"Greetings, foundlings, and salutations! You have decided to enter the mystical halls of the ’Brews, where you might learn some most astonishing mysteries and solve the most tangled of puzzles. Your task is to present us with something we haven't seen before, and have it make us look upon it with delight. You have but a few tendays to create your product and show it to us, so we suggest you get to work!"
- Meyonmon Merridith, Ex-Candlekeep Scholar
If this is your first time joining us, welcome. The purpose of this thread is to spread a little bit of fun in the form of a friendly competition! Your task: Create an item of homebrew (see below) that is totally original and makes us go “wow!” The end products will be rated by members of the community, and the victor of each category will help create the next Finest ‘Brew contest! The previous contests are linked below:
All competitions thus far have contained a multitude of spectacular and inspired entries, so I suggest you check them out if you haven't already. Now, onto the important stuff:
Timeframe
Entries must be submitted before Noon (Amsterdam time) on Monday, August 28th to be considered part of the competition.
Contest Categories
In each Finest Brew contest, there are three categories. These are so that people with skill in creating, say, monsters, don't end up stuck having to make dungeons. Each category is judged separately. There can only be one entrance per category per person. The category types are as follows:
DM Options: Things that provide tools for DMs to make encounters more interesting and rewards more enticing - such as dungeons/encounters, magic items, monsters, random tables, or even optional rules/mechanics.
PC Options: Things that help a player will build and develop their character - such as homebrew classes, subclasses, spells, feats, backgrounds or race/lineage/species options.
Interactive Options: Things that affect how characters interact with the world, exploring both its social structure and environment - such as NPCs, puzzles, stories/lore, terrain, traps/hazards or even institutions like shops or taverns.
This time, our category themes are:
DM Options: Sci-fi in a Fantasy World
A shrunken gladiator faces off against surely one of the toughest foes he's ever faced: a tardigrade. Adventurers stumble upon a massive magical item 100 meters below the surface that can accelerate objects to near the speed of light. A black hole within the depths of space achieves sentience and starts to make its way towards its next snack. A mad scientist masters quantum entanglement, creating a device that changes his location as a sine wave goes up and down. No world can subsist on magic alone, so what wonders and horrors result when the facts of science (both that we know now or could discover in the future) collide with the facts of magic that oh-so-often manipulate them? (This theme was picked with the help of @Quar1on.)
Player Options: Last Resort
Some have the power to go all out in the face of death. A great spell with a horrible cost. A last stretch of adreneline before the crash. The fighter that employs a cursed power to save his town. A feat of strength that can only be achieved when the reaper comes knocking. Someone who employed all their power in their last encounter and needs to start from zero. A trick up the sleeve that will cut the arm it comes out off.
Interactive Options: That's Politics
The elections are in town or the court is struggling for a position at the king's side. Succession, Law, Piety, Power and Taxes. It all flows from somewhere. But what are the shadows behind the throne. What are the mechanics of real rulership. Who seats the throne and who falls from grace. And can those that fell rise once more? Will it be rebellion, usurpation, daggers in the night? Or will it be a good and kind rule? Is it all just build on a house of cards? And who can pull out the ace?
Voting
Voting will start Tuesday August 29th (or thereabouts, once the survey is made) and will end at Noon (Amsterdam Time) on Wednesday September 6th. A Google Forms poll for each category will be posted on this thread, and all may vote on it - including and especially contestants. Contestants are encouraged to vote 5 and 5 on their own submissions; all scores will have 5 subtracted from both voting categories. Scores are assigned using a numerical value from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).
Balance/Playability - This score is about how well the entry would run in game. If this entry is overpowered or underpowered, consider subtracting points. Also, consider subtracting points if it is poorly written or unclear, since that would make it a lot harder to understand and use in game.
Idea/Creativity- This score is about cool, interesting and unique the entry is. If someone's idea does not fit well into the contest category it is submitted for, consider subtracting points. If someone has put alot of extra work into the submission reflected by its length or artistic pieces, consider adding points
Written Feedback - You have the option to give written feedback, should you choose, for any entries on the forms. Written feedback does not factor into a contestants score.
We are hoping that by giving everyone more criteria to vote on for each entry, you will think about each aspect and not feel the need to cram all of your thoughts into a single number. We are also hoping that having multiple scores contribute to the total will make ties less likely to occur.
Please try to take the time to review and vote for every entry, except for your own, in the categories you vote in, as even one vote can easily sway a competition like this. If there's anything you feel very strongly about, also feel free to review it in the thread! Reviews won't count for anything, but it's nice to get feedback!
Determining Winners
Category Winners: Each of the two final scores will be added together to constitute the entry's total score, with the highest score determining the winner of each category.
The winner of each individual category will pick the theme for that category in the next competition. If there is a tie, then they can work together to come up with a theme. If you pick the theme for a category, then you cannot compete in it in the next competition.
Contest Winner: The entry with the highest individual score across the three categories will then be coronated as the contest winner and become the judge of the next competition. To clarify, this means that the highest of the 3 high scores is the winner.
If one person wins two or more categories, they win, regardless of if any of their individual scores are the highest.
If two or more entries are tied for highest score, the contestant with the highest total score for all of their entries will take the crown - so be sure to try and put something forward for every category to win a tiebreaker!
Guides & Mini-FAQ* & Changelog
WAIT! Before you see the 5th level Wall of Text in this FAQ’s* & Guides section, and decide not to submit to the competition because you don’t want to read it, remember that reading this section is COMPLETELY OPTIONAL. You do not need to read any of this to submit something for the competition, to pick a category, or to become the next judge. This is merely a helpful tool if you’re confused. You have no obligation to read or use it!
Guide for Competition & Category Winners.
Competition Winner: The competition winner becomes the next judge, they are responsible for doing the following:
They must start a private message thread between all the other category winners to figure out what themes the next categories will have. The judge must also pick the themes for all the categories they won. When possible, it is best to avoid reusing the same theme for the same category multiple times, though repeating themes for the same categories will be unavoidable eventually.
The judge must start the next competition thread. They can copy & paste most information from the previous competition thread, but must change the relevant information, such as dates and category themes. If you are the next judge and don’t know how long a given part of the competition, such as voting, should last, then just look at how long it lasted in the last competition, and have it be the same length for your competition. The judge should also update the “Contestants” section of their competition with links to each entry, and the name of the user who submitted it.
Once the time to submit entries ends, the judge is responsible for starting the google form for voting. If a judge doesn’t know how to do this, there will most likely be someone from the previous competition who would be willing to help if asked.
The judge should remove troll votes if there are any, and announce the scores and winners of the previous competition, after voting ends. It’s alright not to be able to do this immediately after voting ends, but the judge should try to do it as quickly as they can.
The judge, just like any other category winner, cannot submit anything to a category they created, or significantly impacted the creation of.
Category Winners: A category winner must do the following:
They must pick the next competition's theme for the category they won. Other category winners can help advise you or give you ideas for the theme, but ultimately, it’s up to you to pick it. The judge should start a private message thread with you and the other category winners, and that’s where you tell them your next category idea.
If you pick a category's theme, you cannot participate in it in the next competition. In addition, if you played a very, very significant role in picking another category’s theme, it is best for you not to participate in it. For example, if another contestant gives a list of their five ideas for the next competition and lets you pick it, then you probably shouldn’t participate in that category for when that theme comes up. However, if you just say something like, “Ooh, that sounds like a cool category idea,” or, “I like that idea but it is a little confusing, maybe you could word it differently?” Then you didn’t play that significant of a role in choosing that category, so you can still participate in it.
Mini FAQ* for competition contestants:
Q. Wait, how do I submit?
A. You just make a post in the competition thread with either a link to your entry, or your entry typed out in it. It helps to add what category you’re submitting to, but it is not strictly necessary since it’s pretty easy to figure out what type of category the entry is for.
Q. Can you vote on your own submission?
A. Yes. Contestants are encouraged strongly to vote, and to vote 5 & 5 on their own submissions, as 5 will be subtracted from each score while being calculated. This is to maintain fair voting while encouraging votes.
Q. Where can I find the forms for voting?
A. When the competition submission time ends, voting will start soon. You vote on a google form. The judge should link the forms near the voting section when they’re up, and they will probably also make a post on the thread announcing that voting’s started with the link.
Q. Can I have multiple submissions in the same competition?
A. Yes, you can have multiple submissions for the same competition. HOWEVER, as described in the “Contest Categories” section of this competition, you can only have one entry per category. For example, you can make something for the DM’s Options, PC Options, and Inspirational Options, but you can't make two things for PC Options and one for DM’s.
Q. I’ve already submitted something for X category, can I change my submission for it?
A. Yes, you can change your submission for a specific category as long as the deadline for submissions has not yet been reached. Do remember that if you’re changing your submission, it is best to edit your original post with your first submission to say that it is obsolete, and necessary to make a new one to announce & link your new submission. Also, do keep in mind that it does create a bit more work for the judges when you edit your submission, because they have to update the links. However, it is alright to do so.
Q. Is written feedback optional and does it effect an entries score?
A. Yes, written feedback is optional. No, it does not effect an entries score.
Q. Is the scoring by total score, or by average score?
A. The scoring is done by both average scores (Balance/Playability, Idea/Creativity) being added together for a final score. All scores have -5 when being calculated for reasons stated elsewhere.
Q. How do I know if my submission is more appropriate for the DM category or the Interactive category?
A. If it is not obvious which of the two categories your submission would make sense for, then it really comes down to which pillar of the game you seek to explore. DM Options are more closely tied to combat whereas Interactive Options are more closely tied to exploration and social encounters.
As an example, if you have an NPC with a stat block and you are not sure where to submit, consider whether the goal of incorporating the NPC into a game would be to fight the PCs or for the PCs to gather information from it. Its possible to write a strong, social-focused NPC who still has a stat block just in case things turn towards combat, but if your desire for the NPC is to interact with the PCs through roleplay, then it likely is more fitting for the Interactive Category. If your desire is for the NPC to maybe roleplay a little, but ultimately engage the party in combat, then it would be closer to a "monster" and fit in the DM category.
Changelog
Removed Inspirational Category. Replaced with Interactive Category. Rearranged/introduced submission types for all three categories accordingly
The goal is to expand the non-DM, non-PC options to allow for more creativity and input without being bogged down in the traditionally lengthy options of designing dungeons, character builds, and lore. With the addition of things like NPCs, puzzles, terrain, and hazards, the hope is that there is more room in the third category now for more "bite sized" homebrewing
Added “5 & 5” clause encouraging contestants to vote 5 & 5 on their own submission, and all scores will have -5 when being calculated.
The idea is to encourage contestants to vote, and to prevent imbalance in the number of votes or unfair voting. The previous “don’t vote on yours” was wholly unreliable. This way, contestants will only be at a disadvantage if they do not vote or if they vote lower on their submission.
Changed “account” to “person” in the passage under Contest Categories.
Just to ensure that submissions from alt accounts are counted under the same person.
I am about to go on holiday, so I won't have time to brew something new up this time. But I have this subclass, which should work with the player options theme, considering you can give up your signature feature as a last resort for a big boom with the level 14 feature:
I would like to know what the consensus is on the following species following the theme.
Magnum Opus Race Details
“At last,” The aged master murmured. “At last.”
I stared at him. Was that all the poor, paint-spattered man could say? He was staring back, wild-eyed, the brush he had used for the final stroke all but forgotten on the floor near me.
His mouth continued working, but only the sound of his faltering breath came out. I furrowed my brow in concern. Opening my own mouth to speak, I found my voice like a soft melody. “Who are you?” I nearly said, but it changed, mid-sentence, to “Who am I?”
He reached out and grasped me with frail arms and tugged me forward, bringing me level with his face, so I could see his brilliant blue eyes, shining with tears. With his final breath, the artist told me: “You are my masterpiece.”
— Record of the death of artist Veyet Nomone, author unknown
Often, people speak of artists putting their heart and soul into their work. But it is a very rare occasion when this becomes true, when art and expression becomes a person’s life so literally that a piece of their art that they spent their life to complete actually becomes life. This phenomenon is so rare that it has never been documented, but the few that know of it call the result a Magnum Opus.
Beautiful and Unique
All Magna Opera are unique masterpieces of art, and their form can be anything from a being of watercolor, a sculpture come to life, the manifestation of a written character, or even the incarnation of a song. Regardless of the variance of its appearance, a Magnum Opus is always perfectly accurate to its creator’s style, despite the fact that they constantly stylize motion and shift appearance when moving. Magna Opera of a two-dimensional medium generally appear almost two-dimensional, regardless of perspective.
A Soul Stolen
Magna Opera are never just a work of art. Their artists spend decades, or even their entire lifetime, creating the art that changes into a Magnum Opus. When the Magnum Opus is created, its reaction to its surroundings may vary, but is usually calm. The artist, by the effort and passion required to create such a work of art, always perishes soon after the Magnum Opus is finished. Some theorize that this could be the Magnum Opus “drinking” the artist’s soul during creation, like a child nurses from its mother.
Outliers in Society
Magna Opera are not normal. They look strange, sound strange, and act strange. Even magic reveals their existence is more that of an elemental than humanoid, despite their intelligence being about the same, and their body shape being roughly identical. So in general, society treats Magna Opera differently, for better or for worse.
A Magnum Opus’s personality reflects the art they were before they came to life, and the style of the artist that gave their life to create them. Because their personality is based on art, Magna Opera have strong personalities and feel strong emotions.
Magnum Opus Names and Gender
Magna Opera usually name themselves based on the name of their piece during creation, and may shorten it for convenience (a Magnum Opus likely won’t go by “Sonata No. 14 ‘Moonlight’ in C-Sharp” but might call themselves “Moonlight” or “Sonata”). As for gender, what a Magnum Opus identifies as often depends on what they were created to resemble, but for things such as songs, their gender may be fluid or non-binary.
Magnum Opus Traits
Your character’s existence as a Magnum Opus gives them some inherent capabilities
Ability Score Increase
Your Charisma score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Age
Magna Opera’s physical age is a matter of their own perception. If they feel they are young, they appear young. If they feel old, they slowly become older — and cannot become younger. Magna Opera die of old age when they realize they should be dead at their age.
Size
Height varies widely among Magna Opera, based on how they were created. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Artificial Body
Regardless of what was used to create you, you don’t have a proper biological body. Thus, you have resistance to poison damage, and have advantage on saving throws against poison.
Expression Born
You have an inherent connection to the art that made you. You gain proficiency in the Performance skill, and with one of the following tool sets: calligrapher’s supplies, woodcarver’s tools, cook’s utensils, glassblower’s tools, jeweler’s tools, painter’s supplies, potter’s tools, weaver’s tools, or a musical instrument.
Soul of Art
Your life force is innately birthed from the artistic mastery of your creator, and amplified by their art form. Your creature type is elemental, you have advantage on Charisma saving throws.
False Appearance
Though highly uncomfortable for Magna Opera, they are able to temporarily return to the shape they had before they were alive.
As an action, you can transform yourself and anything you’re wearing or carrying into your original shape of a Medium, Small, or Tiny (depending on the piece that resulted in your creation) unmoving piece of art in the same medium and style used to create you. While in this state, you can see and hear your surroundings, but are indistinguishable from an ordinary piece of art except by magic. In this state, you cannot speak, move, or take actions or reactions besides spending your action to revert to your normal shape. You also revert to your normal form when you take damage, die, or 1 hour passes.
Once you transform into your original shape, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice.
In many worlds of the D&D multiverse, ancient magical empires of humanoids have existed in the past, such as Aeor from Exandria or Netheril from Toril. In others, such as Ravnica or Eberron, modern human civilizations have gained mastery over arcane artifice and have begun forging extraordinary weapons of terrifying power. Among the greatest of weapons that these powerful civilizations can create are the Titanomechs, giant mechanical suits of armor that function as both mighty siege weapons and the last defense against colossal enemies, such as Elder Dragons (Ancient or Great Wyrm), the mightiest of Giants, or even avatars of the gods themselves.
Design
Modeled after the shape of a humanoid body, a Titanomech is a 22-foot tall suit of adamantine armor, with magical and mechanical internal devices that allow the Titanomech to move. Although much of the suit's movements are automated through arcane devices, the Titanomech still must be internally piloted by at least one person, but preferably all 3 control stations are filled. The helm of the Titanomech houses the station for the main pilot, while two other control stations are hidden in the shoulders of the armor.
Built into the right forearm of the Titanomech is a giant armblade, usually a longsword, which can be retracted through the push of a button. While retracted, the sword is replaced with a humanoid hand, allowing for more careful manipulation with the right hand. The left arm contains a built-in harpoon launcher, which fires an 8-foot long harpoon fused to a chain. The chain is connected to a winch inside the upper left arm, which can be used to drag flying creatures within melee range.
While most Titanomechs are functionally identical, different cultures and races make slight alterations to the coloring and minor details of the mechsuit. For example, a dwarven Titanomech might be slightly shorter, with broader proportions, wielding a giant hammer instead of the usual sword, replacing the harpoon with an integrated cannon, and be painted dark, earthy colors, such as gray and brown. In contrast, an elven Titanomech would likely have more slender proportions, and pointy ears, and be painted bright colors. As very few Titanomechs have ever been completed, their proud creators always make each Titanomech unique.
TITANOMECH
Huge vehicle, (22 feet tall, 16 feet wide)
Creature Capacity 3 Crew
Cargo Capacity 1500 pounds
Speed 45 ft.
STR
24 (+7)
DEX
10(+0)
CON
22 (+6)
INT
0
WIS
0
CHA
0
Damage Resistances fire, lightning, bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical, nonadamatine attacks
Adamantine Plating. Any critical hit against the titanomech becomes a normal hit.
Pilot. The titanomech requires at least one Medium or Small humanoid to pilot it, but can contain up to 3. While inside the titanomech, the pilots uses the vehicle’s speed and action options and can’t take reactions or use bonus actions, and the pilot has total cover. If the titanomech drops to 0 hit points, the pilots are ejected from it and land prone in an unoccupied space within 30 feet of the vehicle (ignoring the blast of the self-destruct, if triggered).
Siege Monster. The titanomech deals double damage to objects and structures.
Actions
On its turn, the titanomech has an amount of actions equal to the amount of pilots controlling it. If the body part associated with an action is destroyed, that action can no longer be performed. When using an action to attack, the attack roll uses the proficiency bonus (PB) of one pilot, chosen when the attack is made.
Torso
Armor Class 23 (natural armor)
Hit Points 150 (damage threshold 15)
Self-Destruct. Upon dropping to 0 hit points, the pilot of the titanomech may use a reaction to cause the torso to self-destruct, erupting in a magical explosion. Each creature within 20 feet of the titanomech must make a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw, taking 21 (6d6) fire and 21 (6d6) radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much on a success.
Legs
Armor Class 20 (natural armor)
Hit Points 75 (damage threshold 15)
Action - Move 45 feet, reduced by 15 for every 25 damage the legs have taken
Action - Jump 10 feet in any direction, double if it was a running jump.
Crushing Charge. The titanomech can move through the space of any Medium or smaller creature. When it does, the creature must succeed on a DC 11 Dexterity saving throw or take 9 (2d8) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. If the creature was already prone, they have disadvantage on the saving throw. A creature can only take damage from this feature once a turn.
Armblade
Armor Class 20 (natural armor)
Hit Points 50 (damage threshold 15)
Action - Armblade Melee Weapon Attack: +7 plus PB to hit (choose which pilot when attack is made), reach 10 feet, one target. Hit: 18 (3d8 + 5) magical slashing damage.
Harpoon Launcher
Armor Class 20 (natural armor)
Hit Points 50 (damage threshold 15)
2 Actions -Harpoon Ranged Weapon Attack: + 7 plus PB to hit, range 120/480 ft., one target. Hit: 29 (4d10 + 7) piercing damage and the harpoon is stuck in the target. The chain can be attacked to break the link (AC 16, 25 HP).
1 Action - Pull If the harpoon is stuck in a creature, the creature is pulled 60 feet in a straight line towards the titanomech.
Okay, hopefully I did everything correctly. This vehicle is obviously based on a variety of mechs from Sci-Fi (Titanfall, Pacific Rim, etc) but with lore that would allow them to fit in a D&D world. I combined some aspects of Warforged Titans, but with a combination of vehicle rules from Ghosts of Saltmarsh and the Stahlmast from Explorer's Guide to Wildemount.
Oh FFS I was just working on a mech vehicle and watching old clips of Gurren Lagann and GaoGaiGar for inspiration! Oh well, I'll cook up something else!
Oh FFS I was just working on a mech vehicle and watching old clips of Gurren Lagann and GaoGaiGar for inspiration! Oh well, I'll cook up something else!
Oof. Sorry. If I'd known someone else was making a mech, I would have made something else. Can't wait to see what you come up with, though!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
I would like to know what the consensus is on the following species following the theme.
Magnum Opus Race Details
“At last,” The aged master murmured. “At last.”
I stared at him. Was that all the poor, paint-spattered man could say? He was staring back, wild-eyed, the brush he had used for the final stroke all but forgotten on the floor near me.
His mouth continued working, but only the sound of his faltering breath came out. I furrowed my brow in concern. Opening my own mouth to speak, I found my voice like a soft melody. “Who are you?” I nearly said, but it changed, mid-sentence, to “Who am I?”
He reached out and grasped me with frail arms and tugged me forward, bringing me level with his face, so I could see his brilliant blue eyes, shining with tears. With his final breath, the artist told me: “You are my masterpiece.”
— Record of the death of artist Veyet Nomone, author unknown
Often, people speak of artists putting their heart and soul into their work. But it is a very rare occasion when this becomes true, when art and expression becomes a person’s life so literally that a piece of their art that they spent their life to complete actually becomes life. This phenomenon is so rare that it has never been documented, but the few that know of it call the result a Magnum Opus.
Beautiful and Unique
All Magna Opera are unique masterpieces of art, and their form can be anything from a being of watercolor, a sculpture come to life, the manifestation of a written character, or even the incarnation of a song. Regardless of the variance of its appearance, a Magnum Opus is always perfectly accurate to its creator’s style, despite the fact that they constantly stylize motion and shift appearance when moving. Magna Opera of a two-dimensional medium generally appear almost two-dimensional, regardless of perspective.
A Soul Stolen
Magna Opera are never just a work of art. Their artists spend decades, or even their entire lifetime, creating the art that changes into a Magnum Opus. When the Magnum Opus is created, its reaction to its surroundings may vary, but is usually calm. The artist, by the effort and passion required to create such a work of art, always perishes soon after the Magnum Opus is finished. Some theorize that this could be the Magnum Opus “drinking” the artist’s soul during creation, like a child nurses from its mother.
Outliers in Society
Magna Opera are not normal. They look strange, sound strange, and act strange. Even magic reveals their existence is more that of an elemental than humanoid, despite their intelligence being about the same, and their body shape being roughly identical. So in general, society treats Magna Opera differently, for better or for worse.
A Magnum Opus’s personality reflects the art they were before they came to life, and the style of the artist that gave their life to create them. Because their personality is based on art, Magna Opera have strong personalities and feel strong emotions.
Magnum Opus Names and Gender
Magna Opera usually name themselves based on the name of their piece during creation, and may shorten it for convenience (a Magnum Opus likely won’t go by “Sonata No. 14 ‘Moonlight’ in C-Sharp” but might call themselves “Moonlight” or “Sonata”). As for gender, what a Magnum Opus identifies as often depends on what they were created to resemble, but for things such as songs, their gender may be fluid or non-binary.
Magnum Opus Traits
Your character’s existence as a Magnum Opus gives them some inherent capabilities
Ability Score Increase
Your Charisma score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Age
Magna Opera’s physical age is a matter of their own perception. If they feel they are young, they appear young. If they feel old, they slowly become older — and cannot become younger. Magna Opera die of old age when they realize they should be dead at their age.
Size
Height varies widely among Magna Opera, based on how they were created. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Artificial Body
Regardless of what was used to create you, you don’t have a proper biological body. Thus, you have resistance to poison damage, and have advantage on saving throws against poison.
Expression Born
You have an inherent connection to the art that made you. You gain proficiency in the Performance skill, and with one of the following tool sets: calligrapher’s supplies, woodcarver’s tools, cook’s utensils, glassblower’s tools, jeweler’s tools, painter’s supplies, potter’s tools, weaver’s tools, or a musical instrument.
Soul of Art
Your life force is innately birthed from the artistic mastery of your creator, and amplified by their art form. Your creature type is elemental, you have advantage on Charisma saving throws.
False Appearance
Though highly uncomfortable for Magna Opera, they are able to temporarily return to the shape they had before they were alive.
As an action, you can transform yourself and anything you’re wearing or carrying into your original shape of a Medium, Small, or Tiny (depending on the piece that resulted in your creation) unmoving piece of art in the same medium and style used to create you. While in this state, you can see and hear your surroundings, but are indistinguishable from an ordinary piece of art except by magic. In this state, you cannot speak, move, or take actions or reactions besides spending your action to revert to your normal shape. You also revert to your normal form when you take damage, die, or 1 hour passes.
Once you transform into your original shape, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice.
I'm not quite sure, it sorta fits as a last resort of the artist, I guess? Definitely stretching it though... let me know if you want to enter it, I'll add it if you still do.
I think, personally, I would be much more likely to take that feat if it triggered on a hit with a weapon attack, rather than possibly wasting 3/4 of your health and taking exhaustion for no effect. For the amount of damage it does to you, I think it could maybe even do more radiant damage, possibly up to a number of d10s equal to twice your proficiency bonus.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Join the Competition of the Finest 'Brews XIX!(Or just spectate and vote, that's cool too. Either way, go there. It's awesome, and it'll be even more awesome if you join.)
I think, personally, I would be much more likely to take that feat if it triggered on a hit with a weapon attack, rather than possibly wasting 3/4 of your health and taking exhaustion for no effect. For the amount of damage it does to you, I think it could maybe even do more radiant damage, possibly up to a number of d10s equal to twice your proficiency bonus.
Yeah, it does seem a bit underpowered for what it does.
The Competition of the Finest Brews I - Judged by Yamana_Eajii. (Thread accidentally deleted)
The Competition of the Finest Brews II - Judged by Thauraeln_The_Bold.
The Competition of the Finest Brews III - Judged by TabaxiRogueFighterClericWarlock
The Competition of the Finest Brews IV - Judged by Kaboom979
The Competition of the Finest Brews V - Judged by ThorukDuckSlayer
The Competition of the Finest Brews VI - Judged by Semako
The Competition of the Finest Brews VII - Judged by MilestoGo_24
The Competition of the Finest Brews VIII — Judged by Heartofjuyomk2
The Competition of the Finest Brews IX— Judged by IamSposta
The Competition of the Finest Brews X — Judged by Kaboom979
The Competition of the Finest Brews XI - Judged by BoringBard
The Competition of the Finest Brews XII- Judged by ThorukDuckSlayer
The Competition of the Finest Brews XIII - Judged by Kaboom979
The Competition of the Finest Brews XIV- Judged by MilestoGo_24
The Competition of the Finest ‘Brews XV - Judged by IamSposta
The Competition of the Finest ‘Brews XVI - Judged by MilestoGo_24
All competitions thus far have contained a multitude of spectacular and inspired entries, so I suggest you check them out if you haven't already. Now, onto the important stuff:
Timeframe
Entries must be submitted before Noon (Amsterdam time) on Monday, August 28th to be considered part of the competition.
Contest Categories
In each Finest Brew contest, there are three categories. These are so that people with skill in creating, say, monsters, don't end up stuck having to make dungeons. Each category is judged separately. There can only be one entrance per category per person. The category types are as follows:
This time, our category themes are:
DM Options: Sci-fi in a Fantasy World
A shrunken gladiator faces off against surely one of the toughest foes he's ever faced: a tardigrade. Adventurers stumble upon a massive magical item 100 meters below the surface that can accelerate objects to near the speed of light. A black hole within the depths of space achieves sentience and starts to make its way towards its next snack. A mad scientist masters quantum entanglement, creating a device that changes his location as a sine wave goes up and down. No world can subsist on magic alone, so what wonders and horrors result when the facts of science (both that we know now or could discover in the future) collide with the facts of magic that oh-so-often manipulate them? (This theme was picked with the help of @Quar1on.)
Player Options: Last Resort
Some have the power to go all out in the face of death. A great spell with a horrible cost. A last stretch of adreneline before the crash. The fighter that employs a cursed power to save his town. A feat of strength that can only be achieved when the reaper comes knocking. Someone who employed all their power in their last encounter and needs to start from zero. A trick up the sleeve that will cut the arm it comes out off.
Interactive Options: That's Politics
The elections are in town or the court is struggling for a position at the king's side. Succession, Law, Piety, Power and Taxes. It all flows from somewhere. But what are the shadows behind the throne. What are the mechanics of real rulership. Who seats the throne and who falls from grace. And can those that fell rise once more? Will it be rebellion, usurpation, daggers in the night? Or will it be a good and kind rule? Is it all just build on a house of cards? And who can pull out the ace?
Voting
Voting will start Tuesday August 29th (or thereabouts, once the survey is made) and will end at Noon (Amsterdam Time) on Wednesday September 6th. A Google Forms poll for each category will be posted on this thread, and all may vote on it - including and especially contestants. Contestants are encouraged to vote 5 and 5 on their own submissions; all scores will have 5 subtracted from both voting categories. Scores are assigned using a numerical value from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).
Written Feedback - You have the option to give written feedback, should you choose, for any entries on the forms. Written feedback does not factor into a contestants score.
We are hoping that by giving everyone more criteria to vote on for each entry, you will think about each aspect and not feel the need to cram all of your thoughts into a single number. We are also hoping that having multiple scores contribute to the total will make ties less likely to occur.
Please try to take the time to review and vote for every entry, except for your own, in the categories you vote in, as even one vote can easily sway a competition like this. If there's anything you feel very strongly about, also feel free to review it in the thread! Reviews won't count for anything, but it's nice to get feedback!
Determining Winners
Guides & Mini-FAQ* & Changelog
WAIT! Before you see the 5th level Wall of Text in this FAQ’s* & Guides section, and decide not to submit to the competition because you don’t want to read it, remember that reading this section is COMPLETELY OPTIONAL. You do not need to read any of this to submit something for the competition, to pick a category, or to become the next judge. This is merely a helpful tool if you’re confused. You have no obligation to read or use it!
Guide for Competition & Category Winners.
Competition Winner: The competition winner becomes the next judge, they are responsible for doing the following:
Category Winners: A category winner must do the following:
Mini FAQ* for competition contestants:
Q. Wait, how do I submit?
A. You just make a post in the competition thread with either a link to your entry, or your entry typed out in it. It helps to add what category you’re submitting to, but it is not strictly necessary since it’s pretty easy to figure out what type of category the entry is for.
Q. Can you vote on your own submission?
A. Yes. Contestants are encouraged strongly to vote, and to vote 5 & 5 on their own submissions, as 5 will be subtracted from each score while being calculated. This is to maintain fair voting while encouraging votes.
Q. Where can I find the forms for voting?
A. When the competition submission time ends, voting will start soon. You vote on a google form. The judge should link the forms near the voting section when they’re up, and they will probably also make a post on the thread announcing that voting’s started with the link.
Q. Can I have multiple submissions in the same competition?
A. Yes, you can have multiple submissions for the same competition. HOWEVER, as described in the “Contest Categories” section of this competition, you can only have one entry per category. For example, you can make something for the DM’s Options, PC Options, and Inspirational Options, but you can't make two things for PC Options and one for DM’s.
Q. I’ve already submitted something for X category, can I change my submission for it?
A. Yes, you can change your submission for a specific category as long as the deadline for submissions has not yet been reached. Do remember that if you’re changing your submission, it is best to edit your original post with your first submission to say that it is obsolete, and necessary to make a new one to announce & link your new submission. Also, do keep in mind that it does create a bit more work for the judges when you edit your submission, because they have to update the links. However, it is alright to do so.
Q. Is written feedback optional and does it effect an entries score?
A. Yes, written feedback is optional. No, it does not effect an entries score.
Q. Is the scoring by total score, or by average score?
A. The scoring is done by both average scores (Balance/Playability, Idea/Creativity) being added together for a final score. All scores have -5 when being calculated for reasons stated elsewhere.
Q. How do I know if my submission is more appropriate for the DM category or the Interactive category?
A. If it is not obvious which of the two categories your submission would make sense for, then it really comes down to which pillar of the game you seek to explore. DM Options are more closely tied to combat whereas Interactive Options are more closely tied to exploration and social encounters.
As an example, if you have an NPC with a stat block and you are not sure where to submit, consider whether the goal of incorporating the NPC into a game would be to fight the PCs or for the PCs to gather information from it. Its possible to write a strong, social-focused NPC who still has a stat block just in case things turn towards combat, but if your desire for the NPC is to interact with the PCs through roleplay, then it likely is more fitting for the Interactive Category. If your desire is for the NPC to maybe roleplay a little, but ultimately engage the party in combat, then it would be closer to a "monster" and fit in the DM category.
Changelog
Removed Inspirational Category. Replaced with Interactive Category. Rearranged/introduced submission types for all three categories accordingly
Added “5 & 5” clause encouraging contestants to vote 5 & 5 on their own submission, and all scores will have -5 when being calculated.
Changed “account” to “person” in the passage under Contest Categories.
Contestants
DM Options: Sci-fi in a Fantasy World
Manikin (Monster) by PJtheARCHERPlayer Options: Last Resort
Awakened Tree (Race) by PJtheArcherInteractive Options: That's Politics
Survey
Vote Here
I am also here.
Am snek.
I am currently judging the Competition of the Finest 'Brews XXIV
I am about to go on holiday, so I won't have time to brew something new up this time. But I have this subclass, which should work with the player options theme, considering you can give up your signature feature as a last resort for a big boom with the level 14 feature:
GMBinder: https://www.gmbinder.com/share/-Na1MQeACfb1RkW5Vi9M
Also please forgive me the boring formatting without any art, just don't have time for that :-(
Looking forward to participating! I love the themes!
Come participate in the Competition of the Finest Brews, Edition XXII?
My homebrew stuff:
Spells, Monsters, Magic Items, Feats, Subclasses.
I am an Archfey, but nobody seems to notice.
Extended Signature
Here is my submission to the DM Category:
Epsilon-Complex Security Spear Model ES-273
Come participate in the Competition of the Finest Brews, Edition XXII?
My homebrew stuff:
Spells, Monsters, Magic Items, Feats, Subclasses.
I am an Archfey, but nobody seems to notice.
Extended Signature
I would like to know what the consensus is on the following species following the theme.
Magnum Opus Race Details
Often, people speak of artists putting their heart and soul into their work. But it is a very rare occasion when this becomes true, when art and expression becomes a person’s life so literally that a piece of their art that they spent their life to complete actually becomes life. This phenomenon is so rare that it has never been documented, but the few that know of it call the result a Magnum Opus.
Beautiful and Unique
All Magna Opera are unique masterpieces of art, and their form can be anything from a being of watercolor, a sculpture come to life, the manifestation of a written character, or even the incarnation of a song. Regardless of the variance of its appearance, a Magnum Opus is always perfectly accurate to its creator’s style, despite the fact that they constantly stylize motion and shift appearance when moving. Magna Opera of a two-dimensional medium generally appear almost two-dimensional, regardless of perspective.
A Soul Stolen
Magna Opera are never just a work of art. Their artists spend decades, or even their entire lifetime, creating the art that changes into a Magnum Opus. When the Magnum Opus is created, its reaction to its surroundings may vary, but is usually calm. The artist, by the effort and passion required to create such a work of art, always perishes soon after the Magnum Opus is finished. Some theorize that this could be the Magnum Opus “drinking” the artist’s soul during creation, like a child nurses from its mother.
Outliers in Society
Magna Opera are not normal. They look strange, sound strange, and act strange. Even magic reveals their existence is more that of an elemental than humanoid, despite their intelligence being about the same, and their body shape being roughly identical. So in general, society treats Magna Opera differently, for better or for worse.
A Magnum Opus’s personality reflects the art they were before they came to life, and the style of the artist that gave their life to create them. Because their personality is based on art, Magna Opera have strong personalities and feel strong emotions.
Magnum Opus Names and Gender
Magna Opera usually name themselves based on the name of their piece during creation, and may shorten it for convenience (a Magnum Opus likely won’t go by “Sonata No. 14 ‘Moonlight’ in C-Sharp” but might call themselves “Moonlight” or “Sonata”). As for gender, what a Magnum Opus identifies as often depends on what they were created to resemble, but for things such as songs, their gender may be fluid or non-binary.
Magnum Opus Traits
Your character’s existence as a Magnum Opus gives them some inherent capabilities
Ability Score Increase
Your Charisma score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Age
Magna Opera’s physical age is a matter of their own perception. If they feel they are young, they appear young. If they feel old, they slowly become older — and cannot become younger. Magna Opera die of old age when they realize they should be dead at their age.
Size
Height varies widely among Magna Opera, based on how they were created. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Artificial Body
Regardless of what was used to create you, you don’t have a proper biological body. Thus, you have resistance to poison damage, and have advantage on saving throws against poison.
Expression Born
You have an inherent connection to the art that made you. You gain proficiency in the Performance skill, and with one of the following tool sets: calligrapher’s supplies, woodcarver’s tools, cook’s utensils, glassblower’s tools, jeweler’s tools, painter’s supplies, potter’s tools, weaver’s tools, or a musical instrument.
Soul of Art
Your life force is innately birthed from the artistic mastery of your creator, and amplified by their art form. Your creature type is elemental, you have advantage on Charisma saving throws.
False Appearance
Though highly uncomfortable for Magna Opera, they are able to temporarily return to the shape they had before they were alive.
As an action, you can transform yourself and anything you’re wearing or carrying into your original shape of a Medium, Small, or Tiny (depending on the piece that resulted in your creation) unmoving piece of art in the same medium and style used to create you. While in this state, you can see and hear your surroundings, but are indistinguishable from an ordinary piece of art except by magic. In this state, you cannot speak, move, or take actions or reactions besides spending your action to revert to your normal shape. You also revert to your normal form when you take damage, die, or 1 hour passes.
Once you transform into your original shape, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice.
Come participate in the Competition of the Finest Brews, Edition XXII?
My homebrew stuff:
Spells, Monsters, Magic Items, Feats, Subclasses.
I am an Archfey, but nobody seems to notice.
Extended Signature
DM Option:
Titanomech
In many worlds of the D&D multiverse, ancient magical empires of humanoids have existed in the past, such as Aeor from Exandria or Netheril from Toril. In others, such as Ravnica or Eberron, modern human civilizations have gained mastery over arcane artifice and have begun forging extraordinary weapons of terrifying power. Among the greatest of weapons that these powerful civilizations can create are the Titanomechs, giant mechanical suits of armor that function as both mighty siege weapons and the last defense against colossal enemies, such as Elder Dragons (Ancient or Great Wyrm), the mightiest of Giants, or even avatars of the gods themselves.
Design
Modeled after the shape of a humanoid body, a Titanomech is a 22-foot tall suit of adamantine armor, with magical and mechanical internal devices that allow the Titanomech to move. Although much of the suit's movements are automated through arcane devices, the Titanomech still must be internally piloted by at least one person, but preferably all 3 control stations are filled. The helm of the Titanomech houses the station for the main pilot, while two other control stations are hidden in the shoulders of the armor.
Built into the right forearm of the Titanomech is a giant armblade, usually a longsword, which can be retracted through the push of a button. While retracted, the sword is replaced with a humanoid hand, allowing for more careful manipulation with the right hand. The left arm contains a built-in harpoon launcher, which fires an 8-foot long harpoon fused to a chain. The chain is connected to a winch inside the upper left arm, which can be used to drag flying creatures within melee range.
While most Titanomechs are functionally identical, different cultures and races make slight alterations to the coloring and minor details of the mechsuit. For example, a dwarven Titanomech might be slightly shorter, with broader proportions, wielding a giant hammer instead of the usual sword, replacing the harpoon with an integrated cannon, and be painted dark, earthy colors, such as gray and brown. In contrast, an elven Titanomech would likely have more slender proportions, and pointy ears, and be painted bright colors. As very few Titanomechs have ever been completed, their proud creators always make each Titanomech unique.
TITANOMECH
Huge vehicle, (22 feet tall, 16 feet wide)
Creature Capacity 3 Crew
Cargo Capacity 1500 pounds
Speed 45 ft.
Damage Resistances fire, lightning, bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical, nonadamatine attacks
Damage Immunities poison, psychic
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, unconscious
Adamantine Plating. Any critical hit against the titanomech becomes a normal hit.
Pilot. The titanomech requires at least one Medium or Small humanoid to pilot it, but can contain up to 3. While inside the titanomech, the pilots uses the vehicle’s speed and action options and can’t take reactions or use bonus actions, and the pilot has total cover. If the titanomech drops to 0 hit points, the pilots are ejected from it and land prone in an unoccupied space within 30 feet of the vehicle (ignoring the blast of the self-destruct, if triggered).
Siege Monster. The titanomech deals double damage to objects and structures.
Actions
On its turn, the titanomech has an amount of actions equal to the amount of pilots controlling it. If the body part associated with an action is destroyed, that action can no longer be performed. When using an action to attack, the attack roll uses the proficiency bonus (PB) of one pilot, chosen when the attack is made.
Torso
Armor Class 23 (natural armor)
Hit Points 150 (damage threshold 15)
Self-Destruct. Upon dropping to 0 hit points, the pilot of the titanomech may use a reaction to cause the torso to self-destruct, erupting in a magical explosion. Each creature within 20 feet of the titanomech must make a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw, taking 21 (6d6) fire and 21 (6d6) radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much on a success.
Legs
Armor Class 20 (natural armor)
Hit Points 75 (damage threshold 15)
Action - Move 45 feet, reduced by 15 for every 25 damage the legs have taken
Action - Jump 10 feet in any direction, double if it was a running jump.
Crushing Charge. The titanomech can move through the space of any Medium or smaller creature. When it does, the creature must succeed on a DC 11 Dexterity saving throw or take 9 (2d8) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. If the creature was already prone, they have disadvantage on the saving throw. A creature can only take damage from this feature once a turn.
Armblade
Armor Class 20 (natural armor)
Hit Points 50 (damage threshold 15)
Action - Armblade Melee Weapon Attack: +7 plus PB to hit (choose which pilot when attack is made), reach 10 feet, one target. Hit: 18 (3d8 + 5) magical slashing damage.
Harpoon Launcher
Armor Class 20 (natural armor)
Hit Points 50 (damage threshold 15)
2 Actions - Harpoon Ranged Weapon Attack: + 7 plus PB to hit, range 120/480 ft., one target. Hit: 29 (4d10 + 7) piercing damage and the harpoon is stuck in the target. The chain can be attacked to break the link (AC 16, 25 HP).
1 Action - Pull If the harpoon is stuck in a creature, the creature is pulled 60 feet in a straight line towards the titanomech.
Okay, hopefully I did everything correctly. This vehicle is obviously based on a variety of mechs from Sci-Fi (Titanfall, Pacific Rim, etc) but with lore that would allow them to fit in a D&D world. I combined some aspects of Warforged Titans, but with a combination of vehicle rules from Ghosts of Saltmarsh and the Stahlmast from Explorer's Guide to Wildemount.
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
Spells, Monsters, Subclasses, Races, Arcknight Class, Occultist Class, World, Enigmatic Esoterica forms
Oh FFS I was just working on a mech vehicle and watching old clips of Gurren Lagann and GaoGaiGar for inspiration! Oh well, I'll cook up something else!
Oof. Sorry. If I'd known someone else was making a mech, I would have made something else. Can't wait to see what you come up with, though!
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
Spells, Monsters, Subclasses, Races, Arcknight Class, Occultist Class, World, Enigmatic Esoterica forms
Hah, no biggie!
Why can’t there be two mechs? ROBOT DEATH BATTLE!!!
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
I'm not quite sure, it sorta fits as a last resort of the artist, I guess? Definitely stretching it though... let me know if you want to enter it, I'll add it if you still do.
I am also here.
Am snek.
I am currently judging the Competition of the Finest 'Brews XXIV
You can enter one per category.
But you can withdraw an entry if you want to enter something else.
I am also here.
Am snek.
I am currently judging the Competition of the Finest 'Brews XXIV
Yes, each category has it's own theme ^^
I am also here.
Am snek.
I am currently judging the Competition of the Finest 'Brews XXIV
Looking forward to it!
I am also here.
Am snek.
I am currently judging the Competition of the Finest 'Brews XXIV
My official Player Category submission: Resolve of the Solwatch
Come participate in the Competition of the Finest Brews, Edition XXII?
My homebrew stuff:
Spells, Monsters, Magic Items, Feats, Subclasses.
I am an Archfey, but nobody seems to notice.
Extended Signature
I should have a player submission soon, I’m just struggling with the name.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Looking forward to it!
I am also here.
Am snek.
I am currently judging the Competition of the Finest 'Brews XXIV
First week of submissions have been gathered! Let's hope for many more before the deadline!!!
I am also here.
Am snek.
I am currently judging the Competition of the Finest 'Brews XXIV
I think, personally, I would be much more likely to take that feat if it triggered on a hit with a weapon attack, rather than possibly wasting 3/4 of your health and taking exhaustion for no effect. For the amount of damage it does to you, I think it could maybe even do more radiant damage, possibly up to a number of d10s equal to twice your proficiency bonus.
Join the Competition of the Finest 'Brews XIX! (Or just spectate and vote, that's cool too. Either way, go there. It's awesome, and it'll be even more awesome if you join.)
Yeah, it does seem a bit underpowered for what it does.
I am also here.
Am snek.
I am currently judging the Competition of the Finest 'Brews XXIV