Saturday, July 16, 2011

Zatannurday: Justice League Dark

I have not talked about the big DC Reboot coming up in September.
For the most part I am looking forward to it, but I am not happy about loosing Oracle.   But today is Saturday and that means we are talking about Zatanna.

Here is the cover for the new title Justice League Dark.


The title deals with all the DC magical heroes dealing with all things dark and dangerous.  So Zee, John, Madame Xanadu.  I am hoping to see some Raven there too.

Here is JLD #1.


Looks like they are going after Enchantress.  This should be fun.
More information is here, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League_Dark

This might be one of the first comics I buy on a regular basis. Hope it is good.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Mini D&D books

Yesterday some of you asked me about the mini-D&D books I had on my shelves.  They are really cool and I picked them about 10-12 years ago (it was before my kids were born I know that).

They were made by WotC and some Italian game company.
The info I have, from the box, is 21st Century Games, S.r.l. and they are located in Italy.  I cna't find anything about them. Every so often you see them on Ebay and generally not too expensive.

They are small and really hard to read, but I really like them.


The three boxed sets  I own.  There was a Dragonlance one and a Realms one, but I did not get those.  I think my FLGS still has the Realms one.



It is blury, but you can see the sets are complete, minus dice and the "Gateway to Adventure" catalog.


For an idea of scale here are my two Expert Sets.


And the expert books.


Even the backs are detailed.  Even though they were made by (or at least for) WotC, all the info is TSR.


The Greyhawk boxed set is the coolest since the maps are portable.


Here are the books I got.  I have heard there were more, but I have never been able to confirm that.


Compared to their "big brothers".

Anyone else have these?

Thursday, July 14, 2011

My collection is now complete!

So what is this I got in the mail today?  A box? Addressed to me?



What could be inside? Let's open it up!


It's an Original Edition Dungeons and Dragons!
What's inside that box?


All the LBBs and supplements.  I already had an Eldritch Wizardry, but this one is much better shape.  Actually all the books are in good shape.  Well the Blackmoor book has some black tape on it, but the LBBs are all in fantastic shape.


I even have the reference sheets.


Looks pretty good with my set of old-school Basic books.


and next to my favorite Original D&D "clone"


and on my shelf!

I am told this is the "5.5" edition.  6th Edition/Printing books in a 5th Edition box.  I am not sure about the other books, but I am not collecting this as a "purist" I have always wanted a copy of this.

I have the PDFs, one of the first set of PDFs I bought when WotC had them fore sale, but holding these books is a really a different thing all together.

Original D&D has the distinction of the only version of D&D I only played once.  Even then it was 1987 and I am sure my point of view was skewed from years of AD&D.  That all being said, OD&D is one of those games that time and experience has only improved to me.  The game is not for beginners really, which is kind of funny.  Reading it gives me better appreciation for the Basic sets of Holmes and Moldvay.

I am not sure if I'll ever play it.  Maybe one day when the kids are older I might pull it out.  I can run the old Wee Warriors Palace of the Vampire Queen "kit" with it.

I can't help but think who was the first owner of this game and where he got it.  I bought it from a private collector who was not the original owner.

So now my collection is complete.  Till I find something else I need to obsess about!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

New Witch Magic items, Protection items

In most games witches and wizards seriously lack anything like melee skills and protection.  This actually does not make much sense.  I see the logic in not allowing them to wear armor; there is the training needed to wear it properly and the interference with movements, but if you are going into a situation where arrows, claws and swords are all around you and often pointing at you then I think you would come up with some ways to better protect yourself.

Well the witches in my books typically do.  They create a variety of magic items that look like regular bits of clothing that can provide protection of one form or another. I have taken a lot of these from fairytales, legends and other places.

I am releasing these under the OGL, but they should be fine for any version of the "world's oldest fantasy role-playing game".  All content is open and is copyright 2011 Timothy S. Brannan.  Art copyrights are retained by their owners and are used here by permission (the broom) or public domain (hand of glory).

Broom of Protection: This broom appears to be an ordinary witch’s besom or other mundane broom. It’s magic is revealed when the witch uses it to sweep.
This broom provided protection as a Sanctuary spell when the witch sweeps a clockwise circle around herself and others. The effects last five rounds and may be repeated 3d6 times.

Broom of Protection, Threshold: This broom also appears as a normal broom. It’s magic is evident when placed across a door as a bar or propped up against a door to hold it closed. Once so placed the door cannot be opened save via magic. If placed across a threshold where there is no door then no one can pass through also save via magic or by making a save vs. Rods, Staves and Wands (or a Will save).


Charm Bracelet: This silver chain is worn on the wrist and has a number of metal charms attached. The number of charms, 1 to 4, indicates the level of protection the bracelet will provide. So 1 charm is +1 to AC and Saves, 2 charms are +2 to AC and Saves and so on.

Charm Bracelet, Luck: This silver chain appears to be a charm bracelet, but instead of providing protection directly it provides a +1 to any one roll. The number of times it can be used in a day is indicated by the number of charms, 1d6. The luck bonus must be announced before the roll is made. It may only provide a single +1 bonus per use.

Cingulum: This nine-foot long cord in often wrapped many times around the waist as a belt. Magical varieties confer +1 to +5 bonuses to AC. The material to make this cord maybe anything the witch has on hand (leather, hemp rope, cotton, silk) but the manufacture must be of high quality. The cingulum typically has a number of knots equal to its bonuses. The magic does not become active till it is wrapped around the waist and knotted.

Garters
Garters are bits of clothing, usually cloth or leather, but can be made of more exotic materials such as snake skin, used to hold up a pair of stockings or socks. Some garters are also worn without supporting any other item of clothing or on the arm. Only one garter may be worn per appendage.

Garter of Protection, Red: This garter is almost always red. It confers a natural armor protection of +1 to +5. Normally worn on the upper arm this garter is made of the finest leather available.

Garter, Snakeskin: This garter is made of the recently shed skin of a large snake (less than 24 hours old). The skin is treated and infused with the witch’s magic. The end product is a bright snakeskin garter that allows the wear to escape any bonds as if they had escape of the snake cast on them.

Hand of Glory: This was a right hand of a murderer that was severed while the corpse was still hanging from the gallows. This mummified human hand hangs by a leather cord around a character’s neck (taking up space as a magic necklace would). When the hand was ready, candles were fitted on it between the fingers. These were called the “dead man’s candles” were made from another murderer’s fat, with the wick being made from his hair. Another method of curing the severed and dried hand was to dip it in wax. After this process the fingers themselves could be lit. If a magic ring is placed on one of the fingers of the hand, the wearer benefits from the ring as if wearing it him or herself, and it does not count against the wearer’s two-ring limit. The hand can wear only one ring at a time.
Even without a ring, lighting the hand itself allows its wearer to use daylight and see invisibility each once per day.
The following phrase is spoken to invoke the hand:

“Let those who rest, more deeply sleep;
Let those awake their vigils keep.
Oh, Hand of Glory, shed thy light
And guide us to our spoil tonight.”


Mantel of Protection: This leather mantle can be worn over cloaks, coats or armor. It provides +1 protection to AC and a -1 bonus to saving throws.

Oil of Death Armor: This oil is rubbed onto the user’s body. Anyone touching the user with bare skin must save vs. Death or take 2d4 points of damage (save negates). This spell lasts a number of rounds equal to 2d6. Many Patrons could consider use of this potion evil.

Sky Clad Oil: This oil is rubbed on the body to protect the user from the elements while sky-clad (nude). The oil is only effective on bare skin. The user can survive temperatures of -60 degrees to +200 degrees Fahrenheit, but only when uncovered. Any part of her body covered by clothes will not receive the magical protection.
Any other class can use this oil, but witches are very secretive about its nature (reflected in the price). This oil can also be safely used with any other type of body potion or oil, in particular Flying Ointment.
The oil’s effects last 6 hours, typically midnight till dawn.

Talismans
Talismans are small items that can have any spell of third level or lower. The talisman can be made of paper, wood, clay or even metal. Often they are worn and kept till evoked. To evoke a talisman takes only an instant and the effects are instant. The command word or gesture to evoke the talisman is often inscribed on the talisman itself.
Unless otherwise noted a talisman can only be used once.

Hand of Fatima: A small brass talisman in the shape of a hand. Provides protection against any evil spell or spell like effect directed at the wearer, in particular the evil eye. These talismans may only be used once per day.

Isis’ Talisman of Protection: This talisman confers a +1 protection bonus to saves and AC. Effects last as per level of creator. This talisman is usually in the form of a fine crafted gold ahnk. These talismans may only be used once per day.

Talisman of Good Luck: This talisman is one of the most often found. This minor magic item provides +1 to any single roll. The talisman must be invoked before the action is taken (before the roll is made).
Typically luck talismans are in the form of a four-leaf clover, a rabbit’s foot, a horseshoe or a copper coin. Any other small item maybe use. The item is not consumed in the invocation, but it useless after the first use.

Talisman of Protection Against Conception: Even in historical times there were means of birth control practiced, this is one of the magical ones. Worn by tantric witches during their worship practices, witches during the rites of Beltane or any woman that wishes to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.
The talisman provides protection for one full lunar month (one moon phase to the next) then it becomes inert. This is if the talisman is used or not.
Mundane (non magical) pregnancies are completely blocked and magical ones (via a fertility spell) give a +1 to any saves.
Since they only last one month regardless of if it is used or not the materials are often not the highest quality. Also an owner can return to the witch to have the talisman “recharged” at the same price.
Note: A lot of these talismans are sold that are completely useless. Only the witch’s reputation, or the ability to detect magic, can one be sure. In places where witchcraft. is outlawed possession of these talismans is also considered a crime.


"Witch Protection Items", Copyright 2011 Timothy S. Brannan

DriveThru RPG July Codes

It is that time again.

Here are the products you can get from DriveThru RPG for 20% off.

DriveThruRPG.com

The coupon code to get 20% off all these products (or just some if you prefer) is CoolJulySave2011.

And for one lucky person you can get a free copy of Smallville.

The contest for that will be simple.  Tell me your favorite super hero and how you would like to play them in a "Smallville" like game.  If you need some hints/help then look over the DTRPG site reviews and my own coverage on Smallville.
The post does not need to be long, but it should tell me why you want to play that character.
I'll choose the winner on based on what you post here.  Make sure I have a way to email you.
Deadline is Midnight Central Time, Friday July 15.  I'll pick a winner on Friday.

Good luck!

Sunday, July 10, 2011

But....I am not done yet!

Very busy day.  Everyone has crashed early.  I am taking some time to sit down a look over the campaign material for the next few adventures comparing it with all the material I want to use and something dawned on me.

I am not quite ready to give up 3.x just yet.

Don't get me wrong, I love my 4e game and my Pathfinder playing helps fill some of that need.  But as a DM there is still so much ground to cover, so much I can still do.

Maybe it is just the lack of caffeine or just having a huge investment of 3.x books looking back at me.

I am sure I'll find something to do with it all.