Character Creation Challenge: Day 21, Aviva Aamadu

 Today's character is another child of my two OSE characters, Asabalom and Maryah. Aviva is the oldest and named after a witch they both knew. Aviva's current quest is to find the witch she was named after. The first Aviva is bit of a legend in my games, more "cautionary tale" than actual character. She was another "good witch" who slipped into demonology and diabolical magic. In truth she only exsists as a name in a history I wrote about the Warduchess. This Aviva is good, and she is seeking out the other Aviva to discover what went wrong. She has been travelling the world ever since.

Woman Stock photos by Adam Zubek-Nizol - Vecteezy

She began life as the daughter of a druid (Asabalom) and a ranger (Maryah), and her magic is very much "Green Witch"-style, but as she progressed, she became more distinct from both a Green Witch and Pagan witchcraft. 

Looking for her namesake has taken a while. Mostly because I am not 100% sure who the first Aviva actually is myself! But until then, this Aviva will keep looking for her.

Aviva Aamadu
21st level Human Witch, Neutral Good

Secondary Skill: Herbalist

S: 10
I: 15
W: 17
D: 12
C: 12
Ch: 17

Paralysis/Poison: 5
Petrify/Polymorph: 5
Rod, Staff, or Wand: 6
Breath Weapon: 8
Spells: 7

AC: 6 (leather armor +3)
HP: 46
THAC0: 12

Weapon
Dagger +3 1d4/1d3

Familiar: Hawk "N'dege"

Occult Powers
1st level: Familiar
7th level: Speak to Plants & Animals
13th level: Pass without Trace
19th level: Immunity of the Fae

Spells
Cantrips: Spark, Chill, Mend
First level: Call Spirits of the Land, Cure Light Wounds, Glamour, Elf Arrow, Message, Sharp Ear, Witch's Watchman, Night Vision
Second level: Animal Messenger, Chameleon, Aqualung, Clear Eyes, Fumble, Raven Spy, Ward of Harm, Evil Eye
Third level: Fly, Hold Person, Ash Storm, Dance of Frog, Nondetection, Spit Venom
Fourth level: Confusion, Charm Monster, Dispel Magic, Moonstruck, Witch Laugh
Fifth level:  Hold Monster, Witch Jar, Call the Swarm, Teleport
Sixth level: Eye Bite, Horror, Claws of the Eldest Crone, Wall of Thorns
Seventh level: Breath of the Goddess, Dreadful Sleep, Creeping Doom
Eighth level: Frightful Aspect, Storm of Vengenance, Storm Bolts

Theme Song: Edge of Midnight (it's a younger witch singing a song with an older witch, like my two Avivas.)

I love the ideas of both of my Avivas and want to do more with them. I just need to figure out who the older Aviva was and what her importance was to Asabalom and Maryah. Enough to name their oldest child after her. AND what happened to the first Aviva?

This Aviva is (unknown to her) on the same journey that Phygor was on in my deep history. So right now, she is in line to become one of my more powerful witches. Not intentionally, but her own personal journey is taking her there all the same. For this I have been taking powers and spells for her from all my books.

Honestly. I find that more interesting than how many orcs she has killed or dungeons she has explored.

Character Creation Challenge: Day 20, Saileach and Teamhair

 Yesterday, I posted one of my archwitches, Feiya, based on the Pathfinder Iconic. Today, I want to compare and contrast an archwitch and a witch priestess, my two advanced classes. And who better than my favorite witch couple, Saileach and Teamhair?

Who are Saileach and Teamhair? Well they are, in a nutshell, my D&D versions of Willow and Tara, my two favorite characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Or more to the point, my two favorite WitchCraft RPG characters of the same name and general background. Saileach and Teamhair are rough Irish Gaelic versions of their names. Much as my WitchCraft RPG versions have evolved and changed from their root, so have Saileach and Teamhair evolved from my WitchCraft RPG versions.

I used these characters back in the 3e days and they were a lot of fun. They are not exactly Willow and Tara anymore than Bodhmal and Liath aren't. In my games, witches cannot be raised from the dead or resurrected. They can, and often do, get reincarnated. So Bodhmal and Liath are early Iron Age versions, Saileach and Teanhair are mediveal/D&D versions and then Willow and Tara are modern day. Yes, I also have Victorian Age ones in William and Tamara, but here they are incarnated as brother and sister, exploring a sibling bond rather than a romantic one. This often happens in lore about reincarnation. 
(Note: Because there is confusion in some other places. I don't believe in reincarnation any more than I believe in dragons or pixies. This is all for a game. I am, and remain, a staunch atheist.)

So who are these two? Well, in D&D 3e, they began life as a would-be wizard sent to a convent (Saileach/Willow) and a druid wild woman (Teamhair/Tara). This is many years later now and they are proper witches, but each also pursues witchcraft from their own lens. So the path of the archwitch for Saileach and the path of the witch priestess for Teamhair.

As with Branwen and Eria they are members of the Daughters of the Flame Coven. One might even call them THE members since a lot of the Daughters of the Flame evolved because of the characters of Saileach, Teamhair, Bodhmal, and Liath. These versions of Saileach and Teamhair would be in charge of the coven with Teamhair acting as High Priestess. 

Archwitch vs Witch Priestess

The archwitch and the witch priestess are both "Advanced Classes."  They are like the Hierophant Druid and the Thief-Acrobat of the Unearthed Arcana and the Wizards of High Sorcery from the Dragonlance Adventures hardcover. 

I am still debating the powers these classes should have. Originally, I thought the archwitch would stop gaining occult powers in favor of other powers and 9th-level spell casting. The witch priestess does not have 9th-level spell options from the cleric. I want these two advanced classes to be roughly equal in power. 

I think 9th level spells should be the domain of the Witch Queen. Makes sense. Both archewitch and witch priestess should get spells from the Arcane and Divine lists, respectively.

But I am still torn on the Occult Powers question. I think I'll try these two with the spells, but no occult powers past level 7; they can take a level 7 occult power according to their tradition. Both still get cantrips and bonus spells for high charisma. 

Saileach
20th level Human Archwitch, Lawful Neutral

Secondary Skill: Scribe

S: 10
I: 18
W: 15
D: 11 
C: 12
Ch: 18

Paralysis/Poison: 7
Petrify/Polymorph: 7  
Rod, Staff, or Wand: 8
Breath Weapon: 10
Spells: 9

AC: 1 (Bracers AC 1)
HP: 42
THAC0: 14

Weapon
Dagger +2, Undead slaying 1d4/1d3

Familiar: Wolf ("Cosantóir")

Occult Powers
1st level: Familiar
Archwitch Powers: Mastery of the Veil (gained at level 7), Arcane Communion (gained at level 9), Unbound by Circles (gained at level 11). 

Spells
Cantrips: Arcane Mark (Scribe), Daze, Clean, Palm, Spark
First level: Bad Luck, Blindness, Charm Person, Dowse, Far Sight, Read Languages, Light, Magic Missile*
Second level: Agony, Burning Gaze, Enthrall, Evil Eye, Identify, Levitate, Spell Missile, Produce Flame
Third level: Lightning Bolt*, Bestow Curse, Dispel Magic, Life Blood, Lethe's Curse, Toad Mind
Fourth level: Analyze Magic, Elemental Armor, Intangible Cloak of Shadows, Mirror Talk, Phantom Lacerations, Etheral Projection
Fifth level: Baleful Polymorph, Dreadful Bloodletting, Greater Command, Telekinesis
Sixth level: Anti-Magic Shell, Etheral Banishment, True Seeing, Legend Lore (Ritual)
Seventh level: Ball of Sunshine, Etheralness, Foresight
Eighth level: Astral Projection, Wail of the Banshee, Trap the Soul

Theme Song: On Your Shore

Full details below.

Teamhair
20th level Human Witch Priestess, Neutral Good

Secondary Skill: Intiate

S: 11
I: 16
W: 18
D: 12
C: 15
Ch: 18

Paralysis/Poison: 7
Petrify/Polymorph: 7 
Rod, Staff, or Wand: 8
Breath Weapon: 10
Spells: 9

AC: 1 (Bracers AC 1)
HP: 63
THAC0: 14

Weapon
Staff +2 (Striking) 1d6 + 1d6 per charge

Familiar: Cat ("Iontach")

Occult Powers
1st level: Familiar
Witch Priestess Powers: Healing Hands (gained at level 7), Invoke the Ancients (gained at level 9), Blessing of the Grove (gained at level 11). 

Spells
Cantrips: Spark, Flare, Cure Minor Wounds*, Open, Detect Poison
First level: Cure Light Wounds*, Bless Growth, Charm Person, Fey Sight, Light, Moon's Heart, Speak with Animals, Vertigo
Second level: Bewitch II, Candle of the Wise, Enthrall, Evil Eye, Hold Person, Locate Object, Magic Circle Against Spirits, Suggestion
Third level: Astral Sense, Dispel Magic, House Spirit, Magic Circle Against Undead, Speak with the Dead*
Fourth level: Cure Serious Wounds*, Cleanse, Undead Destruction, Drawing Down the Moon (Ritual), Divine Power, Spiritual Dagger
Fifth level:  Flame Strike*, Calm Weather, Dream, Telekinesis
Sixth level: Heal* True Seeing, Anchoring Rite, Refuge (Ritual)
Seventh level: Fire Storm*, Breath of the Goddess, Binding Ritual (Ritual)
Eighth level: Mystic Barrier, Wail of the Banshee, Protection of the Goddess (Ritual)

Theme Song: Exile

I dropped their level 13 and above Occult Powers in favor of their new class-based powers. I like the idea of dropping the occult powers in favor of 7th-, 9th-, and 11th-level powers. Saves the occult powers to be unique to the witch class proper. 

For spells, I originally opted for the Archwitch and Witch Priestess to take spells above 5th level, but now I think they should take any spells they have access to. So that is something I will change. I do need to better define which spells, Arcane and Divine, these classes have access to.  So far, the spells marked with an asterisk* are the spells for their chosen advanced classes, except for the * marked cantrips, and those come from their secondary skills.

There are also some spells here that are a direct result of my original playtests of these two characters: Lethe's Curse, Ball of Sunshine, Protection of the Goddess, and Anchoring Rite. 

Because Saileach and Teamhair are very much part of a coven, I gave them both Ritual spells.  They also have a few spells to fight undead to honor their source material. Also, the Daughters of the Flame abhor the undead. That goes back to a time before I was "the witch guy" and was "the vampire guy."

It should also not be a surprise that their theme songs come from Enya, and from the same album, no less. Though I have not found a good way to represent the Anamchara quality for them. Well, not yet. 

Character Creation Challenge: Day 19, Feiya

 I will admit it. I love Feiya. I "adopted" her once she was released for Pathfinder, and I brought her over to interact with my other witches. It has been great to see how she works (mechanically speaking) with my other witch types. I am not sure how she is in other people's games, but in mine, she has been wonderful. I'd be curious to hear if anyone else uses her. 

One of the great things about using her in my games is that she was one of my first play-test "Archwitches." 

The Archwitch began about this time last year. I got some notes, went to my stack of characters, and looked for one I hadn't already tagged as a potential witch priestess or witch queen. I got to Feiya and stopped. She just kinda fit the whole archwitch idea for me. 

But that is not all I have done with her. A couple of weeks ago, I began a Jackson, IL game with our Sunday group, and I used the Pathfinder iconics as first-level High School students. It is going much better than I ever expected. 

In any case, this is a great character.

I am still working out the finer details of the archwitch Advanced class. What I do know is they gain access to magic-user spells the base witch does not and I am fairly sure that they also loose access to some occult powers OR their selection becomes limited. Typically I associate Occult Powers with a Tradition and spell access with covens. I might codify that a little better in the future. 

The real question before me, though, is whether Archwitches should gain access to 9th-level Magic-user spells? I am inclined to say no, but have not decided.

Feiya
19th level Human Archwitch, Chaotic Good

Secondary Skill: Herbalist

S: 10
I: 17
W: 13
D: 14
C: 12
Ch: 18

Paralysis/Poison: 7
Petrify/Polymorph: 7  
Rod, Staff, or Wand: 8
Breath Weapon: 10
Spells: 9

AC: 4 (Robe of the Archwitch, Ring of Protection +1, Bracers of Protection +2)
HP: 39
THAC0: 14

Weapon
Staff of the Archwitch +2 1d6+2 (plus striking +1d4 per charge)

Familiar: Nine-tails Fox "Daji"

Occult Powers
1st level: Familiar
7th level: Speak to Plants & Animals
(13th level: Fae Shape (Hag))
(19th level: Curse)

Spells
Cantrips: Daze, Detect Curse, Object Reading, Sound
First level: Cause Fear, Charm Person, Chill Touch, Sickly, Mend Light Wounds, Shattering the Hourglass, Taunt*, Read Magic*
Second level: Agony, Evil Eye, Levitate, Rose Garden, Ghost Touch, Detect Evil*, Ray of Enfeeblement*
Third level: Bestow Curse, Bewitch III, Dispel Magic, Danse Macabre, Clairvoyance*, Monster Summoning I*
Fourth level: Animal Growth, Emotion, Withering Touch, Instant Karma, Confusion*
Fifth level:  Baleful Polymorph, Bull of Heaven, Eternal Charm Person, Animal Growth*
Sixth level: Eye Bite, True Seeing, Anti-Magic Shell*
Seventh level: Wave of Mutilation, Breath of the Goddess, Monster Summoning V*
Eighth level: Mystic Barrier, Seer Stone

Theme Song: A Forest (Feiya is absolutely a fan of The Cure.)

Again, I think this character is great. Spells marked with an asterisk* are ones from the Magic-user list chosen as an archwitch. Still working on finalizing the list of spells, but I like figuring them out in-game to see what works.

I also put her later Occult Powers in parentheses since I have not figured out what to do about them. If I use the Hierophant Druid as my model, then she should retain her powers. But if you use the Thief-Acrobat, then some abilities remain, but never get better in favor of new abilities. 

More testing is needed.

Character Creation Challenge: Day 18, Symgharyl Maruel and The Scaled Sisterhood

Photo by Tiểu Bảo Trương

One of the things I have been working on are new Witchcraft traditions. These are not necessarily ones tied to real-world witchcraft myths and legends, but ones that have sort of grown in my own writings and games. Among these are the expected High Order witchcraft tradition and the Draconic witch tradition. 

My oldest loves dragons. So it was inevitable that sooner or later, I was going to build a witch who has a dragon as a patron. I have been picking at the idea for a number of years, but never really sat down to define what they are. I have talked about Draconic warlocks, but these are different.

The Scaled Sisterhood

Daughters of the Coil, Speakers to the first Coil

The Scaled Sisterhood is one of the oldest witch traditions, possibly predating humanity itself. Its rites were whispered in the coiled tongues of ancient serpents and carved in scales of molten basalt. These witches revere the serpent as a sacred archetype, a symbol of creation and destruction, wisdom and hunger, immortality and renewal.

They see no conflict in paradox: the snake sheds its skin to live anew, the dragon brings ruin to fertilize the earth. Destruction and renewal as a continual cycle. Their tradition honors these truths. 

Witches of the Scaled Sisterhood are often feared for their intensity, strange tongues, and unsettling poise. But they are sought as oracles, poisoners, protectors, and keepers of long-forgotten power. 

The serpent is the first teacher, the dream-voice that teaches in silence. Witches of this tradition see time as a circle, death as transformation, and magic as the tongue of fire spoken before the gods learned speech.

Many Scaled witches dwell in ruins, hot springs, caves, volcanic mountains, or the overgrown remnants of pre-human temples. 

Symgharyl Maruel, The Shadowsil

I talked about Symgharyl Maruel, aka The Shadowsil, a while back as a potential witch in the Forgotten Realms.  Since one of my stated goals with my witch classes is to replicate any sort of witch, I figure I'll give her another try.

You see more about here from the ever-useful Forgotten Realms wiki and from Ed Greenwood himself.

Symgharyl Maruel represents the extreme end of what the Scaled Sisterhood would be. In fact, we have a name already for it: The Cult of the Dragon. 

Symgharyl Maruel
18th level Human Witch, Neutral Evil

Secondary Skill: Cultist

S: 9
I: 15
W: 15
D: 16
C: 14
Ch: 18

Paralysis/Poison: 7
Petrify/Polymorph: 7 
Rod, Staff, or Wand: 8
Breath Weapon: 10
Spells: 9

AC:  2 (leather armor +2, Ring of Protection +2, Dex 16 -2)
HP: 63
THAC0: 14

Weapon
Dagger +1 1d4/1d3

Familiar: pseudo dragon

Occult Powers
1st level: Familiar
7th level: Evil's Touch
13th level: Minor Hex

Spells
Cantrips: Alarm Ward, Chill, Daze, Ghost Sound, Inflict Minor Wounds, Spark
First level: Black Fire, Cause Fear, Charm Person, Endure Elements, Ghostly Slashing, Light/Darkness, Minor Fighting Prowess, Sonic Blast
Second level: Discord, Enthrall, Ghost Touch, Hold Person, Invisibility, Phantasmal Spirit, Spell Missile
Third level: Bestow Curse, Dispel Magic, Feral Spirit, Lifeblood, Toad Mind, Witch Wail
Fourth level: Analyze Magic, Elemental Armor (Fire), Intangible Cloak of Shadows, Phantom Lacerations, Withering Touch
Fifth level:  Blade Dance, Dreadful Bloodletting, Waves of Fatigue
Sixth level: Death Blade, Mass Agony, True Seeing
Seventh level: Death Aura, Greater Arcane Eye, Wave of Mutilation
Eighth level: Destroy Life, Mystic Barrier

Theme Song: Ever Dream

She compares well to her Basic-era version and her official AD&D 2nd Ed version. I guess the question I need to answer is this, "Is Symgharyl Maruel really a witch?" My go-to answer is always "why not!" but she really does feel like a witch to me. Either way, she is great, and in my games, she is still alive and still getting up to all sorts of trouble. 

I just need to figure out why she would go to Elminster and then later Manshoon for instruction. Maybe it is not that big of a deal, really. I don't need to hammer her into a "witch-shaped" gap. 

Character Creation Challenge: Day 17, Aeronwy

 What if one of my normally good witches turned evil? That is the question I asked when I sat down to work on this witch. She isn't one of my witches turned evil, she is built new from the ground up, but it is an interesting thought experiment. I am also revisiting my Complete Netbook of Witches & Warlocks book and revising my warlock ideas. 

As it turns out, I really have three different warlocks. 

• Complete Netbook of Witches & Warlocks
• Eldritch Witchery for Spellcraft & Swordplay
• Warlock for Swords & Wizardry
• Warlock for Basic-era Games (very similar to S&W)

They are all similar but not identical. Today I am going to look into the CNoW&W warlock since it is the most different than the others and it is also the most similar to the witch class.

So a witch-like warlock. Evil. Fits into my world. That is the recipe for today's witch. I am interested in how this witch works, so I am not giving her cantrips.

Aeronwy is, for the most part, Rhiannon, the one I got from Grenda's collection of characters.  The characters of Eria, Rhiannon, and Aeronwy all represent the same character as she progresses from good pagan to evil malefic witch. I have taken some liberties with the posted versions over the years, but they all represent, if not the same character, the same sort of character. 

• Rhiannon, Level 1
• Eria, Level 3
• Rhiannon, Grenda's original
• Rhiannon, Basic era Level 8
• Rhiannon, Malefic Witch Priestess, Level 8

It's not a clean progression to be sure. And I "cheated" by combining a couple of similar characters named Rhiannon here. But the idea is compelling. A good pagan girl turning to evil devil worship. Sounds fun!

Aeronwy
17th level Human Warlock (Malefic), Lawful Evil

S: 12
I: 16
W: 16
D: 13
C: 13
Ch: 16

Paralysis/Poison: 7
Petrify/Polymorph: 7
Rod, Staff, or Wand: 8
Breath Weapon: 10
Spells: 9

AC:  (Leather AC 8 +2)
HP: 34
THAC0: 14

Weapon
Dagger +1 1d4/1d3

Occult Powers
1st level: Healing Herbs
6th level: Supernatural Protection
9th level: Word of Fear
12th level: Necromantic Protection
15th level: Fiend Summoning
18th level: Astral Travel

Base chance of discovery: 58%
Can't tread on holy or consecrated ground. Double damage from cold wrought steel/iron.

Spells
First level: Bleeding Touch, Beguile I, Blood Strike, Foretell, Lesser Banishing Rite, Pain, Wich Light
Second level: Air Blast, Aura Reading, Dance Tantra, Glamour, Minor Hex, Pain Armor, Summon Undead
Third level: Astral Sense, Aura Manipulation, Charm Undead, Kiss of Slavery, Lesser Strengthing Rite, Witch Writing
Fourth level: Broom, Card Reading, Hate, Middle Banishing Rite, Spiritual Dagger, Witch Bottle
Fifth level: Blade Dance, Bull of Hell, Escape of the Snake, Minor Rite of Enchantment, Rite of Mental Resistance
Sixth level: Anchoring Rite, Greater Banishing Rite, Pentagram of Protection, Wave of Mutilation
Seventh level: Demon Trap, Widershins Dance

Theme Songs: Everybody Scream

My old witch and warlock had a lot more Occult Powers, but fewer spells.Both in choice and in use. I think the balance I struck in the Basic-era witches is better. 

This is not 100% the Aeronwy I have been playing since Halloween. But she is really close. To give you an idea of what she has become, the Halestorm song "Vicious" was almost her theme song. I put her through hell (and Hell), and she comes back even angrier and more powerful. She is great, and I think she is going to be one of those characters that really leaves a mark on my games. 

Red Sonja for Daggerheart

 I am still enjoying Daggerheart, but I haven't had much of a chance to play lately. Star Wars has been taking a lot of our time. No need for minis when you still have Kenner Star Wars figures!

This past week, we saw the limited release of the new Red Sonja movie, which, by all accounts, is not bad. Better than the 1985 movie (not a high bar, of course). Too bad it did not get a better release. Have to wait for an on-demand or digital release. I am also reading Gail Simone's "Red Sonja: Consumed." I wanted to follow up with some Red Sonja after reading so much of Howard's original work, and I wasn't all that interested in reading the Conan or Kull pastiches. There were a couple of newer Kane books (from different authors) that looked fun. And since anything done is worth doing in excess, I grabbed the latest Humble Bundle of Dynamite's Red Sonja comic run.

Appendix N Note: Although Red Sonja is not listed in Appendix N, Gary was aware of the character from Marvel's 1973-1986 run. That is prime "Golden Age" D&D time. She gets honorable inclusion, I think.

I like Red Sonja. Ok. I like her a lot. She might be one of the reasons so many of my characters have red hair. Ok, her and Batgirl. I loved her run in Marvel comics. I do think we get a slightly more sophisticated character under Dynamite, but all the Sonjas are great in my mind. One of the stories I read last night, "Red Sonja: Altered States," dealt with her spirit reappearing in modern New York. Fun idea really. Got me thinking maybe the "red goddess Scáthach" is really just Sonja herself helping her reincarnations throughout time and space. Anyway, there is something I am planning to have some fun with later on, but for now I think I want to see what she would be like in Daggerheart.

Sonja the Red for Daggerheart

There are a lot of "fighter"-like classes for Daggerheart and lots of things she could be. While there is the "barbarian" idea from Conan, I always felt Sonja was a bit different. In AD&D terms, she would be a fighter. A good fighter, but not a ranger (though that is what she is in Pathfinder: Worldscape) and certainly not a paladin. 

In Daggerheart classes are made up of two Domains. Given her moniker of "She-Devil with a Sword" I feel that one of those domains needs to be "Blade." This gives me two choices, Warrior (Blade and Bone) and Guardian (Blade and Valor). For this, I have to go with Warrior.  After that the rest fell into place rather quickly.

Red Sonja of Hyrkania

Level 5
Class & Subclass: Warrior (Call of the Slayer)
Ancestry & Heritage: Wanderborne Human
Pronouns: She/Her

Agility: 3
Strength: 2
Finesse: 0
Instinct: 1
Presence: -1
Knowledge: 0

Evasion: 12
Armor: 4 

HP: 7
Minor Damage: 14 Major Damage: 22
Stress: 6

Hope: 2

Weapons: Greatsword, Strength Melee, 3d10+8 Physical
Hallowed Axe, Strength Melee, 3d8+6 Magical

Armor: Leather 6/13 +3

Experience
No Man Can Defeat Me +2
I Will Avenge my Clan +2
Gold! Drink! Adventure! +2 (can find adventure, or trouble)
I have been to lots of places +2 (picking up tidbits of knowledge and language)

Class Features
No Mercy, Call of the Slayer, Weapon Specialist, Get Back Up, Untouchable, I See It Coming, Reckless, Fortified Armor, Vitality x2

This was a fast and easy build. 

Her features (the class cards) fit her well, to be honest. Given Daggerheart's narrative structure, fitting these to her backstory is easy. And given her backstory has changed over the years, well, this all still works.

I have seen Red Sonja in New York, in Victorian London, in Pathfinder, and even in Riverdale. Maybe this is Red Sonja in Iriandor. Why she is there, though, is an excellent question. She is never a tourist; there is a reason. I am going to blame the Wizard Thorne.

I am not sure what that reason is just yet.

Links to my other Red Sonja builds

• Old-School Essentials, with Thorne
• Army of Darkness
• Spellcraft & Swordplay
• Mutants and Masterminds 3rd Edition
• Barbarians of Lemuria
• Astonishing Swordsmen & Sorcerers of Hyperborea
• Leagues of Adventure (Ubiquity)

I could certainly do more, to be honest.

Witchcraft Wednesday: The (Second) Return of Rhiannon and Briana Highstar

 I was doing some cleaning in my office yesterday. Partially cleaning, partially avoiding work, but also gathering up everything I had been working on for the last few years (spoiler, it has been 5 years of solid work and 12 total of "picking at it") for this new project I playing around with. I have been thinking I need some good examples of an Archwitch and a Witch Priestess. When in a stack of characters, I found my versions of Grenda's, witches Briana Highstar and Rhiannon. 

They are both featured in my new The Left Hand Path - The Diabolic & Demonic Witchcraft Traditions, as "Basic-era" Witches of the Diabolic and Malefic traditions, respectively. Both are listed as 8th-level Witches. But I was thinking, what if I "advanced" them? And by that, I mean move them over to Advanced D&D and have them take my new Advanced classes. I mentioned a while back that they did not know each other, but in my AD&D game, I am thinking they met up and decided to form a coven. 

While covens are typically made up of the same traditions, they don't have to be. I have even talked about a "Grand Coven" that includes witches, warlocks, and other members. This marks the beginning of their Grand Coven, dedicated to evil. Since I have already decided that they are in my Forgotten Realms game there is no reason why they can't meet up with my other witches Moria and Amaranth. Though neither of them are exactly evil, they are different kinds of "hellspawn."

This will give me more chances to pleytest these new classes. I think one change I am making, if these Advanced Classes are taken after 7th level, the witch still gets their 6th level Occult Power.  It didn't dawn on my until last night while working up their new sheets that an Advanced class is a good way to bring a "Basic" character over to AD&D. For example, with this idea I could make a Paladin or Ranger an Advanced class, starting off as a fighter first. I'll have to play around with this idea. 

In the meantime, here are Briana Highstar and Rhiannon again, with their new classes in place.

Briana Highstar
Human Female

Archwitch 8th level
Diabolic Tradition
Patron: Mephistopheles
Alignment: Lawful Evil

STR: 12 
INT: 17 
WIS: 15
DEX: 16
CON: 13
CHA: 17

Paralyze/Poison: 11
Petrification/Polymorph: 11
Rod, Staff, or Wands: 12
Breath Weapon: 14
Spells: 13

AC: 5 (Leather +2)
HP: 24
To Hit AC 0: 18

Weapon: Whip
Armor: Leather +2

Occult Powers
Familiar: Cat 
Minor: Evil's Touch

Spells
First Level: Burning Hands, Charm Person, Far Sight, Sonic Blast, Spirit Dart
Second Level: Burning Gaze, ESP, Grasp of the Endless War, Invisibility, Suggestion
Third Level: Bestow Curse, Dispel Magic, Scry
Fourth Level: Arcane Eye, Divination, Phantom Lacerations

Hair: Black
Eyes: Grey
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 136 lbs

Languages: Common, LE, Elvish, Goblin, Diabolic, Abyssal, Giant, Orc

Rhiannon
Human Female

Witch Priestess 8th Level
Malefic Tradition (Previously Craft of the Wise)
Patron: Ereshkigal
Alignment: Neutral Evil

STR: 11
INT: 17 
WIS: 17
DEX: 16
CON: 15
CHA: 16

Paralyze/Poison: 11
Petrification/Polymorph: 11
Rod, Staff, or Wands: 12
Breath Weapon: 14
Spells: 13

AC: 5
HP: 32
To Hit AC 0: 18

Weapon: Dagger of Venom
Armor: Leather

Occult Powers
Familiar: Mourning Dove
Minor: Impure Touch

Spells
First Level: Blight Growth, Charm Person, Chill of Death, Sleep, Touch of Suggestion
Second Level: Agony, Beastform, Disfiguring Touch, Evil Eye, Protective Penumbra
Third Level: Bestow Curse, Bleed for Your Master, Scry
Fourth Level: Fangs of the Strix, Spirtual Dagger 

Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Brown
Height: 5'1"
Weight: 114 lbs

--

OGL Section 15: COPYRIGHT NOTICE

Character Clip Art & Color Customizing Studio Copyright 2002, Elmore Productions, Inc.; Authors Larry Elmore and Ken Whitman, Art and illustrations by Larry Elmore.

--

So obviously Rhiannon forms this coven and become the high priestess of it. Briana provides the "great work" they all must do. What is that? No idea yet. 

I would love to include Amaranth in this, but I tend to refer to her as a "cotton candy Tiefling" that is she is light, fluffy and sweet. At least that is how I have presented her in The Witch - Book of Shadows for ShadowDark. Still, the prospect of her joining this coven is a fun one. Maybe something happens to make her choose to embrace her evil side? I wonder what it will be?

I also need to figure out what sort of Grand Coven would have both Ereshkigal and Mephistopheles (and maybe even Lilith) as patrons? The intersection of these two (three), witchcraft mythology-wise is Astaroth (by way of Sumeria to Astarte), which I do like as an option. And their coven needs a name. I have wanted to use Astaroth more. Maybe I can bring in Babylon into this too!

Larina Nix for d20 Dark•Matter / Urban Arcana

 I was talking to my oldest about my desire to maybe, just maybr running a d20 Dark•Matter game sometime. He laughed at me. I asked him why and he asked if I remembered what a a pain in the ass d20 Modern was at higher levels. Characters having at least three classes, feats all over the place, a recording nightmare. He was right, but undaunted I jumped in. I figure I'd create a few characters. I have three characters from my WitchCraft game that I'd love to get back too. Then there were two others from a Cinematic Unisystem game set in Chicago, brother and sister private eyes, that I always thought migth be fun to revist. 

Yeah. That didn't work out really.

Now, to be fair, I am really, really out of practice building a d20 Modern Character, but damn I don't remember it being like this. In the end, I only did one (sorry, Scott and Heather) from my WitchCraft game. 

While I set out to try to do a fairly straightforward translation of the Alternity material to d20, that also didn't work out really. So in the end I did a "spiritual translation" of Larina's Alternity Dark•Matter version to d20.  They started out the same, but they drifted a bit apart.

I also could not find Scott's and Heather's sheets from my 1999 WitchCraft game, so at this point, I'd be basing them on their D&D alter egos, which may or may not be the best. Heather is a half-elf in D&D after all. I did find Eric MacAlister, Larina's ex-husband. But in truth, I never really did anything else with the guy after the 1999 game. She always worried that he would come after her, and he had kind of forgotten her. Plus, he was unable to fly post Sept. 11, 2001, due to all the restrictions. 

So here is my witch. She took a long time to build here, and I am not 100% sure I got her correct.

Larina "Nix" Nichols

Human Charismatic Hero 5 / Mystic 7

Strength 8 (-1)
Dexterity 12 (+1)
Constitution 12 (+1)
Intelligence 17 (+3)
Wisdom 17 (+3)
Charisma 19 (+4)

Hit Points 66

Speed 30ft.

Defense 17, touch 17, flat 16

Init +1

Fort +9
Ref +8
Will +10

BaB/Grap +5 / +5
Melee/Ranged +5 / +6

AP 115 (lifetime)
Rep +7

Academic (starting occupation) University Librarian
Decipher Script
Knowledge (arcane lore)

Feats
Alertness
Attentive
Creative
Endurance
Educated (+2 on two knowledge skills)
Meticulous
Iron Will
Simple Weapon Proficiency [free]
Trustworthy
Toughness x1
Wild Talent (Psionic, Far Hand [TK])

Talents
Coordinate
Inspiration
Great Inspiration

Skills

Skill Name	Key Ability	Skill Modifier	Ability Modifier	Ranks	Misc. Modifier
Balance	Dex*	1 =	+1
Bluff	Cha	12 =	+4	+8
Climb	Str*	-1 =	-1
Computer Use	Int	6 =	+3	+3
Concentration	Con	9 =	+1	+8
Craft (Structural)	Int	3 =	+3
Craft (Visual Art)	Int	3 =	+3
Craft (Writing)	Int	3 =	+3
Decipher Script	Int	13 =	+3	+10
Diplomacy	Cha	16 =	+4	+6	+2 [bluff] +2 [Knowledge, history] +2 [trustworthy]
Disguise	Cha	6 =	+4	+2
Drive	Dex*	1 =	+1
Escape Artist	Dex*	1 =	+1
Forgery	Int	5 =	+3		+2 [meticulous]
Gamble	Wis	3 =	+3
Gather Information	Cha	6 =	+4		+2 [trustworthy]
Hide	Dex*	1 =	+1
Intimidate	Cha	6 =	+4		+2 [bluff]
Jump	Str*	-1 =	-1
Knowledge (arcane lore)	Int	19 =	+3	+14	+1 [Academic] +1
Knowledge (behavioral sciences)	Int	9 =	+3	+6
Knowledge (current events)	Int	7 =	+3	+4
Knowledge (earth & life sciences)	Int	7 =	+3	+4
Knowledge (history)	Int	8 =	+3	+5
Knowledge (popular culture)	Int	5 =	+3	+2
Knowledge (theology)	Int	12 =	+3	+8	+1
Listen	Wis	9 =	+3	+4	+2 [alertness]
Move Silently	Dex*	1 =	+1
Navigate	Int	3 =	+3
Perform (Act)	Cha	4 =	+4
Perform (Dance)	Cha	4 =	+4
Perform (Keyboards)	Cha	6 =	+4	+2
Perform (Percussion)	Cha	4 =	+4
Perform (Sing)	Cha	8 =	+4	+4
Perform (Standup)	Cha	4 =	+4
Perform (String Inst.)	Cha	4 =	+4
Perform (Wind Inst.)	Cha	8 =	+4	+4
Research	Int	10 =	+3	+7
Ride	Dex	1 =	+1
Search	Int	5 =	+3		+2 [meticulous]
Sense Motive	Wis	5 =	+3		+2 [attentive]
Spellcraft	Int	15 =	+3	+10	+2 [Knowledge, arcane]
Spot	Wis	5 =	+3		+2 [alertness]
Survival	Wis	3 =	+3
Swim	Str**	-1 =	-1
Treat Injury	Wis	3 =	+3

Spells

0-Level
Detect Magical Aura, Haywire, Light, Mending, Read Magic

1st-Level
Bane, Cause Fear, Comprehend Languages, Instant Identify, Sanctuary, Trace Purge

2nd-Level
Augury, Darkness, Daylight, Hold Person, Shatter

3rd-Level
Bestow Curse, Dispel Magic, Magic Circle, Secret Pocket

4th-Level
Divination, Greater Magic Weapon, Via Negativa

Incantations
Bibliolalia, Cast into Shadow, Dedicate Site, Mystic Veil, Quartz Compulsion

Equipment

Knife [1d4, crit 19-20, range inc 10ft., 1lb., one-handed, piercing]
Taser [1d4 special, crit --, range 2ft., 3lb., electricity]
First Aid Kit [Treat Injury DC 15, one use, negates normal -4 to Treat Injury checks, 3lb.]
Vampire Slayer Kit [Mossberg, 5 wood stakes, 5 phos. shls, silver holy symbols, hand xbow, 5 wood bolts, metal mirror, garlic necklace, alum. case, 20lb.]
Business Clothing [3lb.]
Casual Clothing [2lb.]
Overcoat [3lb.]
Digital Camera [connects to computer, 0.5lb.]
Notebook Computer [5lb.]
PDA [connects with computer, 0.5lb.] Portable Occult Library
Total Weight Carried: 41lb. (medium load)

2005 Volkswagen Beetle (Purple) ARCANIX Illinois License Plates.

Larina Nichols

Human Female
Alignment: Independent (Agent of A.R.T.E.M.I.S.)
DoB: 10/25/1969 (36 in 2006)
Place of Birth: Carbondale, IL
Current Residence: Chicago, IL

Hair: Red
Eyes: Blue
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 127 lbs

Handiness: Right* (can write with Left hand, with difficulty)

Aliases: Larina MacAlister, Larina Nix, "Nixie."

So. This is a good build, I can't say I am 100% happy with it. There is so much customization you can do with d20 that the combinations and permutations are practically endless. 

I both miss and hate, at the same time, d20's multiclassing. I love how flexible it is and how you can combine all sorts of classes to get the exact character you want. But it is also tedious. I mean I could have gone down the path of Occultist, or Acolyte, or even going into the various Prestige classes. There is so much choice. 

I showed this to my son when he got off work Wednesday night/Thursday morning. He just laughed and reminded me yet again why we tend to play 5e, AD&D 1st ed and Basic D&D instead.

This exercise has also reminded me that I wanted to do a lot more with A.R.T.E.M.I.S. as well. 

Witchcraft Wednesday: Deborah "Elf Star" and Mistress Frost for the Left Hand Path Witch

 Last week I re-introduced two NPC Witches from my Left Hand Path Witch & Warlock book; Rhiannon and Briana Highstar.  Today I want to feature two more. Warlocks I think many of you already know. Deborah "Elf Star" and Mistress Frost.

Deborah “Elf Star”

"I used the Mind Bondage spell on my father!"

Warlock Level 8
Patron: Akelarre
Alignment: Chaos (Chaotic Evil)

STR: 10 +0
INT: 13 +1
WIS: 14 +1
DEX: 15 +2
CON: 15 +2
CHA: 16 +2 (+10% XP)

Death/Poison: 11
Petrification/Polymorph: 11
Rod, Staff, Wands, or Device: 12
Breath Weapon: 14
Spells: 13
Single Save: 13

AC: 7
HP: 30
To Hit AC 0: 18 (Descending AC)
To Hit Bonus: +2 (Ascending AC)

Weapon: Dagger
Armor: None

Invocations

Arcane Blast, Beast Speech, Bewitching Whispers, Eldritch Sight, Sign of Ill Omen

Spells

First Level: Allure, Charm Person, Hypnotism
Second Level: Blur, Dark Whispers, Mind Obscure
Third Level: Dark Omen, Fly
Fourth Level: Mind Bondage

Deborah was a young student of Mistress Frost’s school. Frost saw potential in Deborah above and beyond her classmates. She introduced Deborah, now renamed Elf Star, to her Warlock lodge, where they honored the Demon Lord Akelarre.

Akelarre has rewarded Elf Star with power, particularly power over others in the form of charms and mind control. 

Elf Star plans to grow in power and control all the people who wronged her in her young life.

Mistress Frost

"Don't be stupid, Debbie!"

Warlock Level 18
Patron: Akelarre
Alignment: Chaos (Chaotic Evil)

STR: 11 +0

INT: 16 +2

WIS: 14 +2

DEX: 15 +2

CON: 15 +2

CHA: 18 +3 (+10% XP)

Death/Poison: 11

Petrification/Polymorph: 11

Rod, Staff, Wands, or Device: 12

Breath Weapon: 14

Spells: 13

Single Save: 13

AC: 7

HP: 30

To Hit AC 0: 18 (Descending AC)

To Hit Bonus: +2 (Ascending AC)

Weapon: Dagger

Armor: None

Invocations

Arcane Blast, Beast Speech, Bewitching Whispers, Eldritch Sight, Eye of Algol, Minion of Chaos, Sign of Ill Omen, Threefold Curse, Unholy Regeneration

Spells

First Level: Allure, Charm Person, Command, Hypnotism, Make Poppet, Vigor

Second Level: Agony, Cackle, Cause Light Wounds, Dark Whispers, Mind Obscure

Third Level: Aura Sight, Cauldron of Rage, Chaotic Mind, Dark Omen, Undetectable Lie

Fourth Level: Abjure, Cause Serious Wounds, Mind Bondage, Witch's Cradle
Fifth Level: Break Enchantment, Enslave, Mind Fog, Steal Youth

Mistress Frost is in charge of recruiting new members to the worship of the Demon Lord Akelarre. To secure Deborah's involvement and attachment to the cult she had already sacrificed her friend Black Leaf to ensure Deborah had no other attachments. 

Mistress Frost's ultimate plan is to give Elf Star to Akelarre as a bride to secure even more power for herself. 

--

I am not sure old Jack would approve, but I like them!

Coming next week, Walpurgis Night.

*OGL Section 15: COPYRIGHT NOTICE

Character Clip Art & Color Customizing Studio Copyright 2002, Elmore Productions, Inc.; Authors Larry Elmore and Ken Whitman, Art and illustrations by Larry Elmore.

Witchcraft Wednesday: The "Return" of Rhiannon and Briana Highstar

 A special Witchcraft Wednesday today. But really, aren't they all special in their own way?

Working on the final layout of my Left Hand Path book AND prepping my Weekly Forgotten Realms games with my oldest; I figure I'd do them both in one posting today.

All my Basic-era witch books have similar features. The Witch and/or Warlock classes, new Traditions, new spells, new monsters, new magic items, and new NPCs to drop into your games. I was thinking about the NPCs I have now ready to go; Babylon, Debbie "Elf Star", and her coven leader, Ms. Frost. 

But I needed one or two more. While playing last week, I figured I would start to introduce some of Grenda's NPCs to my Forgotten Realms game. That thought led right to Briana, and then that lead right to including her in the Left Hand Path book since she was already a witch of Mephistopheles. She just didn't fit, she belongs in this book. If I am going to include Briana, I might as well include Rhiannon as well.

I am using AD&D 1st Ed stats for them in my games, but will include their Diabolic Witch Basic-era Stats in my book.

So, here they are. Briana Highstar and Rhiannon. I am not sure how they interact with each other (even if they will) but I am going to have a good time finding out. 

Briana Highstar
Human Female

Witch Level 4
Diabolic Tradition
Patron: Mephistopheles
Alignment: Chaos (Lawful Evil)

STR: 12 +0
INT: 15 +1
WIS: 17 +2
DEX: 16 +2
CON: 13 +1
CHA: 17 +2 (+10% XP)

Death/Poison: 13
Petrification/Polymorph: 13
Rod, Staff, Wands, or Device: 14
Breath Weapon: 16
Spells: 15
Single Save: 15

AC: 7
HP: 19
To Hit AC 0: 20 (Descending AC)
To Hit Bonus: +0 (Ascending AC)

Weapon: Dagger
Armor: None

Occult Powers
Familiar: Cat 

Spells
First Level: Charm Person, Spirit Dart
Second Level: Burning Gaze, Grasp of the Endless War

Hair: Black
Eyes: Grey
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 136 lbs

Rhiannon
Human Female

Witch Level 8
Malefic Tradition
Patron: Ereshkigal
Alignment: Chaos (Neutral Evil)

STR: 11 +0
INT: 17 +2
WIS: 17 +2
DEX: 16 +2
CON: 15 +2
CHA: 16 +2 (+10% XP)

Death/Poison: 11
Petrification/Polymorph: 11
Rod, Staff, Wands, or Device: 12
Breath Weapon: 14
Spells: 13
Single Save: 13

AC: 5
HP: 36
To Hit AC 0: 18 (Descending AC)
To Hit Bonus: +2 (Ascending AC)

Weapon: Dagger of Venom
Armor: Leather

Occult Powers
Familiar: Mourning Dove
Minor: Impure Touch

Spells
First Level: Charm Person, Chill of Death, Touch of Suggestion
Second Level: Beastform, Disfiguring Touch, Protective Penumbra
Third Level: Bestow Curse, Bleed for Your Master
Fourth Level: Fangs of the Strix

Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Brown
Height: 5'1"
Weight: 114 lbs

--

I am happy with these two. I am looking forward to seeing how they progress in the adventures and their life in my Left Hand Path Book.

I don't know yet if these two know each other. But I do know that Rhiannon knows Larina. They began in the same coven, but they went their separate ways. Rhiannon will be my excuse to do an "evil Larina" which will be kinda fun, really.

OGL Section 15: COPYRIGHT NOTICE

Character Clip Art & Color Customizing Studio Copyright 2002, Elmore Productions, Inc.; Authors Larry Elmore and Ken Whitman, Art and illustrations by Larry Elmore.

More Forgotten Realms: Introducing Moria Zami

 I have been out of town for a few days; it was my Father-in-law's 90th birthday. But right before we left, my oldest son and I were talking about our AD&D 2nd Ed Forgotten Realms game that he is running for me. He is having fun, but what he REALLY wants is to play. And AD&D 1st Ed at that. Yeah, he got a taste at Gary Con, and now he really wants to play AD&D more. Plus, we are both a little fed up with Wizards of the Coast, especially with their recent antics. 

Since we are both huge fans of Baldur's Gate 3, we wanted to add in some things from the video game. We have more connection to that than, say, Drizzt or Elminster. Trouble is, BG3 takes place in DR 1492, and we want our 1st ed game to take place in DR 1357, a year before the Time of Troubles. While in my 2nd ed game, I have a minor connection with Arnell Hallowleaf, but I also wanted something for this game. We are assuming that while my characters are exploring the Sword Coast, his characters will be exploring the Sea of Fallen Stars. This opens up a lot to us. But there are more than 130 years between our games and the events in BG3. So, there are not a lot of characters that are around for both times. Even Jaheira would only be about 10 years old at this point. Maybe they can rescue her and her family at some point. Set her on her path to become a Harper.

As it turns out, I have wanted to explore some of the past of the Cambion, Mizora. She is a rather entertaining character in her own right and deserves some further development. She is the servant of Zariel, but the trouble is there was no Zariel in AD&D 1st ed. Well, we are already ret-conning some details, and truthfully, I was never a fan of Tiamat as the ruler of Avernus. I might use Bel, the former ruler. I'll check Descent into Avernus for ideas later on.  But for now, I need to figure out who Mizora is, and more to the point, who is she in AD&D 1st Ed.

In BG3/5e she is a sorcerer, but this is AD&D, so I am going to make her a magic-user. I am also going to say she spent a lot of time in Avernus prior to BG3, so this is the time before that. 

I am not sure how long cambions live. I do think her mother was human, maybe even a witch. Now that would be fun.

---

A few hours later...

Ok, change of plans, sort of.

I AM sticking with Mizora, but not the Mizora he (and everyone) else knows. I am going with Mizora as a teenager. She knows there is something different about her, but she doesn't yet know what.

Moria Zami ("I am Mizora") is just a 16-year-old witch caught in the same pirate raid on the Sea of Fallen Stars that grabbed the characters. She is going to stay with them for a while. Until something bad happens. This also gives me the chance to try out some new things for my Left Hand Path book and something new I am starting later this summer.

Moria Zami
Witch 1st Level (Diabolic Tradition)
Lawful Neutral

S: 14            
I: 14             
W: 12           
D: 15           
C: 16           
Ch: 20

Paralyzation/Poison: 13
Petrification/Polymorph: 13
Rod, Staff, Wand: 14
Breath Weapon: 16
Spells: 15

HP: 5 (d4)
AC: 10
Weapon: Dagger

Occult Powers
Familiar: Dog "Mephisto Fleas"

Spells
First Level: Back Fire, Fey Sight, Sleep

So far, she is a good girl, but that is going to change.

Character Creation Challenge 2025

 A few days late to report this, I completed TARDIS Captain's 2025 Character Creation Challenge with 40+ characters. I am mentioning it today because last night, I finally got all of Grenda's characters added to protective sleeves and put into a three-ring binder.

No idea how many this is, upwards of 250 characters. Most have multiple sheets. The binder itself can hold close to 1000 pages. The characters are predominantly AD&D 1st Edition with an odd GURPS, AD&D 2nd Edition, and D&D Basic Edition character here or there. 

If I ever need an NPC, I'll have one, or a score, ready to go.

It was a bittersweet exercise and I admit I really pushed the limit on the spirit of the Challenge. Not exactly new characters, all the same system. But I was really happy to do this. These characters were important once upon a time, and I wanted to make sure that, if just for a month, they were important again. 

31 Day Character Creation Challenge

Follow Timothy's board 31 Day Character Creation Challenge on Pinterest.

Character Creation Challenge by Aurora Stark

Looking forward to next year, though I don't know what I'll be doing yet.