and ascended with a demi-god) Elder Dungeon Master's Wife), Mirium Bayman (Gian, Bard and Adventurer and Rosie the Hill Giant) (Mirium died in 1994, she was a good friend and we all miss her!)
In both groups there was several short term players (currently I cant remember all their names , but as I do I will include them here.)
These people were all very important to the development of Jorus and I salute them all!!.
Cheers!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Designing Encounters RPG Class 101
I am in to my third decade of DMing and I thought I would share my ideas on Encounter creation.
Golden rule dont make all the encounters the same level of difficulty!! What seems to work best for me is to create a mix of easy,medium, hard and a few impossible encounters.
The easy encounters are used to help build the confidence of the players. You really dont want too many of these as they can become boring.
The medium encounter present some danger and a little better payoff, but still shouldn't result in the death of anyone. The majoritry of encounter should be this type.
The hard encounters are the one that people remember the most. They are the fun ones, the one where death is a real possibily. The payoff are good. This is where the party finds the magic sword they have been questing for. You should have at least one of these in a session.
And lastly the impossible (or nearly impossible) encounters. These encounters are designed to bring the players back to reality (in a fantasy kind of way) These encounters (if the party doesn't run) would result in the death of everyone. On the other hand if the party is very creative and does manage to overcome the encounter then this is the stuff of legend! This is where the mega payoff is, wishes, holy advengers etc..This type of encounter should rarely be used as it can be discouraging if overused.
I have found that this mix of encounter difficulties works very well.
Cheers!
I am in to my third decade of DMing and I thought I would share my ideas on Encounter creation.
Golden rule dont make all the encounters the same level of difficulty!! What seems to work best for me is to create a mix of easy,medium, hard and a few impossible encounters.
The easy encounters are used to help build the confidence of the players. You really dont want too many of these as they can become boring.
The medium encounter present some danger and a little better payoff, but still shouldn't result in the death of anyone. The majoritry of encounter should be this type.
The hard encounters are the one that people remember the most. They are the fun ones, the one where death is a real possibily. The payoff are good. This is where the party finds the magic sword they have been questing for. You should have at least one of these in a session.
And lastly the impossible (or nearly impossible) encounters. These encounters are designed to bring the players back to reality (in a fantasy kind of way) These encounters (if the party doesn't run) would result in the death of everyone. On the other hand if the party is very creative and does manage to overcome the encounter then this is the stuff of legend! This is where the mega payoff is, wishes, holy advengers etc..This type of encounter should rarely be used as it can be discouraging if overused.
I have found that this mix of encounter difficulties works very well.
Cheers!
Legendary and Holy Items - Sphere of De-Existance
Item - Sphere of De-Existance (ToLl E J'Tomn*)
Unique
Today I thought I would tease you with a glimpse at a unique Legendary item. This Sphere's origin is lost in time but certainly was created by with a mad Wizard, deranged god or something else.
Historians have had this to day about the item.
"This legendary item is not sure to exist, as all atter that comes in contact with the sphere ceases to exist, except for within the sphere. It is said that those who find this can gaze into it, mind you with out touching it, and see scenes of bygone pasts, frozen in time, not existing except in the minds eye of the viewer"
*Ancient Elder Script
ToLl - Sphere
J' - Negitive Adjunct
Tomn - To Exist
Unique
Today I thought I would tease you with a glimpse at a unique Legendary item. This Sphere's origin is lost in time but certainly was created by with a mad Wizard, deranged god or something else.
Historians have had this to day about the item.
"This legendary item is not sure to exist, as all atter that comes in contact with the sphere ceases to exist, except for within the sphere. It is said that those who find this can gaze into it, mind you with out touching it, and see scenes of bygone pasts, frozen in time, not existing except in the minds eye of the viewer"
*Ancient Elder Script
ToLl - Sphere
J' - Negitive Adjunct
Tomn - To Exist
Monday, July 19, 2010
Ancient Elder Script..What the Hell?
I am sure you noticed the footnotes on the Grasslands of Theros. The language I am translating is based off the original tongue of the people called the Elders.
The Elders are akin to Romans and their use of Latin. As i throw out Elder terms I will translate them in footnotes beneath new postings. I may even just post some translations by themselves, we shall see.
Where did I get this language? Like I said I am unleashing it from my mind and passing it on to you as it comes to me (scary isn't it ;) )
Enjoy!
The Elders are akin to Romans and their use of Latin. As i throw out Elder terms I will translate them in footnotes beneath new postings. I may even just post some translations by themselves, we shall see.
Where did I get this language? Like I said I am unleashing it from my mind and passing it on to you as it comes to me (scary isn't it ;) )
Enjoy!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
First Offerings - The Grasslands of Theros
Creature -
Type - Plant (Temperate Zone)
Intelligence - None
Size - Gargantuan (1 Acre)
Name: The Grasslands of Theros (Hheros E KinDo*)
The Grasslands of Theros are actually a single ground board organism. This only part which is above ground appears to be simple blades of grass encompasing about 1 acre of land.
This plant based creature lives off the blood and decayed matter of anything that falls victim to its grassblades.
The way it captures it prey is to appear as a nice inviting glass field with beautiful and fragrant flowers near the center of the mass. The outer blades of grass and soft and behaves and normal grass does. But as the person/creature(s) reach close to the center where the flowers are, the soft supple grass blades become razor sharp and as stong as steel. The blades then will start to undulate and cut to peices any poor creature caught in the center. The Grasslands then feed off the blood and decaying matter that seeps into the ground.
It is known that this plant creature is very susceptible to fire. Those beings who figure out what this is usually prize this creature for the treasure that usually piles up in the center of the plant. Using a conrolled burn will usually clear the area, but not kill the creature (very large amounts of salt have been known to accompish this feat) and allow those adventurous enough to venture in and get the goodies left behind by past victims.
There are veriations of this plant found all over the planet, allthough they appear different everywhere they basicly work the same way.
*Ancient Elder Script
Hheros - Theros, Demi-god of Blood
Kin - Grass
Do - Land
E - of
Type - Plant (Temperate Zone)
Intelligence - None
Size - Gargantuan (1 Acre)
Name: The Grasslands of Theros (Hheros E KinDo*)
The Grasslands of Theros are actually a single ground board organism. This only part which is above ground appears to be simple blades of grass encompasing about 1 acre of land.
This plant based creature lives off the blood and decayed matter of anything that falls victim to its grassblades.
The way it captures it prey is to appear as a nice inviting glass field with beautiful and fragrant flowers near the center of the mass. The outer blades of grass and soft and behaves and normal grass does. But as the person/creature(s) reach close to the center where the flowers are, the soft supple grass blades become razor sharp and as stong as steel. The blades then will start to undulate and cut to peices any poor creature caught in the center. The Grasslands then feed off the blood and decaying matter that seeps into the ground.
It is known that this plant creature is very susceptible to fire. Those beings who figure out what this is usually prize this creature for the treasure that usually piles up in the center of the plant. Using a conrolled burn will usually clear the area, but not kill the creature (very large amounts of salt have been known to accompish this feat) and allow those adventurous enough to venture in and get the goodies left behind by past victims.
There are veriations of this plant found all over the planet, allthough they appear different everywhere they basicly work the same way.
*Ancient Elder Script
Hheros - Theros, Demi-god of Blood
Kin - Grass
Do - Land
E - of
Sharing What?
So, you may ask what will I be sharing with you all. Simply put, I am going to share ideas that can be used in any RPG universe. I will purposely keep the details non gaming specific. Which means you can use the ideas in any RPG you play.
Some of the ideas are old and some are brand new. I will share all sorts of topics with you all. So feel free to use and of these ideas and share with us any details you have worked up to flesh out my creations.
Who know where this blog may lead? Maybe ill collect the ideas and try and publish them in gaming magazines. Maybe ill write a book and even create a new game based off what comes out of my head. Who knows, but I will take you on this journey and you can see what the years ahead bring.
Some of the ideas are old and some are brand new. I will share all sorts of topics with you all. So feel free to use and of these ideas and share with us any details you have worked up to flesh out my creations.
Who know where this blog may lead? Maybe ill collect the ideas and try and publish them in gaming magazines. Maybe ill write a book and even create a new game based off what comes out of my head. Who knows, but I will take you on this journey and you can see what the years ahead bring.
Who is Fritz?
I am Fritz! Born in Camel California in 1967. I was first exposed to D&D in 1979. While in Carmel Middle School, I had stopped by the library when I noticed a group of me fellow student sitting around a round table with pads of paper and funny looking dice. One of them seemed to be telling a story. As I watch for a while I soon realized that they were playing out a medievil type game with swords and knights and dragons (very cool thought to a 10 year old such as myself) I started to feel the draw...the draw towards RPGs.
I was too shy to ask to join them as I thought I was too young. The first chance I got I checked out a local hobby store that carried D&D stuff and soon found the blue box first edition basic set. I drooled over it for a while
By the time I reached my 11th birthday I knew the time had come (I had read on the side of the basic set that this was for ages 11 and up). I had managed to save enough money from my allowance and birthday cash to buy this basic set. It also happened to co-inside with a trip up to Seattle Washington.
That was the greatest trip I have ever taken. The whole time I devoured the contents of the first Basic Set TSR had ever put out.
I immediately started creating my own adventures and worlds (I still have my earliest notes from way back when) and even though I have had periods where I didn't actively play, in my mind I was always creating new things.
You see I have a very nice gift of creativity. All I have to do is fall into my mind and I unlock the door to another universe, a universe of infinite possibilities and adventures.
THAT is what I hope to share with you all here..Open my mind and share those things which come through this door.
The door to Fritz Unleashed!
.
I was too shy to ask to join them as I thought I was too young. The first chance I got I checked out a local hobby store that carried D&D stuff and soon found the blue box first edition basic set. I drooled over it for a while
By the time I reached my 11th birthday I knew the time had come (I had read on the side of the basic set that this was for ages 11 and up). I had managed to save enough money from my allowance and birthday cash to buy this basic set. It also happened to co-inside with a trip up to Seattle Washington.That was the greatest trip I have ever taken. The whole time I devoured the contents of the first Basic Set TSR had ever put out.
I immediately started creating my own adventures and worlds (I still have my earliest notes from way back when) and even though I have had periods where I didn't actively play, in my mind I was always creating new things.
You see I have a very nice gift of creativity. All I have to do is fall into my mind and I unlock the door to another universe, a universe of infinite possibilities and adventures.
THAT is what I hope to share with you all here..Open my mind and share those things which come through this door.
The door to Fritz Unleashed!
.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)