Interactive Options: Bandits, Outlaws and Scallywags

Vanyo “Friesen” D’hallis

Appearance: A tall, lean young male elf. His skin is tanned from being outdoors, but his hands are smooth, unused to physical work. He wears expensive leather armour decorated with a leaf and flower motif, and carries an elven-style bow across his back. When attending social events he wears a set of green and gold fine robes of the most modern fashion.

Personality: Arrogant, ambitious, opportunistic and ruthless. Friesen is intelligent but narcissistic and a tendency to react violently to any criticism. He holds a deep-seated resentment of his mother and former family for their failure to appreciate his genius. He will ally with anyone if it furthers his goals and just as quickly betray them should they cease to be an asset.

Backstory: The D’hallis family were a long established noble family known as the "Lords of the Green" because of their ties to agriculture. However, over-cultivation degraded the soil of their lands, causing them to fall deep into debt. Vanyo, the youngest son, left to seek a his own fortune but a few misplaced investments left him near-destitute, until he turned his agricultural skills to the growing of the addictive (and illegal) plant dreamweed, adopting the moniker Friesen for his illegal dealings. When he suggested the family join him in this venture his mother was outraged and banished him. But when his elder brothers died in mysterious accidents, and his mother died of grief, the family manor and title were passed down to Vanyo prompting him to return to his ancestral home.

Goals:

1. Expand his dreamweed operations - Vanyo leads a group of thugs, thieves and alchemists producing a purified drug from dreamweed.
2. Reclaim his inheritance - Vanyo's mother locked the family's moonblade and deeds to their land in a near-impregnable lead safe with a combination lock (DC 30, the correct combination is the year the family was first granted the title "Lords of the Green". 
3. Gain power & status as the new Lord of the Green.

Stats

Seamus “Mr. Black” Dougle

Rivaling  Vanyo D'hallis is Mr. Black, leader of the Dougle crime family, who currently controls the black-market trade and criminal enterprises in the city.

Appearance: Stocky and well muscled, even by dwarf standards, Mr. Black is a middle-aged male dwarf with a thick well groomed beard and long black hair. He wears an old, but well-cared for leather coat over a simple black shirt, and dark coloured trousers. His heavy steel tipped boots are only cleaned if there is a “misunderstanding” and blood gets onto them.

Personality: Mr. Black is street smart, and cool-headed. He enjoys his work because he is good at it, and believes he does it fairly and honourably according to his own moral code: "it's just business". He is ruthless in punishing those that cross him, but fair and reasonable to those who show him his due respect. More intelligent than your average thug, it is Mr. Black's wits and tact that enabled him to rise to the head of the family.

Backstory: The Dougles are a multi-generational professional crime family. Well connected throughout the poor and working class neighbourhoods, they are often well-regarded members of the community by their neighbours. Mr. Black is the current head of the family with his younger brothers (Declan, Liam), as well as uncles (Finnian, Tyrone, Kellen) forming the inner circle. The family makes its money primarily off providing "protection" to various businesses and trading in stolen goods that just happen to fall into their possession. Seamus has a wife (Claire) and children (Aisling and Casey).

Goals:

1. Maintain control over the city's criminal trade.
2. Provide a comfortable life for his wife & children.

Stats

I am submitting the following magic item for DM Options: The Red Prison

Reverse Skeleton Key

Player Options: Blessed be thy Ancestors

Background: Reborn Hero

For Interactive Options: Bandits, Outlaws and Scallywags I am submitting the following trap option

Deadlock Passage

Trap (level 5-10, Moderate Threat)

You are met by the silhouette of dozens of creatures dressed in battered and battle-worn clothing. The roguish figures each have a hand crossbow drawn and pointed at one another - some at their immediate neighbor, and some taking aim fully across the room. Upon closer inspection, these bandits and outlaws appear to be statues, constructed from both stone and metal. Despite their nonliving nature, the room is filled with an air of tension and anticipation. 

Each of the statues features one or two magical stones embedded where the eyes would be, capable of sensing minute amounts of motion. Once any motion is observed, the statues’ triggers loose their arrows, filling the room with a deadly volley. Each statue contains intricate mechanisms allowing them to reload their crossbows automatically and continue firing for extended periods of time. The firing intervals are seemingly random from statue to statue, keeping a constant wave of arrows soaring through the air. Although none of these stone outlaws take aim at members of the party, traversing the room while the shoot-out occurs is undoubtedly perilous.

This trap can be applied to any enclosed space, with the threat increasing with the size of the passage or room. A larger space means more distance to transverse, potentially triggering the trap, and likely more statues present. The number of potential exits and sources of cover will also vary depending on how you want to fill the room. The suggested room is a 10 foot wide hallway that is 80 feet long.

Setup: Place any number of statues within the room, with each occupying a 5-foot square (or hex). The recommended number is 2 statues for every 100 sq feet of space within the room (for the hallway suggested above, this would be 16 statues total).  For each pair of statues, any creature which passes in any space between them risks triggering the trap. Also make note of any furniture, walls, or other objects which would usually provide Half or Three-Quarters cover.

Trigger: The magical stones within each statue’s eyes react to visible movement. Any creature or object that moves in front of one of the statues triggers the trap. Once triggered, everyone within the room must roll for Initiative. The trap does not trigger under the following circumstances: a creature moves stealthily succeeding on a (DC 20) Dexterity (Stealth) check, it is Invisible, or it crawls along the ground (moves with the Prone condition).  

Initiative: The statues act on initiative count 20 and initiative count 10 (losing ties).

Effect: On each of the trap’s turns in initiative, each creature within the room must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC 13), taking 2d6 piercing damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. This damage increases by 1d6 for every additional statue within the room beyond the first pair. 

A creature that has the Prone condition makes this saving throw with advantage. A creature that is positioned behind any source of cover within the room can also add the appropriate modifier to their saving throw, as normal.

Countermeasures: There are several actions that the party can take to avoid triggering the trap or to disarm it once triggered.

Bring the Law: Hidden within the room is a badge or amulet belonging to the trap’s creator, one which bears a striking similarity to that worn by a sheriff or constable. Finding this amulet requires a creature to take the Search action and succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check. While worn or carried, a creature which passes between a pair of statues disarms both, reducing the damage dealt by 2d6 until each pair is disarmed this way.

Destroy the Statues: Each statue has an AC of 13 and 20 Hit Points. The statues are immune to Piercing, Psychic, and Poison damage and immune to all conditions except Blinded. The statues are vulnerable to Bludgeoning and Thunder damage. The damage dealt each time the trap sets off reduces by 1d8 until only one pair of statue’s remain. When only one statue remains, the trap ceases to fire more arrows.

Escape: Leaving the room by any of its available exits provides Total Cover against this effect.

Reduce Visibility: Any spell or effect which would Heavily Obscure an area imposes the blinded condition on the statues, allowing creatures to move through that area without triggering the trap. Obscuring an area this way has no effect once the trap is triggered. 

Wait it Out: The trap continues to fire off arrows for 1 minute, after which point each statue runs out of ammunition. 

Variant Trap Versions:

Consider using any of the following variations of this trap, or a combination of them, which will increase the potential threat:

I am submitting the Blood of Heroes sorcerer, a 2024 subclass for the Player Options: Blessed be thy Ancestors

Blood of Heroes Sorcerer
A legend can be even more powerful than the greatest magic
Unlike most sorcerers, whose power comes from mythical creatures or arcane forces, the Blood of Heroes sorcerer draws their magic from ancient heroes. While their lineage contains no magical power, the legends of their deeds created a magic of its own. These sorcerers blend spellcasting with martial might, combining the grace of a seasoned fighter with the destructive force of magic. They can infuse their weapons with spells, alternating between cutting down enemies with enchanted strikes and blasting them into oblivion. Blood of Heroes sorcerers harness the spirits of their ancestors to control the battlefield and enhance their bodies beyond their limits. As they grow in power, they can summon spectral echoes of their heroic lineage to fight by their side or guide their hand in battle, embodying the feats of the heroes from which they descend.
Sorcerers of the Blood of Heroes are often driven by a sense of duty, honor, or a desire to live up to the incredible legacy that runs through their veins. They often lack classical training and may have been raised as a warrior before their powers manifested. Many are natural leaders, destined for greatness, who can inspire others through their actions and bravery, while some feel the weight of their ancestry as a burden, struggling to meet the expectations placed upon them. Regardless, they carry themselves with the discipline of a warrior and the presence of someone who knows their name will be remembered long after they’re gone.

Features

When you reach a Sorcerer level specified in the Heroic Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

Heroic Spells

Sorcerer Level	Spells
3	Heroism, Mage Armor, Enhance Ability, Find Steed
5	Blink, Haste
7	Death Ward, Stoneskin
9	Conjure Elemental, Legend Lore

		Martial Training (Level 3) You are well-versed in both martial and magical combat. You gain proficiency with Martial weapons and training with Light armor and Shields. In addition, you learn one Fighting Style of your choice.
		Ancestral Weapon (Level 3) Blood of Heroes sorcerers often carry a family weapon that belonged to a legendary ancestor. While it may not be in fighting shape anymore, it is a perfect conduit for your unique brand of magic. You learn a ritual that creates a magical bond between yourself and one weapon. You perform the ritual over the course of 1 hour, which can be done during a Short Rest. The weapon must be within your reach throughout the ritual, at the conclusion of which you touch the weapon and forge the bond. The bond fails if another creature is bonded to the weapon or if the weapon is a magic item to which someone else is attuned. You can infuse the weapon with a Sorcerer cantrip with a casting time of 1 action. You can change the selected cantrip by performing the ritual again. When you would make a weapon attack, you can choose to cast that cantrip instead. In addition, you can use the weapon as a Spellcasting Focus to cast spells from your Sorcerer spell list.
		Blade and Bolt (Level 6) The advantage of casting spells through a weapon is that it's easy to smack your nearby foes with it. After you cast a spell that has a casting time of an action, you can make one attack with your Ancestral Weapon as a Bonus Action.
Weapon Mastery (Level 6) Your training with your Ancestral Weapon allows you to use its mastery property. Whenever you perform the ritual to bond with an Ancestral Weapon, you can replace this mastery.
Heroic Spirits (Level 14) You have learned to draw forth the souls of your ancestors and release their spirits onto the battlefield. When you activate your Innate Sorcery, the heroic spirits of your ancestors extend from you in a 30 foot radius sphere that moves with you. While it is active, you can attack as if you were standing at any point in the sphere. At the end of your turn, you can choose to swap places with one of your ancestors, teleporting to any point within the sphere.
Legacy (Level 14) Your training with your Ancestral Weapon has manifested a skill befitting your pedigree. You gain proficiency in one skill of your choice.
Vault of Heroes (Level 18) You can summon armor and weapons from the legends of old to make a final stand. As a Bonus Action, you can open the Vault of Heroes for 1 minute, granting you several benefits. While the vault is open, you are under the effects of the shield, mage armor, and haste (no concentration required) spells. You can end the effect early as a Bonus Action. When the effect ends, you are Incapacitated and have a Speed of 0 until the end of your next turn. Once you use this ability, you can’t use it again until you finish a Long Rest unless you spend 7 Sorcery Points (no action required) to restore your use of it.

Edit: Formatting

Here's my submission to the player category, the Summon Ancestral Spirit spell!

Quote from MilestoGo_24 >>

Here's my submission to the player category, the Summon Ancestral Spirit spell!

I really like this and love the concept! I think you could increase the range of the Living Legacy and Protect the Bloodline abilities for all three types or give the Warrior another ability as it'll likely never be within range of the caster to use those abilities. The Arcanist would thus need a new ability (maybe a cantrip or Level 1 spell that it can cast in place of one of its attacks?), but I think the constant Temp HP from the Saint overshadows it already. You could also let the Protect the Bloodline buff last until the start of your next turn ala Shield or remove the 3/day limiter on it.

Quote from Razmus >>

Quote from MilestoGo_24 >>

Here's my submission to the player category, the Summon Ancestral Spirit spell!

I really like this and love the concept! I think you could increase the range of the Living Legacy and Protect the Bloodline abilities for all three types or give the Warrior another ability as it'll likely never be within range of the caster to use those abilities. The Arcanist would thus need a new ability (maybe a cantrip or Level 1 spell that it can cast in place of one of its attacks?), but I think the constant Temp HP from the Saint overshadows it already. You could also let the Protect the Bloodline buff last until the start of your next turn ala Shield or remove the 3/day limiter on it.

 Thanks for the feedback!

Everyone is posting really nice submissions btw! I am reading all of em, even though I haven't said a lot haha

Will there be any halloween submissions I wonder

Quote from ZomblesKlein >>

Will there be any halloween submissions I wonder

 Ooh good idea!

Quote from ZomblesKlein >>

Will there be any halloween submissions I wonder

 
If only we had the foresight to make halloween a category! I would've enjoyed brewing a Michael Jackson zombie horde.

Actually, the Halloween submission thing gave me a really good idea for the last category.

We could do a Holiday theme for one of the categories in the next one, so people could do Halloween, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years, etc. submissions.

Quote from Platyboss >>

Actually, the Halloween submission thing gave me a really good idea for the last category.

 Looking forward to seeing it

Interactive Options: Bandits, Outlaws and Scallywags

Spirit Cage

Stupid Stallworth walked by me while I was inspecting the runes. Next second he's trying to kill us all and leave.

-Bartholomew the Wise's retelling of his latest dungeon delve

Typically surrounded by wards or runes meant to trap the ghost, entrances to a Spirit Cage (Which can be identified by a successful DC 12 Arcana Check) can be described as the bars of a cell, only the living can pass through while the deceased cannot. The shape and contents of the room tend to vary, some being abandoned studies, others being a simple stone circle in the woods. The reason for the spirits trapping too varies, however over time they all eventually become deranged freedom seekers, willing to harm anything and everything to get its way out.

When a living creature enters a Spirit Cage, the ghost will attempt to posses their bodies, forcing them to make a DC 13 Wisdom Saving Throw. On a failure, the ghost successfully possesses the subject and controls their actions. It however cannot cast spells the subject would typically know nor can access their memories. They may repeat this saving throw at the end of their turns until they succeed, which in turn ends the possession. On a success, the creature becomes aware of the spirits presence and is not possessed. The ghost can possess up to three creatures at once.

The spirits goal is to use the mortal body to destroy the runes surrounding the entrance, as that is the only way they may escape, even if they are possessing a creature. There are three prominent symbols in a Spirit Cage entrance, each with a 14 AC and 20 HP. Once all three are destroyed, the magic in the Spirit Cage dies and the ghost may leave. Whether it decides to try and keep the mortal's bodies or simply leave it is the Dungeon Masters choice.

*I felt this fit as the ghost is a body thief*

Revised Summon Ancestral Spirit with relatively minor changes (will edit original post)

 This might be the first time where the interactive category seems the most popular hahaha

My submission to the DM category: Prisoner's Revenge.

Only 11 more days :D