Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Divinity Encounters: Venus

Beautiful and sensuous, Venus can bring great joy to the loving, but also pain to those who go too far.

Roll 1d12
1. The party encounters an outstandingly attractive woman (Charisma of 15 +1d4). She is (roll 1d6): [1] just walking by, [2] striking a pose, [3] looking for a ‘big, strong, (and fitting) hero’, [4] looking for new clothes, 
[5] bathing (in an appropriate place of course), [6] sleeping (25% chance of being nude). 
She turns out to be a (roll 1d8): 
   [1] normal, albeit gorgeous plebian woman
   [2] lupa (a ‘she-wolf’, lower-class prostitute)
   [3] meretrix (a high-class prostitute)
   [4-5] priestess of Venus 
   [6] normal, albeit gorgeous patrician woman
   [7] nympha (a Roman nymph- see Volume I)
   [8] Avatar of Venus

See Volume I to generate What is So Attractive about her (from the table of that name). There is also a 33% chance that she is accompanied by 1d3 cupids (per result #5 below).

2. The closest person in a random direction is struck by an invisible arrow and falls in love with the closest appropriate person in another random direction. Those present can save vs. spell to spot the cupid who fired it (see result #5 below). And those who love the one who has been given such a change of heart will likely grow jealous (a base 95% chance).

3. The party stumbles across a beautiful shrine to Venus. Along with it being a node (see Volume II), those there can ask the goddess to have an appropriate someone fall in love with them. There’s a 20% chance of her granting the request, along with a 45% chance of her causing the petitioner to undergo one of her divine tests. There’s also a 50% chance of 1d3 outstandingly attractive women being present (see result #1 above).

4.  With ample blood, a bull is being sacrificed in the name of Venus- a Taurobolium. Those walking by must save vs. breath weapon or get some on them, thereby reducing their Charisma by 1d4 until it they can be properly cleansed by someone in love.

5. Out of the corner of their eyes, party members who save vs. spell spot a winged boy fluttering by, armed with bow and arrow. A cupid, he may take interest in those ready for new love and shoot them with an arrow (see #2 above) a base 25% chance. Otherwise, he will flutter away unless implored by a faithful follower of Venus to provide more direct assistance. 
Mve: 80’ (fly); AC 3; HD 1+1; Attk: bow; Dmg: none*; SP: invisible to all who fail to save vs. spell, only harmed by spells and magic weapons, *his arrows cause those struck to save vs. spell or be stunned for 1d4 rounds and then fall in love with the next appropriate person they see; Sve: C9, Mor: 5

6. A strange, large plant is spotted up ahead. In addition to its breathtakingly beautiful flowers, it has the other breathtaking feature of grabbing any who get too close (a save vs. paralysis avoids) and crushing them to death. Once grabbed, the victim takes 2d6 damage per round until either fully consumed or freed. Even stranger, the plant is somehow sacred to Venus. 

7. The evening (or morning) star is spotted directly over a lupanar, a Roman brothel. See Volume II to generate what delights are inside- all (hopefully) appropriate for Venus!

8. Though he may not be a direct descendant of Aeneas, a Roman, male party member receives guidance from Venus in the form of two doves who will guide him to what he seeks. This boon lasts for the rest of the day and if no Romans are present, then the male party member with the highest Charisma will be selected instead.

9. 4d4 hares and 4d4 goats run about this place while 2d4 nude prostitutes dance and engage in mock gladiatorial combat. It is a Floralia- how would the followers of Venus react to such licentiousness? As the party decides, they are struck by 2d4 legumes in playful signs of virility.

10. Here, erotic frescoes and nude statues abound, along with marble tubs of hot water, soft beds, and intoxicating drink. All is designed to relax the body and enliven the senses, though Venus will insist that love and propriety be exhibited rather than lust and carnality (bestowing a divine test if it is not). As 1d3 outstandingly attractive women (see #1 above) arrive to enjoy the area too, any red-blooded males present must certainly resist doing the latter by saving vs. spell!

11. Upon a mountain top, an amazingly gorgeous woman is rumored to reside. Along with her eyes of diamond and radiance of light, she can incite great passion in mortals with just a look, though her 20 Charisma helps as well, driving them ‘bananas’. The cult of Venus would like see her actions curtailed though, for she emphasizes more impropriety than love. Worst yet, she claims to be an avatar of their goddess and has been influencing other faithful and even some Vestal Virgins to engage in repeated, carnal acts. Perhaps she’s actually an avatar of Aphrodite?

12. Beautiful and dignified, a statue of Venus is brought forth in practice of the Veneralia. It is washed and adorned with myrtle by none other than 1d4 outstandingly attractive women (per #1 above). Let us hope that any visitors keep their manners, since even though Venus has a base 25% chance of granting a +2 bonus for the next 24 hours to those who would do better in the affairs of the heart, she would frown on too many improprieties. What is more, 1d4 legionaries (see Volume II for stats) guard the procession, as well. Triple the number of attendants, guards, and chances of the blessing if it happens to be actual Veneralia day. 

DCC RPG Conversion notes

Charisma= Personality (or Comeliness: described in Volume I)
Save vs. spell= make a Will save DC 15
Save vs. paralysis= make a Reflex save DC 15

Cupides: Init: +12; Atk bow +4 ranged (none*); AC 16; HD 1d8+2; MV fly 70’; Act 1d20; SP invisible to all who fail to make a Will save DC 15, only harmed by spells and magic weapons, *his arrows cause those struck to make a Will save DC 15 or be stunned for 1d4 rounds and then fall in love with the next appropriate person they see; SV Fort +2, Ref +15, Will +9
 


Favonia Pudica, Sample 8th Level Priestess of Venus

Align: N
MV: 40’
AC: 9 (those who wish to harm her must save vs. death to do so)
HD: 8
Atk: 1
Dmg: None
SP: Venan mysteries*, turn ability, priestess abilities
Spells prepared: [1st] Cure Light Wounds (x2), Detect Evil, Remove Fear, Sanctuary, Allure* (x2), Charm Person* (x2)
[2nd] Augury, Bless, Hold Person, Reveal Charm
[3rd] Cure Disease, Prayer, Remove Curse, Suggestion*
[4th] Divination, Charm Monster*
SV: C8
Mor: 10

Possessions:  Holy symbol, 5 dresses, 12 pairs of footwear, various jewelry, perfume, and pendants, 108 extra gold pieces, one 1st level Legionary bodyguard


Favonia, DCC Stats

Init +4
Atk none
AC 10 (those who wish to harm her must make a Will save DC 10 to do so)
HD 8d8
MV 30’
Act 1d20 + 1d20
SP: Venan mysteries*, turn ability, priestess abilities
Spells known: [1st] Blessing, Detect Evil, Holy Sanctuary, Protection from Evil, Resist Cold or Heat, Second Sight, Charm Person*, Magic Shield
[2nd] Cure Paralysis, Neutralize Poison or Disease, Restore Vitality, Charming*, Levitate*, Monster Summoning* (nymphs or cupid only)
[3rd] Remove Curse, Consult Spirit* (fair maiden, fey, or nature), Dispel Magic*, Eternal Champion*
[4th] Sanctify, Venus Fire*
Fort +2
Ref +3
Will +6
AL N


Next week: Divinity Encounters, Vesta!