Today I want to share one of the Warlock Lodges from my new book The Warlock for Swords & Wizardry. Also, this is a good topic for this month's RPG Blog Carnival topic Magic and The Occult, hosted by Sea of Stars RPG.
Warlock Lodges
The Lodge is a secret order that often only admits a few Warlocks at a time. Each Lodge has their methods of instruction for their potential Warlock, and these are a closely guarded secret. While a Witch may leave the lands where she learned her tradition from her sisters, Warlocks join a Lodge for life. The Lodge is also the physical meeting place, sanctuary, and library of the Warlock.
Masters of the Invisible College
This esoteric lodge believes they are the foundation for all arcane study, not just Warlocks, but Wizards and Witches as well. Their vaulted halls contain the wisdom of the ages and spells never before seen. Only those of the highest intelligence may be admitted and then a rigorous training program must begin. Only when the Warlock has proven himself (10th level) will he be allowed access to the Deeper Mysteries and Hidden Knowledge of the Akashic Records. The location of this great store of knowledge is one of the best-kept secrets in the world.
Warlocks of this Lodge believe that nothing is more important than the arcane pursuits. This lodge is unique among lodges in that it actively recruits warlocks, witches, magic-users and clerics of gods of magic and knowledge to join their ranks for the pursuit of arcane knowledge. Members of this lodge agree to put aside personal differences in terms of patrons, alignments, and racial differences so that they gain greater insight to magic. Masters of the Invisible College are the foremost expert on identifying magic items and researching spells. Prospective members must bring a new magic item to the lodge for study. The item need not be powerful, indeed, low power but unique items are more sought after. Items with history or created by famous spellcasters are also sought after.
The Lodge does not reveal what they do with these items outside of study.
While the Masters of the Invisible College has the overt makings of a Grand Lodge or a Grand Coven (a grouping of both Witches and Warlocks), it is actually neither.
Witches most likely to join the Secret Masters will belong to the Aquarian Tradition (from the Witch). Wizards and Alchemists are also likely to join.
Witches in this Lodge will treat it as their Coven. They can learn Magic-User spells of the appropriate level to replace their Ritual Spells much like a Hedge Witch or Witches of the Aiséiligh Tradition. Such spells could also be unique or rare to the game world. (I suggest something like +Dyson Logos' Magical Theorems & Dark Pacts to add more spells.)
Joining the College
Potential entrants are brought in at 1st level. They must have Intelligence scores of 16 or better and bring in one new magic item. Entry must be done before 2nd level. Often the College seeks out gifted individuals and waives the normal entry fees (1000 gp). All Probationers are required to have a Sponsor who will eventually become their Mentor. Entry is decided by the Deans of the College.
GM's are encouraged to make Lodges that fit their own game world.
Pick up a copy of the Warlock for Swords & Wizardry.
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Good Times. Bad Times.
In the days of my youth I was told what it means to be a man...
Oh wait. Not those times.
Good News. I got the proof copy back of the Warlock today! I was going to make it live.
Bad News. Rather glaring typos on the back cover.
Not happy about this. So I am going to fix them and re-submit. But it looked so great.
Oh wait. Not those times.
Good News. I got the proof copy back of the Warlock today! I was going to make it live.
Bad News. Rather glaring typos on the back cover.
Not happy about this. So I am going to fix them and re-submit. But it looked so great.
No More Secrets in Saltmarsh
Over the weekend we continued with what was going to be the Second Campaign. Still is...but I'll get to that.
The boys made some new characters and we started the "Treasure Hunters" group. Overtly this group is getting together to hunt treasure. We have a band centered around "an expert treasure hunter" (a ranger), a cleric of the god of Knowledge and warlock. Joining the group is my favorite character to date, a gnome druid named "Erky Timbers", played by my youngest.
I took them through U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh. We had such a great time we played for about 10 hours, only stopping to quickly grab a bite to eat.
We played it under 5e and I used +Mark Stout's "Classic Modules Today" conversion of U1 to help us out.
Though this proposes and interesting problem for me. This is the adventure I wanted to use to start the "Second Campaign", the one that runs parallel to the "Come Endless Darkness" campaign. At some point, after 15th level, the survivors of both campaigns will come together to fight a larger evil.
I supposedly started the Second Campaign back in March with the Forgotten Realms. But so far we are only one adventure and two sessions into that one. Plus that one is in the Realms, the Come Endless Darkness is very much Oerth/Greyhawk.
So. I might change that game to a simple "Into the Forgotten Realms" game and pick the Second Campaign Game up here in Oerth. I was vague on where Saltmarsh actually was, so I can still decide. Given the adventures, I am pretty sold on it being in Greyhawk.
N1 Against the Cult of the Reptile God levels 1-3 (novice)
U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh, levels 1-3
U2 Danger at Dunwater, levels 1-4
U3 The Final Enemy levels 3-5
I1 Dwellers of the Forbidden City, levels 4-7
I3 Pharaoh, levels 5-7
I4 Oasis of the White Palm, levels 6-8
I5 Lost Tomb of Martek, levels 7-9
X4 Master of the Desert Nomads, levels 6-9
X5 Temple of Death, levels 6-10
I9 Day of Al'Akbar, level 8-10
Gary Gygax's Necropolis, levels 10+
With a break right after I4 for the Council of Greyhawk. This group will be sent to the desert but unlike the Order of the Platinum Dragon the Treasure hunters will not be transported back.
This could end up being quite epic. Hope I am able to get it all done.
The boys made some new characters and we started the "Treasure Hunters" group. Overtly this group is getting together to hunt treasure. We have a band centered around "an expert treasure hunter" (a ranger), a cleric of the god of Knowledge and warlock. Joining the group is my favorite character to date, a gnome druid named "Erky Timbers", played by my youngest.
I took them through U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh. We had such a great time we played for about 10 hours, only stopping to quickly grab a bite to eat.
We played it under 5e and I used +Mark Stout's "Classic Modules Today" conversion of U1 to help us out.
Though this proposes and interesting problem for me. This is the adventure I wanted to use to start the "Second Campaign", the one that runs parallel to the "Come Endless Darkness" campaign. At some point, after 15th level, the survivors of both campaigns will come together to fight a larger evil.
I supposedly started the Second Campaign back in March with the Forgotten Realms. But so far we are only one adventure and two sessions into that one. Plus that one is in the Realms, the Come Endless Darkness is very much Oerth/Greyhawk.
So. I might change that game to a simple "Into the Forgotten Realms" game and pick the Second Campaign Game up here in Oerth. I was vague on where Saltmarsh actually was, so I can still decide. Given the adventures, I am pretty sold on it being in Greyhawk.
N1 Against the Cult of the Reptile God levels 1-3 (novice)
U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh, levels 1-3
U2 Danger at Dunwater, levels 1-4
U3 The Final Enemy levels 3-5
I1 Dwellers of the Forbidden City, levels 4-7
I3 Pharaoh, levels 5-7
I4 Oasis of the White Palm, levels 6-8
I5 Lost Tomb of Martek, levels 7-9
X4 Master of the Desert Nomads, levels 6-9
X5 Temple of Death, levels 6-10
I9 Day of Al'Akbar, level 8-10
Gary Gygax's Necropolis, levels 10+
With a break right after I4 for the Council of Greyhawk. This group will be sent to the desert but unlike the Order of the Platinum Dragon the Treasure hunters will not be transported back.
This could end up being quite epic. Hope I am able to get it all done.
Monday, May 1, 2017
Witch & Witchcraft Reading Challenge: Pathfinder Tales: Winter Witch
Pathfinder Tales: Winter Witch by Elaine Cunningham and Dave Gross.
Gamer Fiction is a bit of an odd thing for me. I admit I enjoy it and sometimes I find something good. But there is a tinge of guilt that I am "wasting my time" and not reading something better. I guess this makes it the very definition of "guilty pleasures".
Winter Witch is no different. Elaine Cunningham has been writing for years and has some notable titles under belt. It will not be confused with great literature, but it is also not supposed to be. It is a fun little romp through a frozen world with a wizard turned forger and cshieldmaiden looking for her sister. Ellasif, the aforementioned shieldmaiden is the hero of our tale and the most interesting. She obviously loves her sister Liv, but is also not a little afraid of her.
Her beginning story was very interesting. I could not help but feel it was nice mix of Slavic, Saxon and Celtic myths all rolled into one. The story then shifts to the tale of a wizard (we later learn) and map maker forger Declan. Declan was not as interesting to me to be honest though the mystery around him was. These two unlikely heroes, grim Ellasif and urbane Declan, set off to find Liv and take her from the clutches of the Witches of Irrisen, maybe even from the clutches of Baba Yaga herself!
The book was a fun, really quick read. Though I will admit there are parts of the ending I was not satisfied with. Unlike some game-related fiction, where you can practically hear the dice rolling in the background, this read much more like a novel. I read this one soon after a few Forgotten Realm novels so the competing descriptions of some the same spells (for example Fireball) were very interesting. I guess the question I ask myself is would I read another book by Elaine Cunningham? Yes, absolutely! Would I read another book with these characters? Maybe, depends on what the book was about.
I was hoping that Feiya would make a cameo, but no such luck really. Maybe the iconics don't appear in books.
This was another Audiobook find and the reader, Daniel Thomas May, did a great job.
Elaine Cunningham can be found on the web here:
https://www.facebook.com/elaine.cunningham
and
http://www.elainecunningham.com/
2017 Witch & Witchcraft Reading Challenge
Books Read so far: 12
Level: Mother
Witches in this book: Many. All of Irrisen, Baba Yaga, Liv and Mareshka.
Are they Good Witches or Bad Witches: All the above. THough mostly they are Bad.
Best RPG to Emulate it: Well. It is a Pathfinder book. Pathfinder is the obvious choice here.
Use in WotWQ: Absolutely! I can't say for sure what or who will appear, but Irrisen will absolutely feature into the War of the Witch Queens. Expect to see Baba Yaga there too.
Don't forget. Today is Beltane!
Pick up a copy of the Warlock for Swords & Wizardry.
Sunday, April 30, 2017
The Warlock for Swords & Wizardry
Now to the Brocken the witches ride;
The stubble is gold and the corn is green;
There is the carnival crew to be seen,
And Squire Urianus will come to preside.
So over the valleys our company floats,
With witches a-farting on stinking old goats.
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe "Faust"
Tonight is Walpurgis Night. Tonight the witches will ride on brooms and goats to the Brocken in the Harz Mountains and celebrate with the Devil.
Tomorrow is Beltane and Witches will celebrate the start of May and the return of Summer with bonfires.
Today I celebrate the release The Warlock for Swords & Wizardry!
Cover art Copyright 2015 Dean Spencer |
The Warlock includes:
- The Warlock class
- New race: The Tieflings
- Rules for goblin, hobgoblin and bugbear warlocks
- 160+ spells
- 50+ Warlock invocations
- New monsters including the Baalseraph, Calabim, Lilim and Shedim demon families.
- Animal Lords and Faerie Lords
- New Magic Items
A softcover version is coming in the next couple of days. I just need to wait till it is delivered to me for approval.
Friday, April 28, 2017
Kickstart Your Weekend: Talislanta, Blueholme and New Minis
A bunch of Kickstarters wrapping up their funding here are some that caught my eye.
Talislanta: The Savage Land
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1861515217/talislanta-the-savage-land
Old-school gamers will remember the infamous Dragon ads of "No Elves" in the old Talislanta ads. Well the old Bard Games classic is back and for 5 different systems! This one looks epic to be honest and I can't wait to see how the game looks when done.
BLUEHOLME™ Journeymanne Rules
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dreamscapedesign/blueholmetm-journeymanne-rules
I am not sure we need another retro-clone of Old-School D&D, but I am such a Holmes fan-boy that this is hard to pass up. Plus I have been wanting to see these rules for a while now.
That cover looks awesome and they are nearing their final stretch goal.
Dark Sword Miniatures – Stephanie Law Masterworks Expansion
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/823962857/dark-sword-miniatures-stephanie-law-masterworks-ex
I am a big fan of the Dark Sword Masterworks miniatures and now we have a series from Stephanie Law. She joins such greats a Larry Elmore, Keith Parkinson, Clyde Caldwell and Jeff Easley. These minis look great too, they will be perfect for my upcoming Blue Rose game.
Talislanta: The Savage Land
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1861515217/talislanta-the-savage-land
Old-school gamers will remember the infamous Dragon ads of "No Elves" in the old Talislanta ads. Well the old Bard Games classic is back and for 5 different systems! This one looks epic to be honest and I can't wait to see how the game looks when done.
BLUEHOLME™ Journeymanne Rules
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dreamscapedesign/blueholmetm-journeymanne-rules
I am not sure we need another retro-clone of Old-School D&D, but I am such a Holmes fan-boy that this is hard to pass up. Plus I have been wanting to see these rules for a while now.
That cover looks awesome and they are nearing their final stretch goal.
Dark Sword Miniatures – Stephanie Law Masterworks Expansion
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/823962857/dark-sword-miniatures-stephanie-law-masterworks-ex
I am a big fan of the Dark Sword Masterworks miniatures and now we have a series from Stephanie Law. She joins such greats a Larry Elmore, Keith Parkinson, Clyde Caldwell and Jeff Easley. These minis look great too, they will be perfect for my upcoming Blue Rose game.
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
S&W Warlock: Meet Nik Nak, Goblin Warlock
Nik Nak is one of the first warlocks I worked up for my new Warlock for Swords & Wizardry.
He is a sneaky little goblin, but smarter than most.
Nik Nak
3rd Level Goblin Warlock (Bogelbo)
hp 11
S: 9
I: 13
W: 10
D: 12
Cn: 10
Ch: 14
Saves: +2 to saves against charm, hold, paralysis and sleep spells.
BtH: +0
AC: 7* (lesser if Armor of Shadows is invoked)
Alignment: Chaotic
Invocations
Arcane Blast, Agonizing Blast, Armor of Shadows
Spells
1st: Häxen Talons, Obedient Beast
2nd: Poisonous Stare
Nik Nak is a respected, and feared, member of his goblin clan. He is an impressive and smarter than average goblin. So smart in fact he found his way to the center of the Goblin City and presented himself to the King of Goblins beseeching him for power. The great King admired the young Nik Nak's verve and granted him a token; a feather from his own cape. The feather became Nik Nak's warlock familiar and now Nik Nak serves as a warlock with the Faerie Pact to the Goblin King.
In battle, Nik Nak carries a bone rod and wears leather armor. He rides on a giant frog (named "Mrs. Black") he has made obedient. He wears the skull of a giant rat as a helmet. Though this is more to protect the feather he has braided into his long dreadlocks than his own skull.
Nik Nak is a goblin, but he is not a particularly evil one. He has learned that the threat of violence and terror of his power is usually more effective than actual violence.
Also, Nik Nak is perfectly happy to deal with adventurers in amicable terms as long as there is something in it for him or his Lord the Goblin King.
Usually found in the Goblin Wood outside the Haven Valley, Nik Nak can also be found wandering the Goblin Market where he trades wares, and insults, with other Bogelbos or in the town of West Haven where he deals with darker beings.
Despite racial enmity, Nik Nak has friendly if strained, relations with the Winterhaven gnome clan. This is mostly due to the legendary friendliness of the Winterhaven gnomes.
The Warlock for Swords & Wizardry will be out April 30, Walpurgis Night.
He is a sneaky little goblin, but smarter than most.
Nik Nak by Jacob Blackmon |
3rd Level Goblin Warlock (Bogelbo)
hp 11
S: 9
I: 13
W: 10
D: 12
Cn: 10
Ch: 14
Saves: +2 to saves against charm, hold, paralysis and sleep spells.
BtH: +0
AC: 7* (lesser if Armor of Shadows is invoked)
Alignment: Chaotic
Invocations
Arcane Blast, Agonizing Blast, Armor of Shadows
Spells
1st: Häxen Talons, Obedient Beast
2nd: Poisonous Stare
Nik Nak is a respected, and feared, member of his goblin clan. He is an impressive and smarter than average goblin. So smart in fact he found his way to the center of the Goblin City and presented himself to the King of Goblins beseeching him for power. The great King admired the young Nik Nak's verve and granted him a token; a feather from his own cape. The feather became Nik Nak's warlock familiar and now Nik Nak serves as a warlock with the Faerie Pact to the Goblin King.
In battle, Nik Nak carries a bone rod and wears leather armor. He rides on a giant frog (named "Mrs. Black") he has made obedient. He wears the skull of a giant rat as a helmet. Though this is more to protect the feather he has braided into his long dreadlocks than his own skull.
Nik Nak is a goblin, but he is not a particularly evil one. He has learned that the threat of violence and terror of his power is usually more effective than actual violence.
Also, Nik Nak is perfectly happy to deal with adventurers in amicable terms as long as there is something in it for him or his Lord the Goblin King.
Usually found in the Goblin Wood outside the Haven Valley, Nik Nak can also be found wandering the Goblin Market where he trades wares, and insults, with other Bogelbos or in the town of West Haven where he deals with darker beings.
Despite racial enmity, Nik Nak has friendly if strained, relations with the Winterhaven gnome clan. This is mostly due to the legendary friendliness of the Winterhaven gnomes.
The Warlock for Swords & Wizardry will be out April 30, Walpurgis Night.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)