In celebration - whether new or old to this thread - what's something you enjoyed about it?
I just enjoy the welcoming environment. this place was the first place I ever posted on the threads and immediately was welcomed into the thread, and I would say, even though a few of us have left and moved on after the crisis, we still remain a bonded community. this is what the DnD forums, heck, the Dnd community as a whole should be. sharing ideas, encouraging each other, and welcoming all.
"Come with me, and you'll be. in a world of pure imagination. Take a look, and you'll see, into your imagination. we'll begin, with a spin. traveling in a world of my creation. what we'll see will defy explanation!" ~Willy Wonka, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
their is no light without dark. no calm without storm. no heroes without villains. I, unfortunately am the dark. I am the storm. I. Am. The. Villain (not really considering I'm a forever player and never get the chance to DM)
In celebration - whether new or old to this thread - what's something you enjoyed about it?
The only thing I haven’t enjoyed is the lock-down of the old thread. This is a great place to discuss whatever we want (though mostly D&D)
Especially right now it is great because I have no D&D or RPGs in my life right now since all of our groups are not playing for a while and I can’t find another one at any LGS
So when taking breaks from arguing on forums, working my day job, and writing, I watch movies and tv shows, lol.
Of late I have been revisiting some of the very traditional folklore type films. Arthurian stuff, RObin hood, Henry II and Edward I, the ravages of the French Kings, Joan of Arc, stuff like that.
Which inspired me to look up a bunch of stuff and I was doing my brain thing and realized there is something I am missing from my world, so I had to add it in very late last night.
Crusades.
Not for the PCs to participate in, but for the backgrounds and feel of history and all that. Took a goodly bit but I did it. I am not going to create rules for a large scale battle session though, My folks can just not do that.
that leads me to my QOTD:
What Films or Television shows have an influence on your current game?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Only a DM since 1980 (3000+ Sessions) / PhD, MS, MA / Mixed, Bi, Trans, Woman / No longer welcome in the US, apparently
Wyrlde: Adventures in the Seven Cities .-=] Lore Book | Patreon | Wyrlde YT [=-. An original Setting for 5e, a whole solar system of adventure. Ongoing updates, exclusies, more. Not Talking About It / Dubbed The Oracle in the Cult of Mythology Nerds
What Films or Television shows have an influence on your current game?
I have a somewhat fleshed out idea in the campaign I just started running for a Bladesinger organization inspired by both the Mandalorian and the Witcher. Their weapons are enchanted by the "Songsmith," the matriarchal leader (much like the Mando's chapter). They go out into the land to help with combating various monsters and threats (like Witchers).
Since I watch very little TV and don’t care for for movies that much either nothing right now. ( the closest I come are occasional Facebook video clips and that is mostly bad Chinese martial arts shows.)
In celebration - whether new or old to this thread - what's something you enjoyed about it?
The only thing I haven’t enjoyed is the lock-down of the old thread. This is a great place to discuss whatever we want (though mostly D&D)
Especially right now it is great because I have no D&D or RPGs in my life right now since all of our groups are not playing for a while and I can’t find another one at any LGS
Same. I'm trying to start a group with a bunch of family members over Zoom, but I haven't had a group outside of sometimes laying at electives in school for years now. This thread and the forums in general are a great way to still be connected to D&D and the players.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
BoringBard's long and tedious posts somehow manage to enrapture audiences. How? Because he used Charm Person, the #1 bard spell!
He/him pronouns. Call me Bard. PROUD NERD!
Ever wanted to talk about your parties' worst mistakes? Do so HERE. What's your favorite class, why? Share & explainHERE.
What Films or Television shows have an influence on your current game?
I have a somewhat fleshed out idea in the campaign I just started running for a Bladesinger organization inspired by both the Mandalorian and the Witcher. Their weapons are enchanted by the "Songsmith," the matriarchal leader (much like the Mando's chapter). They go out into the land to help with combating various monsters and threats (like Witchers).
oooh, that's a nifty idea!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Only a DM since 1980 (3000+ Sessions) / PhD, MS, MA / Mixed, Bi, Trans, Woman / No longer welcome in the US, apparently
Wyrlde: Adventures in the Seven Cities .-=] Lore Book | Patreon | Wyrlde YT [=-. An original Setting for 5e, a whole solar system of adventure. Ongoing updates, exclusies, more. Not Talking About It / Dubbed The Oracle in the Cult of Mythology Nerds
So when taking breaks from arguing on forums, working my day job, and writing, I watch movies and tv shows, lol.
Of late I have been revisiting some of the very traditional folklore type films. Arthurian stuff, RObin hood, Henry II and Edward I, the ravages of the French Kings, Joan of Arc, stuff like that.
Which inspired me to look up a bunch of stuff and I was doing my brain thing and realized there is something I am missing from my world, so I had to add it in very late last night.
Crusades.
Not for the PCs to participate in, but for the backgrounds and feel of history and all that. Took a goodly bit but I did it. I am not going to create rules for a large scale battle session though, My folks can just not do that.
that leads me to my QOTD:
What Films or Television shows have an influence on your current game?
The post-apocalyptic Earth game I'm in was greatly inspired by Sweet Tooth and Adventure Time. The DM has also said that Mad Max has given him some ideas. The characters are a type of wandering adventurer that are called Paupers which were inspired by the Witcher, (books not movies though). I kind of want to play a character that draws from X-files, but I doubt my DM would really appreciate it.
What Films or Television shows have an influence on your current game?
Thundarr the Barbarian
Visionaries
Conan the Destroyer
Voltron
So want to throw One Piece in somehow.
Odd you mention one piece, lol. I was totally uninterested in the anime -- the animation style turned me off immensely.
But the netflix show actually got me liking it, lol.
Thundarr and Voltron is such an interesting combination...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Only a DM since 1980 (3000+ Sessions) / PhD, MS, MA / Mixed, Bi, Trans, Woman / No longer welcome in the US, apparently
Wyrlde: Adventures in the Seven Cities .-=] Lore Book | Patreon | Wyrlde YT [=-. An original Setting for 5e, a whole solar system of adventure. Ongoing updates, exclusies, more. Not Talking About It / Dubbed The Oracle in the Cult of Mythology Nerds
Meanwhile, I’ve solved the problem that no one realized they needed to solve! So, I’ve got a good friend who just so happens to be a math teacher. He’s staunchly refused to play D&D for a few years now, but I have finally cracked it. He doesn’t know how the game works, so it’s the perfect opportunity to introduce him to Duplicitous Numbers! This is a game that simulates creating a D&D character using only the numerical portions. I’ve used my knowledge of statistics to help randomize (but also balance) character creation for a new player who doesn’t know what they are doing! I have a few more tweaks to do, but I’ll drop the rules here soon, and then on DMs Guild or Drive Through as a free pdf! It can also help those of you who want randomized and unique character creation!
Let's do another - same idea. Each person replies and fills in the next detail... And you can detail each section you answer, as much (or as little) as you want.
Name of the Adventure/Module: Name Five Types of Creatures Found In the Module (detail as much as you want): Name Five NPCs (race, class, names, up to you on the details): Name the town that this adventure happens in or around: What kind of dungeon, cave, sewer, etc., does the main adventure happen in: How many levels to this dungeon, cave, sewer, etc. does this thing have: Who or what is the main bad (can be a new NPC or new monster not mentioned or can be one of them):
Let's do another - same idea. Each person replies and fills in the next detail... And you can detail each section you answer, as much (or as little) as you want.
Name of the Adventure/Module: Name Five Types of Creatures Found In the Module (detail as much as you want): Name Five NPCs (race, class, names, up to you on the details): Name the town that this adventure happens in or around: What kind of dungeon, cave, sewer, etc., does the main adventure happen in: How many levels to this dungeon, cave, sewer, etc. does this thing have: Who or what is the main bad (can be a new NPC or new monster not mentioned or can be one of them):
Let's hear it!
Title of the Module is...
The Floating Mountain.
EDIT:
The Floating mountain has three distinctive features: A windmill, a large greensward, and a large hook hanging from a winch.
Only a DM since 1980 (3000+ Sessions) / PhD, MS, MA / Mixed, Bi, Trans, Woman / No longer welcome in the US, apparently
Wyrlde: Adventures in the Seven Cities .-=] Lore Book | Patreon | Wyrlde YT [=-. An original Setting for 5e, a whole solar system of adventure. Ongoing updates, exclusies, more. Not Talking About It / Dubbed The Oracle in the Cult of Mythology Nerds
I admit I didn’t see AEDorsays answer until after I had come up with my own name but seeing my mistake I corrected it and have instead made another list of 5 creatures (my firsts being the worlds species list) guess that’s my job
"Come with me, and you'll be. in a world of pure imagination. Take a look, and you'll see, into your imagination. we'll begin, with a spin. traveling in a world of my creation. what we'll see will defy explanation!" ~Willy Wonka, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
their is no light without dark. no calm without storm. no heroes without villains. I, unfortunately am the dark. I am the storm. I. Am. The. Villain (not really considering I'm a forever player and never get the chance to DM)
Let's do another - same idea. Each person replies and fills in the next detail... And you can detail each section you answer, as much (or as little) as you want.
Name of the Adventure/Module: Name Five Types of Creatures Found In the Module (detail as much as you want): Name Five NPCs (race, class, names, up to you on the details): Name the town that this adventure happens in or around: What kind of dungeon, cave, sewer, etc., does the main adventure happen in: How many levels to this dungeon, cave, sewer, etc. does this thing have: Who or what is the main bad (can be a new NPC or new monster not mentioned or can be one of them):
Let's hear it!
5 kinds of creatures (once again this my contribution)
1. Aaracokra: these aggressive , xenophobic bird folk live in crater of the mountain, which was once a volcano. Their leader has been placed under a curse by the Creatures Below. They will only spare the party if they promise to save the leader of their village.
2. gargoyles: servants of evil earth, these stony foes have started swarming through a portal to assault the Aaracokra.
3. The Creatures Below: no one can see what these monsters look like because they live in the Twisting Caverns, where a magical darkness has rebases the area.
4. Sahaugin: in an underground lake lives a group of blind sahaugin who perceive things by echolocation. They hold a mystic artifact, guarded by The Tentacle
5. The tentacle: a mysterious slimy suckered tentacle that demands sacrifices every month on the new moon. In reality it is an kraboleth (kraken-aboleth) trapped under the lake bed with one tentacle free
"Come with me, and you'll be. in a world of pure imagination. Take a look, and you'll see, into your imagination. we'll begin, with a spin. traveling in a world of my creation. what we'll see will defy explanation!" ~Willy Wonka, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
their is no light without dark. no calm without storm. no heroes without villains. I, unfortunately am the dark. I am the storm. I. Am. The. Villain (not really considering I'm a forever player and never get the chance to DM)
Thundercrash Blacktalon, the hero of the aarakocra and the wife of the village's leader. She was struck by lightning while flying to the village from her original homeland, and fell to the earth aflame. Upon awakening, she had no memories. She's sworn to defend the village that saved her life, but the Creatures Below made it clear that if she intervened directly, they'd kill her husband. The others are not happy about her hesitation, but will never kill or exile her because every time lightning strikes on the mountain, it strikes her, and she's unharmed.
Crakk: Gargoyle jester. The only thing keeping the mad Gargoyle King from murdering his most trusted advisors and officers. Crakk is at his wit's end, and while he believes in the king's mission, he might betray him for the safety of the kingdom. Hasn't slept soundly in over a week, and habitually slips rock puns into his sentences even when he's trying to be serious.
Mad King Bol'dar: His original plan was to acquire the mystical artifact of the Tentacle. Upon arrival he discovered that it was no longer in the aarakocras' care, so he endeavored to coerce them into retrieving it for him. However, the king has lost his mind in the weeks since emerging from the portal. One of his most persistent hallucinations is that the floor is lava, and as he says, "the lava corrupts!" He orders his guards to kill anyone seen touching the ground, insisting that they have fallen under the control of a mysterious enemy. The aarakocra, he says, are the only conscripts he could trust (because they can fly), he just needs to capture enough of them to assault the Tentacle's forces.
Exorcist Zorm: A cleric of Moradin who was petrified long ago and recently restored to life by someone or something in the Twisting Caverns. This ancient dwarf allows the sahuagin to believe she was the victim of a basilisk, but the truth is that she experienced a prophetic vision centuries ago and petrified herself with divine magic, in order to be here when she was needed most. But what brought her back..?
The Hunter: High priest of the Tentacle, this sahuagin is tasked with collecting sacrifices. He resents the Tentacle's domination, and resents his commander for their choice to guard this place. Because of this resentment, he offers a head start to his victims along with a drug to suppress their psychic emanations -- without this, the Hunter's blessing of psionic detection would make the hunts a truly one-sided affair. The Hunter believes everyone should get a fair chance, even if the drug does induce a vicious sort of madness that makes it all but impossible for escaped sacrifices to rejoin any sort of community.
Artengu: Artengu is an aaracokra warrior who does not have a low regard for the other races like most of his people. He has red feathers and is an ancient hermit who is greatly skilled in blade craft. Not only does he create the finest blades with his Forge of the Five Winds, he also is a mighty swordsman that has trained many hero’s. He would have a stat block similar to a samurai fighter.
Xaxatotl: A sahuagin with pale pinkish skin, unseeing eyes, and red gill frills. He lived with the sahuagin tribe in the underground lake, but when he was chosen as the sacrifice for the Tentacle, he fled to the city on the surface. Now he is a well known figure in the underground crime ring and leads a criminal gang.
Vaniro Da Laritico: A well known artist and inventor, he lives in a secluded tower on the edge of the mountain. There are rumors that he has created living machines and carriages that can fly, but he does not receive many visitors and it can be hard to tell fact from fiction. He would have a stat block similar to an artificer and his inventions would be reminiscent of Da Vinci’s style.
Delacino Harabod: A gold Dragonborn, Harabod is a merchant who travels in her hot air balloon. She carries many exotic trinkets and specializes in maps of the island. She also has many pet pseudodragons who she has trained to be very obedient.
Miss Caterina Von Dunmore: An eccentric halfling woman, Caterina owns a wealthy estate on the mountain. She rarely resides in her estate, and prefers to explore the caverns of the mountain.
Name of the town: Etrianos - it lies in the greensward at the foot of the mountain. At one end of the town is the windmill, next to it but missing the driving link is the winch and hook. The windmill and the winch and hook have been there since before the village was founded. What the the hook was supposed to hold is unknown. The folk of the village have a recurring shared nightmare about the summit of the mountain but they can’t remember the details.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
I just enjoy the welcoming environment. this place was the first place I ever posted on the threads and immediately was welcomed into the thread, and I would say, even though a few of us have left and moved on after the crisis, we still remain a bonded community. this is what the DnD forums, heck, the Dnd community as a whole should be. sharing ideas, encouraging each other, and welcoming all.
"Come with me, and you'll be. in a world of pure imagination. Take a look, and you'll see, into your imagination. we'll begin, with a spin. traveling in a world of my creation. what we'll see will defy explanation!" ~Willy Wonka, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
their is no light without dark. no calm without storm. no heroes without villains. I, unfortunately am the dark. I am the storm. I. Am. The. Villain (not really considering I'm a forever player and never get the chance to DM)
Extended Signature
The only thing I haven’t enjoyed is the lock-down of the old thread. This is a great place to discuss whatever we want (though mostly D&D)
Especially right now it is great because I have no D&D or RPGs in my life right now since all of our groups are not playing for a while and I can’t find another one at any LGS
So when taking breaks from arguing on forums, working my day job, and writing, I watch movies and tv shows, lol.
Of late I have been revisiting some of the very traditional folklore type films. Arthurian stuff, RObin hood, Henry II and Edward I, the ravages of the French Kings, Joan of Arc, stuff like that.
Which inspired me to look up a bunch of stuff and I was doing my brain thing and realized there is something I am missing from my world, so I had to add it in very late last night.
Crusades.
Not for the PCs to participate in, but for the backgrounds and feel of history and all that. Took a goodly bit but I did it. I am not going to create rules for a large scale battle session though, My folks can just not do that.
that leads me to my QOTD:
What Films or Television shows have an influence on your current game?
Only a DM since 1980 (3000+ Sessions) / PhD, MS, MA / Mixed, Bi, Trans, Woman / No longer welcome in the US, apparently
Wyrlde: Adventures in the Seven Cities
.-=] Lore Book | Patreon | Wyrlde YT [=-.
An original Setting for 5e, a whole solar system of adventure. Ongoing updates, exclusies, more.
Not Talking About It / Dubbed The Oracle in the Cult of Mythology Nerds
I have a somewhat fleshed out idea in the campaign I just started running for a Bladesinger organization inspired by both the Mandalorian and the Witcher. Their weapons are enchanted by the "Songsmith," the matriarchal leader (much like the Mando's chapter). They go out into the land to help with combating various monsters and threats (like Witchers).
Since I watch very little TV and don’t care for for movies that much either nothing right now. ( the closest I come are occasional Facebook video clips and that is mostly bad Chinese martial arts shows.)
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
Same. I'm trying to start a group with a bunch of family members over Zoom, but I haven't had a group outside of sometimes laying at electives in school for years now. This thread and the forums in general are a great way to still be connected to D&D and the players.
BoringBard's long and tedious posts somehow manage to enrapture audiences. How? Because he used Charm Person, the #1 bard spell!
He/him pronouns. Call me Bard. PROUD NERD!
Ever wanted to talk about your parties' worst mistakes? Do so HERE. What's your favorite class, why? Share & explain
HERE.oooh, that's a nifty idea!
Only a DM since 1980 (3000+ Sessions) / PhD, MS, MA / Mixed, Bi, Trans, Woman / No longer welcome in the US, apparently
Wyrlde: Adventures in the Seven Cities
.-=] Lore Book | Patreon | Wyrlde YT [=-.
An original Setting for 5e, a whole solar system of adventure. Ongoing updates, exclusies, more.
Not Talking About It / Dubbed The Oracle in the Cult of Mythology Nerds
The post-apocalyptic Earth game I'm in was greatly inspired by Sweet Tooth and Adventure Time. The DM has also said that Mad Max has given him some ideas. The characters are a type of wandering adventurer that are called Paupers which were inspired by the Witcher, (books not movies though). I kind of want to play a character that draws from X-files, but I doubt my DM would really appreciate it.
Thundarr the Barbarian
Visionaries
Conan the Destroyer
Voltron
So want to throw One Piece in somehow.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
Odd you mention one piece, lol. I was totally uninterested in the anime -- the animation style turned me off immensely.
But the netflix show actually got me liking it, lol.
Thundarr and Voltron is such an interesting combination...
Only a DM since 1980 (3000+ Sessions) / PhD, MS, MA / Mixed, Bi, Trans, Woman / No longer welcome in the US, apparently
Wyrlde: Adventures in the Seven Cities
.-=] Lore Book | Patreon | Wyrlde YT [=-.
An original Setting for 5e, a whole solar system of adventure. Ongoing updates, exclusies, more.
Not Talking About It / Dubbed The Oracle in the Cult of Mythology Nerds
I’ll have to think further on that question…
Meanwhile, I’ve solved the problem that no one realized they needed to solve! So, I’ve got a good friend who just so happens to be a math teacher. He’s staunchly refused to play D&D for a few years now, but I have finally cracked it. He doesn’t know how the game works, so it’s the perfect opportunity to introduce him to Duplicitous Numbers! This is a game that simulates creating a D&D character using only the numerical portions. I’ve used my knowledge of statistics to help randomize (but also balance) character creation for a new player who doesn’t know what they are doing! I have a few more tweaks to do, but I’ll drop the rules here soon, and then on DMs Guild or Drive Through as a free pdf! It can also help those of you who want randomized and unique character creation!
I do that to the kids in my class all the time.
Roll 2d6 and add them together - addition
Roll 3d6 and add them together - harder addition
Roll 4d6 and only add the highest 3 numbers - number value
Roll a d20 and subtract 1
Roll a d20 and add 1
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
Hades, yes! One of my all time favorite Saturday Morning cartoons back in the day!
Check out my publication on DMs Guild: https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Tawmis%20Logue
Check out my comedy web series - Neverending Nights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wr4-u9-zw0&list=PLbRG7dzFI-u3EJd0usasgDrrFO3mZ1lOZ
Need a character story/background written up? I do it for free (but also take donations!) - https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?591882-Need-a-character-background-written-up
Since the world build was fun...
Let's do another - same idea. Each person replies and fills in the next detail... And you can detail each section you answer, as much (or as little) as you want.
Name of the Adventure/Module:
Name Five Types of Creatures Found In the Module (detail as much as you want):
Name Five NPCs (race, class, names, up to you on the details):
Name the town that this adventure happens in or around:
What kind of dungeon, cave, sewer, etc., does the main adventure happen in:
How many levels to this dungeon, cave, sewer, etc. does this thing have:
Who or what is the main bad (can be a new NPC or new monster not mentioned or can be one of them):
Let's hear it!
Check out my publication on DMs Guild: https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Tawmis%20Logue
Check out my comedy web series - Neverending Nights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wr4-u9-zw0&list=PLbRG7dzFI-u3EJd0usasgDrrFO3mZ1lOZ
Need a character story/background written up? I do it for free (but also take donations!) - https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?591882-Need-a-character-background-written-up
Title of the Module is...
The Floating Mountain.
EDIT:
The Floating mountain has three distinctive features: A windmill, a large greensward, and a large hook hanging from a winch.
Only a DM since 1980 (3000+ Sessions) / PhD, MS, MA / Mixed, Bi, Trans, Woman / No longer welcome in the US, apparently
Wyrlde: Adventures in the Seven Cities
.-=] Lore Book | Patreon | Wyrlde YT [=-.
An original Setting for 5e, a whole solar system of adventure. Ongoing updates, exclusies, more.
Not Talking About It / Dubbed The Oracle in the Cult of Mythology Nerds
I admit I didn’t see AEDorsays answer until after I had come up with my own name but seeing my mistake I corrected it and have instead made another list of 5 creatures (my firsts being the worlds species list) guess that’s my job
"Come with me, and you'll be. in a world of pure imagination. Take a look, and you'll see, into your imagination. we'll begin, with a spin. traveling in a world of my creation. what we'll see will defy explanation!" ~Willy Wonka, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
their is no light without dark. no calm without storm. no heroes without villains. I, unfortunately am the dark. I am the storm. I. Am. The. Villain (not really considering I'm a forever player and never get the chance to DM)
Extended Signature
5 kinds of creatures (once again this my contribution)
1. Aaracokra: these aggressive , xenophobic bird folk live in crater of the mountain, which was once a volcano. Their leader has been placed under a curse by the Creatures Below. They will only spare the party if they promise to save the leader of their village.
2. gargoyles: servants of evil earth, these stony foes have started swarming through a portal to assault the Aaracokra.
3. The Creatures Below: no one can see what these monsters look like because they live in the Twisting Caverns, where a magical darkness has rebases the area.
4. Sahaugin: in an underground lake lives a group of blind sahaugin who perceive things by echolocation. They hold a mystic artifact, guarded by The Tentacle
5. The tentacle: a mysterious slimy suckered tentacle that demands sacrifices every month on the new moon. In reality it is an kraboleth (kraken-aboleth) trapped under the lake bed with one tentacle free
"Come with me, and you'll be. in a world of pure imagination. Take a look, and you'll see, into your imagination. we'll begin, with a spin. traveling in a world of my creation. what we'll see will defy explanation!" ~Willy Wonka, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
their is no light without dark. no calm without storm. no heroes without villains. I, unfortunately am the dark. I am the storm. I. Am. The. Villain (not really considering I'm a forever player and never get the chance to DM)
Extended Signature
Five NPCs:
Thundercrash Blacktalon, the hero of the aarakocra and the wife of the village's leader. She was struck by lightning while flying to the village from her original homeland, and fell to the earth aflame. Upon awakening, she had no memories. She's sworn to defend the village that saved her life, but the Creatures Below made it clear that if she intervened directly, they'd kill her husband. The others are not happy about her hesitation, but will never kill or exile her because every time lightning strikes on the mountain, it strikes her, and she's unharmed.
Crakk: Gargoyle jester. The only thing keeping the mad Gargoyle King from murdering his most trusted advisors and officers. Crakk is at his wit's end, and while he believes in the king's mission, he might betray him for the safety of the kingdom. Hasn't slept soundly in over a week, and habitually slips rock puns into his sentences even when he's trying to be serious.
Mad King Bol'dar: His original plan was to acquire the mystical artifact of the Tentacle. Upon arrival he discovered that it was no longer in the aarakocras' care, so he endeavored to coerce them into retrieving it for him. However, the king has lost his mind in the weeks since emerging from the portal. One of his most persistent hallucinations is that the floor is lava, and as he says, "the lava corrupts!" He orders his guards to kill anyone seen touching the ground, insisting that they have fallen under the control of a mysterious enemy. The aarakocra, he says, are the only conscripts he could trust (because they can fly), he just needs to capture enough of them to assault the Tentacle's forces.
Exorcist Zorm: A cleric of Moradin who was petrified long ago and recently restored to life by someone or something in the Twisting Caverns. This ancient dwarf allows the sahuagin to believe she was the victim of a basilisk, but the truth is that she experienced a prophetic vision centuries ago and petrified herself with divine magic, in order to be here when she was needed most. But what brought her back..?
The Hunter: High priest of the Tentacle, this sahuagin is tasked with collecting sacrifices. He resents the Tentacle's domination, and resents his commander for their choice to guard this place. Because of this resentment, he offers a head start to his victims along with a drug to suppress their psychic emanations -- without this, the Hunter's blessing of psionic detection would make the hunts a truly one-sided affair. The Hunter believes everyone should get a fair chance, even if the drug does induce a vicious sort of madness that makes it all but impossible for escaped sacrifices to rejoin any sort of community.
Name five NPCs:
Artengu: Artengu is an aaracokra warrior who does not have a low regard for the other races like most of his people. He has red feathers and is an ancient hermit who is greatly skilled in blade craft. Not only does he create the finest blades with his Forge of the Five Winds, he also is a mighty swordsman that has trained many hero’s. He would have a stat block similar to a samurai fighter.
Xaxatotl: A sahuagin with pale pinkish skin, unseeing eyes, and red gill frills. He lived with the sahuagin tribe in the underground lake, but when he was chosen as the sacrifice for the Tentacle, he fled to the city on the surface. Now he is a well known figure in the underground crime ring and leads a criminal gang.
Vaniro Da Laritico: A well known artist and inventor, he lives in a secluded tower on the edge of the mountain. There are rumors that he has created living machines and carriages that can fly, but he does not receive many visitors and it can be hard to tell fact from fiction. He would have a stat block similar to an artificer and his inventions would be reminiscent of Da Vinci’s style.
Delacino Harabod: A gold Dragonborn, Harabod is a merchant who travels in her hot air balloon. She carries many exotic trinkets and specializes in maps of the island. She also has many pet pseudodragons who she has trained to be very obedient.
Miss Caterina Von Dunmore: An eccentric halfling woman, Caterina owns a wealthy estate on the mountain. She rarely resides in her estate, and prefers to explore the caverns of the mountain.
Name of the town: Etrianos - it lies in the greensward at the foot of the mountain. At one end of the town is the windmill, next to it but missing the driving link is the winch and hook. The windmill and the winch and hook have been there since before the village was founded. What the the hook was supposed to hold is unknown. The folk of the village have a recurring shared nightmare about the summit of the mountain but they can’t remember the details.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.