Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Wizards of Cronos, Part II

Tests (Cronos) 
Those who meddle with Time will have it eventually catch up with them. Use this table whenever a Cronos wizard rolls a 1 or 13 on a casting roll (if using that optional rule), rolls the same magical side-effect number twice in a row, or otherwise pushes the limits of paradox too far. Roll 1d8 the first time he experiences a test in a day, 1d10 the second time, and 1d12 for the third time or more. The die resets to 1d8 the following day- if the wizard still exists!

1. All of the wizard’s spells now take 1d4-1 additional rounds before their effects occur, waiting for the time to be right. This situation lasts until the Cronos wizard is tested once more and rolls this same result again. Further instances of this result will also toggle the effect on and off.

2. Are you living in a Golden Age? If so (per Hesiod), then the wizard experiences no adverse effect this time. If not, then any possessions on his person age to dust, helping him to better experience such a timeless, bucolic state.

3. The last spell that the wizard casts (or tried to cast) now has a special requirement. In order for him to cast it again, he must be (roll 1d8): [1] in a tavern lavatory, [2] on a cart or wagon traveling at least 11 miles per hour, [3] in a sauna or other hot tub of water (preferably drunk), [4] in a tall, blue box marked for watchmen use, [5] in a tall, clear box while acting foolish and saying ‘excellent!’, [6] on a very ornate metal chair, [7] in a room, pushing on the walls (dwarves may  help with this), [8] on the last ride home tonight. This situation lasts for the next 1d3 days.

4. The wizard gains an accurate glimpse of some future event, but will then immediately lose a random ally or loved one to (roll 1d4): [1] indifference, [2] death, [3] hatred alone, [4] hatred and wanting to kill him. Whether his prescience became a self-fulfilling prophecy, one need not be an oracle to divine that such knowledge might not be worth its price.

5. The sickle of Cronos reaps the wizard, causing him 2d4 damage for all the temporal paradox he has caused, along with having a 20% chance of chopping off something small and hanging of his. If he dies from this damage, then the wizard will actually cease to exist and likely cannot be brought back in any manner, nor may his scrotum!

6-7. Cronos’s son Kairos would like to know if this is an opportune moment or not. Roll any die. If the result is even, then the answer is yes and the wizard isn’t tested this time. If the result is odd, then the answer is no: reroll 1d12 on this table, but all effects are doubled, even multiplying x4, x8, etc. if this result is rerolled multiple times, likely making the moment very inopportune.

8. The wizard immediately ages 3d6 years (no save). Unless he is young and such a change would mature him faster, then he has a base 5% chance per year gained that he permanently loses some vitality, reflecting an increase in decrepitude (roll 1d6): [1] 1 Strength, [2] 1 Intelligence, [3] 1 Dexterity or Agility, 
[4] 1 Constitution or Stamina, [5] 1 Charisma or Personality, [6] 5’ speed.

9. All these distortions in Time can drive one mad just thinking about it! The wizard must save vs. death or go insane. If not, then whenever this test result occurs again, the save becomes 2 harder.

10. Swept forward, the wizard and anyone within 10’ of him travels into the future 1d12 (then roll 1d20): 
[1-5] rounds, [6-10] minutes, [11-14] hours, [15-17] days, [18-19] months, [20] years. He and any others are thereby taken out of play during that time- unless they find a way to return beforehand, though for them no time will seemed to have passed at all.

11. Thrown backward, the wizard and anyone within 10’ of him travels into the past 1d12 (then roll 1d20): [1-5] rounds, [6-10] minutes, [11-14] hours, [15-17] days, [18-19] months, [20] years. They may then decide to wait for the party, arriving soonafter, that much older, but unlike future travel, they may have caused some significant paradox by their presence there (a base 5% chance per result on the d20 roll). If such paradox does occur, it will require 1d4 additional rolls on this table when (and if) they return, along with creating an alternate reality (see Manannan in Volume II).

12. It appears that the wizard’s time has run out. He is devoured by Cronos and forced to relive the same day repeatedly as if stuck in some sort of temporal loop in the Strands of Time. Unless the Referee wishes to roleplay it, the wizard will eventually break the cycle, ending up being there for roughly 1d10,000 days from his perspective. Such an experience will allow him to bring some new mastery from that environment onward with him (since he had so much time to practice), gaining a +1d6 bonus to certain rolls, along with becoming considerably neurotic (from the strain of it), suffering the same amount as a penalty to an equal number of other rolls. And even though it will seem like no time has passed for everyone else, for the wizard, it will feel like he was trapped for eternity in a day that might never end.

DCC RPG Conversion notes:
Wizards who follow Cronos can use this table in lieu of rolling for corruption or misfire when they get a 1 on their spell check.
Save vs. death= make a Will save DC 10
Referee= Judge


Next week: wizards of Cronos, Part III!



Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Wizards of Cronos, Part I

Cronos
Neutral Greater Titan of the Golden Age, Reaping, & Time
Methods of Cronos
* Seek a return to the Golden Age
* Reap all that stands in your way
* Unravel the power of Time, but beware, else it unravels you

Wizards of Cronos
Special: Being a titan, Cronos is followed by wizards (see Time Magic, below).
Allowed Weapons: Sickle, scythe, harpe* (short sword that only does 1d5 damage, but chops off smaller, hanging body parts on an attack roll of natural 20)
Allowed Armor: None
Symbol: Sickle, Scythe, Harpe, Grain, Sundial
Can Turn: None
Time Magic: Cronos wizards are magic-users who automatically have access to and learn Cronos’s spells, even gaining a +1 bonus to all rolls for them. In return, they only have a 25% chance of being able to learn other magic-user spells, in addition to any other requirements, and suffer a -1 penalty to all rolls for those spells even if they do learn them.

Magical Side-Effects
The magic of Cronos is very potent and dangerous, revolving like hours on the clock. Roll 1d12, but be warned: getting the same Magical Side-Effect number twice in a row causes a temporal paradox, triggering a test (see next week’s article).

1. By Harpe: Something small and hanging must immediately be chopped off a person for the spell to work. If not, then the wizard takes 1d4 damage instead and even has a 10% chance of losing something small and hanging of his own!

2. Reaping’s Price: The scythe of Cronos passes through the wizard, causing him to save vs. death or immediately age 1d4 years. Depending on his current age, such additional aging may have a permanent, negative effect on him, ranging from increasing decrepitude to even death (per Referee).

3. The Weighs of Father Time: The wizard is temporally slowed, only being able to move at 1/2 his normal speed and take 1/2 his normal number of actions each round for the next 1d3 rounds.

4. Consuming One’s Progeny: A random item is taken from the wizard, either on his person or one held treasured. It quickly rusts away and corrodes back into Cronos’s belly, reverting the wizard to a simpler, Golden Age state.

5-8. Standard Casting: All that is needed is chanting and the use of strange components worth at least 1d6 gold pieces per spell level. Wizards typically have such materials on hand (a base 85% chance) of course, if they’ve had the time to assemble them.

9. To Better Days: A broken or damaged item of the wizard is miraculously repaired, shining brightly as a Golden Age gift.

10. The Ways of Father Time: The wizard is made temporally faster, being able to move at twice his normal speed and take double his normal number of actions per round for the next 1d3 rounds.

11. Reaping’s Prize: The scythe of Cronos passes through the wizard’s foes, causing all within 120’ to save vs. death or immediately age 1d4 years. As in result #2 above, such additional aging may have a permanent, negative effect on them, ranging from increasing decrepitude to even death (per Referee).

12. For Harpe: If something small and hanging is chopped off a person, then the spell works for triple effect in all regards. If not, then it functions normally this time.

DCC RPG Conversion notes:
Can turn= Unholy creatures
Magic-users= Wizards
Referee= Judge
Save vs. death= make a Will save DC 10

Additional notes:
Cronos is similar to Saturn and Janus, but the latter two are both Roman and thereby more ritualized and less personal. Saturn focuses on harvests and enjoying the Golden Age, while Janus is a god (and thereby served by clerics and priests) who also involves beginnings, gateways, and space (see article here). 


Next week: wizards of Cronos, Part II!


Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Priestesses of Aphrodite, Part III

Spells (Aphrodite)
Priestesses of Aphrodite have access to the following spells. Targets of their enchantments save at a -6 penalty if they would be sexually attracted to them.

LABYRINTH LORD
1st Level: Command (if it’s erotic), Create Water, Cure Light Wounds, Detect Magic, Remove Fear, Resist Cold, Sanctuary, Allure*, Charm Person*, Sleep*

2nd Level: Bless, Resist Fire, Reveal Charm, Snake Charm (on phalluses), Enlarge* (on sexual body parts), Amnesia*, ESP* (only hearing erotic thoughts), Levitate*

3rd Level: Cure Blindness, Cure Disease, Prayer, Remove Curse (reversible), Dispel Magic*, Suggestion*, Summon Monster* (nymph or siren)

4th Level: Cure Serious Wounds, Lower Water (reversible), Neutralize Poison, Charm Monster*, Flame Charm*, Tongues* (must be used romantically, of course)

5th Level: Commune, Cure Critical Wounds, Feeblemind*, Polymorph Other*

6th Level: Heal, Part Water, Power Nude Blind (as Power Word Blind*, but requires the priestess to be unclad)

7th Level: Regenerate, Restoration, Mass Charm*, Power Nude Kill (as Power Word Kill*, but requires the priestess to be unclad and bathing), Sympathy*


DCC RPG
1st Level (d8): Blessing, Detect Magic, Holy Sanctuary, Resist Cold or Heat, Word of Command (if it’s erotic), Charm Person*, Enlarge* (on sexual body parts), Sleep*

2nd Level (d10): Curse, Lotus Stare, Neutralize Poison or Disease, Restore Vitality, Snake Charm (on phalluses), Charming (as Strength*, but boosts Personality instead), ESP* (only hearing erotic thoughts), Forget*, Levitate*, Monster Summoning* (Nymphs or Sirens only)

3rd Level (d4): Remove Curse, Consult Spirit* (fair maiden, fey, or nature), Dispel Magic*, Water Breathing*

4th Level (d2): Sanctify, Polymorph* (others only)

5th Level (d2): Greater Sex Charm (as Charm Person*, but is cast with a +15 bonus if the target would be sexually attracted to the priestess), Mind Purge*


Siren
Align: C
MV: 40’ (swim 80’)
AC: 9*
HD: 3
Atk: None
Dmg: None
SP: +1 weapons or better required to hit, breathe water, charm person at will that draws men to them (save vs. spell negates)
SV: E3
Mor: 6

Appearing as very attractive, nude, bathing women, sirens are related to nymphs, but are more fey in nature. With their charm effect, they take joy in luring men to their doom, beckoning them ever closer into dangerous rocks and waters with seductive songs. Those few who are lucky enough to actually reach them in one piece are then whisked away by the siren to a pleasant Otherworld to live out their days in euphoric bliss, while those who don’t still die with foolish smiles upon their mouths.

DCC RPG stats:
Init: +3; Atk none; AC 10*; HD 3d8; MV 30’ (swim 60’); Act 1d20; SP +1 weapons or better required to hit, breathe water, charm person at will that draws men to them (Will save DC 15 negates); SV Fort +2, Ref +7, Will +4; AL C 


Avatar of Aphrodite
Align: C
MV: 40’
AC: 0, must save vs. spell to harm her through
HD: 16
Atk: none
Dmg: none
SP: Aphrodite cleric spells/abilities (caster level 22), must save vs. spell to attack her, constant Charm Person effect on those who would be sexually attracted to her, may exhibit Divine Test results 10-15: #5 &/or #6 (75% chance for each)
Magic Resistance: 75%
SV: E24
Mor: 6

Irresistible entities of immeasurable, womanly beauty, Aphrodite Avatars love to roam about in the nude, partaking of any and all pleasures they can find. Such indulgences will please many who cross her path, though others might be upset by such wantons displays of lust. Still, few can resist the constant charm effect from an Aphrodite Avatar’s supple, voluptuous form, with many having Attendants Erotes and/or Kallipygos Ends (from divine tests #10-15), making them even more heartrendingly passionate and difficult to resist. Last, they may bestow a boon upon those who pleasure them best, whether intentionally or not, typically bestowing beauty and/or lovemaking prowess.

DCC RPG stats:
Init: +9; Atk none; AC 20, must make a Will save DC 15 to harm her through; HD 16d6; MV 30’; Act 1d20; SP Aphrodite cleric spells/abilities (caster level 22), constant Charm Person effect on those who would be sexually attracted to her, may exhibit Divine Test results 10-15: #5 &/or #6 (75% chance for each); SV Fort +12, Ref +22, Will +12; AL C 


Aphrodite Encounters

1d4
1. The party encounters an outstandingly attractive woman. She is (roll 1d6): [1] walking by, [2] lounging, [3] looking for a ‘big, strong hero’, [4] looking to make a scene, [5] bathing, [6] sleeping (50% chance of being nude).

If interacted with, the woman turns out to be a (roll 1d10):
   [1] normal, albeit gorgeous peasant woman
   [2] porna (low-class prostitute)
   [3] hetaera (high-class prostitute
   [4] priestess of Aphrodite
   [5] noblewoman
   [6] witch
   [7] nymph (see Volume I)
   [8] enticing nature, fey, or fair maiden spirit (see Volume II)
   [9] siren
   [10] Avatar of Aphrodite

See Volume I to generate What is So Attractive about her (from the table of that name). In any case, the party’s reaction will make things turn out either pretty or not so pretty.

2. Someone slips an aphrodisiac into a random party member’s drink, compelling them to approach the next remotely appropriate individual they see. Unless already known, that individual will have a Charisma (or Personality or Comeliness) score of 1d20, so there’s a good 25% chance that they won’t regret it later.

3. A place of remarkable beauty is found. Along with it being a Node (see Volume II), those there can ask Aphrodite to have someone fall in love with them. There’s a base 10% chance of her granting the request, along with a base 75% chance of her causing the petitioner to undergo one of her divine tests.

4. Harkening to the sounds of soft moaning and sighs, the party comes upon a very striking entourage. As they enter deeper into the midst of the nude, pleasuring crowd of breathtaking women with ample bosoms and butter-supple loins (and their assistants), it will likely become increasingly harder for them to pull away (roll 1d10 or assign as needed):
   [1-2] 2d3 priestesses of Aphrodite
   [3] 2d4 male guardians (50% chance of being satyrs)
   [4] 3d4 nymphs (see Volume I)
   [5] 2d2 erotic spirits (fair maidens, fey, or nature spirits- see Volume II)
   [6-8] 4d4 hot, mortal women (75% chance of being faithful worshippers of Aphrodite, otherwise they will follow Venus, Freya, Ishtar, or even Unharmonia!)
   [9] 1d3 sirens
   [10] an Aphrodite Avatar (50% chance of riding a crimson shell)


Next week: some titanic power with wizards of Cronos, Part I!



Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Priestesses of Aphrodite, Part II

Divine Tests (Aphrodite)
Love can surely swell the heart as much as it can break it. It is up to the priestess to understand both sides as she rides the tides of beatific passion.

1-4. Fully opened now, the priestess experiences a -2d3 penalty to all her rolls unless she is engages in some kind of pleasurable activity. The penalty can be reduced by 1 for each partner that she lies with for at least 1d3 turns, allowing her to experience even more pleasure.

5-9. While the enchantment of her form remains irresistible, the priestess does lose access to some of her magic (50% chance for each spell) including possibly her turn ability. To get it back, she must do one of the following, though she would likely enjoy doing so anyway. Roll 1d4.
[1] Make passionate love to the next remotely appropriate individual she sees. The process takes at least 2d3 turns. Feel free to use the Victory in Love and War table in Volume III to determine any additional effects.
[2] Walk around completely nude for the next 2d3 hours. The priestess may not even hold or carry anything during this time, apart from her lovers’ caress, intoxicating scent, and passionate taste.
[3] Aid someone who is seeking love, regaining her lost magic when she achieves matchmaker’s success after they conjoin in steamy intercourse.
[4] Punish someone who has angered Aphrodite, whether for being too prude, comparing their beauty to hers, not giving proper thanks, having sex in a temple, or the like.

10-15. Some pleasurable; some terrible; all carnal, Aphrodite instills a greater test upon her faithful. Roll 1d6.
[1] Seed of Anchises: The next child the priestess bears will be partially divine (see Avatars: Gods Incarnate in Volume III for bonuses), though her magical powers are only at 50% strength until she does conceive one.
[2] Scent of Lemnos: The priestess stinks for a time and becomes sex-starved as a result for the next 1d3 days, only to slake her lust for at least half that duration again once it wears off. In any case, she suffers a -2 penalty to all her rolls as both aspects occur- due to many naked distractions- along with the other effects.
[3] Prayer of Pygmalion: Bringing new love into the world, the next female statue the priestess encounters comes alive as a moral woman. She will, in turn, be a faithful wife to the next man she sees and remain very shapely.
[4] Hubris of Hippolytus: The next prudish person, follower of Artemis, or horse rider the priestess spots will soon perish in a bizarre way, sometime in the next 3d4 hours. Evidence will point to Aphrodite as arranging the death and likely create some vendetta against the priestess from the slain one's allies.
[5] Attendants Erotes: Invisible, winged, erotic companions follow the priestess from now on, much as they do Great Aphrodite. All adult humans who first encounter her must save vs. death or become overwhelmed by feelings of lust. If this occurs, then they must quench those desires for the next 2d3 rounds at least, most likely begging for the priestess to assist them.
[6] Kallipygos End: Becoming even more beautiful now, the priestess gains +1 Charisma, but also will blind for 1d3 rounds those who see her nude or even kill those who see her bathing nude for the first time. A save vs. spell negates in the first case; a save vs. death negates in the latter. Akin to magical side-effects #9 and #11, this test is permanent, so later results of those side-effects will cause any saves to be made with a -5 penalty when they occur, especially if she is showing off her shapely hindquarters at the time.

16-17. Whether from lying with Ares or by losing Adonis, the priestess’s closest male companion departs. If mortal, he must save vs. death or die, otherwise he will simply no longer associate with her. If it’s unclear who that man would be, then pick the last one that she laid with. 

18+ To the fairest. Like with Paris, who the most beautiful is must now be judged. All women (including the priestess) within 1/4 mile are brought together to be judged by a random man within that area. He will then select the one who makes the best Charisma check, modified by any 'bribes' she may give him (wink-wink, nod-nod). If he doesn’t select the priestess, then she will be stripped of all her powers for 1 day per divine test total over 17 from the shame of it. On the other hand, if any followers of other goddesses aren’t selected, then they will experience the loss of power instead, plus there is a base 25% chance of earning that divinity’s ire (75% if a follower of Hera), likely leading to war.


DCC RPG Conversion notes:
Turn ability= Turn unholy ability
Save vs. death= make a Will save DC 10
Save vs. spell= make a Will save DC 15
Charisma= Personality (or Comeliness, if using that optional rule from Volume I)



Next week: priestesses of Aphrodite, Part III!