Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Divinity Encounters: Danu

Happy Spring Equinox! We present for your reading pleasure: encounters of Danu, Celtic Neutral Great Mother of Nature, Rivers, Fertility, & Tribe. 

Roll 1d12
1. Two great mounds rise in the distance. Sacred to Danu, they are quite wide and rounded, even producing thick, sweet, and nutritious calcium waters from springs at the top. They are aptly known as the Buxom Hills.

2. A milkmaid lumbers forth from her duties, sweating lightly in the warm air. Despite her appearance, she is actually (roll 1d8): [1-2] only a milkmaid, [3] a nature spirit, [4] a noblewoman lending a hand, [5-6] a druidess of Danu, [7] a priestess of Danu, [8] an Avatar of Danu. Whoever she is, the encounter will likely be massive.

3. The party comes across a great pile of stones. Inside, this cairn holds (roll 1d4): [1] 1d4 wights, [2] 1d3 fomorian trolls, [3] remains of 1d4 honored ancestors, [4] a portal to a Fey Realm. In the first two cases, followers of Danu would want the cairn purged; in the last two, it should be honored.

4. A priestess of Danu, clad only in golden brocade, is mounted alongside a druidess of Epona, bedecked in Lady Godiva style, naturally. Who would wish to ride with them first?

5. Up ahead, a large and hirsute man is bearing a bag. He is a firbolg: not nearly as bad as a fomorian, but no less a foe of Danu’s clan!  Mve: 50’; AC 5; HD 6; Attk: 1 bag; Dmg: 2d6; SP: those hit by bag must save vs. death or become stuck inside- only 1 victim may be so affected at a time; Sve: F6, Mor: 7

6. A priestess of Danu (who is lactating, comely, and somewhat deranged) attempts to snatch a random party member, forcing them to drink. If successful, it causes the one so nursed to (roll 1d6); [1] be healed of any ailments, [2] sleep for 1 hour, [3] be charmed by the priestess for 3 hours, [4] become drunk (-1d6 to all rolls) for the next 2 hours, [5] just have a strange taste left in their mouth, [6] reroll twice. A save vs. breast (breath) weapon avoids her grab and a save vs. spell avoids the effect of the drinking.

7.  Fey dance around a moonlit grove at night, led by a druidess of Danu. Those passing by must save vs. spell to resist the enchanting music they play. Those who join are then given (roll 1d4): [1] a time they’ll never forget, [2] a new fey spouse, [3] a random, beneficial spell from Danu’s list, [4] a new form- that of a bird for 2d6 hours.

8. A group of 2d4 particularly noisy fomorians have set up in a cave nearby. The locals have tried to endure their caterwauling at all hours, but a priestess of Danu wishes to enlist the party to silence them for good.

9. Like Danu’s namesake, the river flows. All women within 1/4 mile begin to do so too, wishing to bathe, and all men will wish to join with them for the next 1d6 hours. A save vs. spell negates, but the faithful of Danu may choose to automatically resist it, though they likely won’t want to.

10. Noble Celts of high heritage listen to the finest harp and flute music while drinking expensive wine. They are saddened though, for they (roll 1d4): [1] are facing a dire fomorian threat, [2] lost many of their warriors in battle, [3] had one of their women run off with a firbolg, [4] have insulted the Fae. Only some intervention of Danu (via the party of course) will set things right, bringing them home to the river green.

11. Rumor has it that a half-fomor child has been born to a woman, potentially corrupting the clan. What to do with it? The local druidess of Danu suggests (roll 1d3): [1] it be left in the wilderness for the Gods to decide, [2] it should be given to the fomorians to live with them, [3] the mother and the child should be given to the fomorians. Will the party help?

12. The sun and moon align, bringing a taste of Spring Equinox to the area. All encounters as far as the eye can see become river encounters (see Volume II for a list) as the result of rising waters, double if it is the actual Spring Equinox day. In any case, such large tracts of land will be so affected for the next 24 hours.


DCC RPG Conversion notes
Save vs. breast/breath weapon= make a Reflex save DC 15
Save vs. spell= make a Will save DC 15
Save vs. death= make a Will save DC 10

Firbolg: Init: +3; Atk bag +9 (2d6+3); AC 14; HD 6d10; MV 40’; Act 1d20; SP: those hit by bag must make a Will save DC 10 or become stuck inside- only 1 victim may be so affected at a time; SV Fort +8, Ref +0, Will +3


Landraste, Sample 4th Level Priestess of Danu
Align: N
MV: 40’
AC: 8
HD: 4
Atk: 1
Dmg: none
SP: Danu turn ability, mysteries, priestess bonus spell
Spells prepared: [1st] Cure Light Wounds (x2). Sanctuary, Animal CompanionD
[2nd] Hold Person, Charm Person or MammalD, Obscuring MistD
SV: C4
Mor: 8

Possessions:  nothing at all!

Landraste, DCC Stats
Init +4
Atk none
AC 11
HD 4d8
MV 30’
Act 1d20
SP: Danu turn ability, mysteries, priestess bonus spell
Spells known: [1st] Blessing, Detect Evil, Food of the Gods, Resist Cold or Heat, Second Sight, Plant Walk
[2nd] Cure Paralysis, Nature Charm, Warhorn of Elfland*, Charm Person*
Fort +3
Ref +4
Will +5
AL N


Next week: Divinity Encounters, Dis Pater!