Minotaurs, Part I

 

Large, ruminant-headed monstrosities (often with that of a bull), minotaurs can be associated with various divinities and cults. Herein is described the likely qualities of such associations, the disposition of the monster, as well as the origin of its presence.

Associated Divinity/Cult (d20)
1-6. Poseidon (Greek/Achaean): bull head, bestial arms & torso, human legs & feet or bull legs & hooves. Bloodthirsty, lustful, or territorial disposition.
7-10. Potnia (Minoan): bull head, human arms & torso or bestial arms & torso, human legs & feet. Affirming dominance, guardian, lustful, or bloodthirsty disposition.
11. Fufluns (Etruscan- neutral version of Dionysus): bull head, human arms & torso, human legs & feet. Contemplative, guardian, or territorial  disposition.
12-13. Pan (Greek/Arcadian): goat head (Aegipan), human or bestial arms & torso, goat legs & hooves. Lustful, drunken, territorial, or mad disposition.
14-15. Artemis (Greek/Dianic): stag head (Actaeon), human arms & torso, human legs & feet or stag legs & hooves. Affirming dominance, guardian, territorial, or lustful disposition.
16-17. Cernunnos (Celtic): stag head, bestial arms & torso, human legs & feet or stag legs & hooves. Contemplative, guardian, territorial, drunken, bloodthirsty, or lustful disposition.
18. Utu or Tiamat (Mesopotamian): bull head (Kusarikku), bestial arms & torso, 50% chance of bull hooves instead of hands or claws, bull legs & hooves or centauroid body. Contemplative or guardian (if associated with Utu); bloodthirsty or mad (if associated with Tiamat).
19. Osiris or Ra (Egyptian- via Banebdjedet/ Heryshaf/ Khnum): ram head, human or bestial arms & torso, human legs & feet. Contemplative, lustful, or mad (if associated with Osiris); affirming dominance, contemplative, or guardian (if associated with Ra).
20. Baphomet or Unharmonia (Demon Lords): bull, goat, stag, or ram head; human or bestial arms & torso; human legs & feet or bull, goat, stag, or ram legs & hooves or even centauroid body. Affirming dominance, bloodthirsty, or territorial disposition (if associated with Baphomet); affirming dominance, guardian, or lustful (if associated with Unharmonia).

(Listed physical qualities will be described next week.) 

 

Minotaur's Disposition (d8)

1. Affirming Dominance: acts to violently subjugate any who fail to submit to their divinity (or demon lord) immediately, especially those who would subjugate normal animals of their head type (thus goat-headed minotaurs would herd shepherds, stag-headed minotaurs would stalk hunters, etc.).
2. Bloodthirsty: seeks only to kill and then gorge upon the gruesome remains. +2 to hit and damage, -4 AC penalty, and must save vs. death to resist feasting on fallen foes even if others are nearby.
3. Contemplative: wishes mainly to mate and graze, though will also offer insight once every 1d6 hours to those seeking to solve labyrinths (physical or mental); only violent if provoked.

4. Drunken: wanders in a stuporous haze, violently seeks more drink. -1d6 to all rolls involving coordination; immune to fear.
5. Guardian: ruthlessly protects an area from interlopers, tolerates those aligned with the divinity.
6. Lustful: works aggressively to mate- those who resist are forced.
7. Mad: acts in a random fashion- reroll on this table once and every 3 rounds thereafter.
8. Territorial: challenges those who are in the area (likely some sort of labyrinths), attacking those who don't flee in time.

Origin of Minotaur's Presence (d6)

1. Native: born of some abominable pairing (in the tradition of Pasiphae), it now dwells here.
2. Divine Curse: was once a man who then angered the Gods.

3. Test: as some divine test, a cleric (or the like) has been turned into one for a limited time.
4. Summoned: called upon by a cleric (or the like) who has used a sacrifice based upon the minotaur's disposition to encourage it to remain here.

5. Totemic Item: grasping or wearing such a fetish makes one become a minotaur; that is, until it is taken from the sorcerer.

6. Unholy Mask: one has donned a mask and became a monster forevermore, though he likely had monstrous aggression in him beforehand.

Summoning Minotaurs

Clerics (and other spellcasters) of divinities and cults listed above can add the spell Summon Minotaur to their spell list. Treat it as Summon Monster, except that only 1 minotaur may be summoned per day, its HD (usually 6)  determining the appropriate Summon Monster spell's level. It takes 1d6 rounds to arrive and then the spell's duration begins- when the cleric can actually give the monster commands to follow. Once the spell's duration ends, the minotaur will act according to its disposition (if it still lives, either remaining or leaving the area) unless the cleric successfully casts another Summon Minotaur spell to control it once more. 

 

In any case, providing the minotaur with an offering (or sacrifice) that fits its disposition can increase the spell's duration by 50 to 100% (per Referee), as a promised reward given after the commanded deed is done. So offering a drunken minotaur a keg of wine can entice it to stay longer to obey the cleric's will, just as leaving the area can draw in a territorial one.

 

 

Next week: Minotaurs, Part II!

 

 

 

Noitas of Louhi, Part V

 

Louhi Encounters
Within the dark lands of Pohjola, many dangers lurk. Though such incidents are covered in Lemminkainen's and other Finnish divinities' encounters, the following three tables can be used to generate a great variety of such fell folk & beast. Thus, beware of hideous, arrogant, maniacal Pohjolan hounds that are immune to injury (but must stop to eat any food provided) and taunting old women who are flaming, poisonous, good at dueling, and very large!

 

Nature/ Personality (d12) - roll 1d4 times

1. Taunting

2. Inhospitable

3. Noisy

4. Aggressive

5. Blood-licking

6. Hideous

7. Vicious

8. Maniacal

9. Arrogant

10. Cruel

11. Scheming

12. Particularly hostile to Finns (or the like)

 

Type (d12) - roll once

1. Maiden

2. Babe

3. Old Woman

4. Swordsman

5. Host (male or female)

6. Hound

7. Wolf

8. Bear

9. Reptile (lizard or serpent)

10. Elk

11. Fearsome Bird

12. Horse

 

Abilities (d10) - roll 1d4 times

1. Charming: those who see them must save vs. death or be able to resist them

2. Prevents rest: those within their presence must save vs. spell or be unable to sleep or otherwise recover

3. Good at dueling: +3 to hit and AC is 3 better when in melee

4. Immune to injury, but must stop to eat any food provided

5. Poisonous: those bitten must save vs. poison or fall unconscious for 3d6 rounds

6. Very large: +4 HD (25% chance of having 100 eyes too)

7. Flaming: those who come within 3' take 2d6 fire damage per round

8. Uncatchable: those attempting to hold them must save vs. death or be unable to

9. Scary-faced: those who first see them must save vs. death or suffer a -2 to all rolls for the next 3d6 rounds

10. Noita abilities: level 1d8, 85% chance of also being a follower of Louhi

 

 

DCC Conversion Notes

Save vs. death= make a Will save DC 10

Save vs, spell= make a Will save DC 15

Save vs. poison= make a Fortitude save DC 15

 

 

Next week: we begin a new series, Men and Monsters for Divinities and Cults, beginning with the minotaur!

 

 

 

Noitas of Louhi, Part IV

 Spells (Louhi)
Cold, dark northerly magic abounds, cast on foes with the teeth of Pohjola's hounds.

1st Level: Command, Create Water (cold), Cure Light Wounds (reversible), Detect Finns (as Detect Evil, but detects Finns and other western human types), Detect Magic, Light (reversed, hiding the sun and moon...), Remove Fear (reversed), Resist Cold, Dancing Lights*, Shield*, Shocking Grasp*, Sleep*, Unseen Servant*, Ventriloquism*

2nd Level: Augury, Bless, Hold Person, Know Alignment, Reveal Charm, Dog Charm (as Snake Chamr, but works on canines), Speak with Animal (canines and bears), Spiritual Weapon, Obscuring Mist (D), Amnesia*, Arcane Lock*, Darkness Globe*, False Gold*, False Trap*, Fell Missile (as Magic Missile*, but missiles are invisible), Knock*, Levitate*, Magic Mouth*, Ray of Enfeeblement*, Scare*, Stinking Cloud*

3rd Level: Animal Growth (canines and bears), Cure Blindness (reverse), Cure Disease (reverse), Dispel Magic, Feign Death, Locate Object (especially one stolen from her!), Remove Curse (reverse), Striking, Clairaudience*, Clairvoyance*, Infravision*, Protection from Normal Missiles*

4th Level: Cure Serious Wounds (reversible), Detect Lie, Divination, Lower Water (by freezing it), Hallucinatory Terrain (D), Temperature Control (D- colder only), Arcane Eye*, Charm Monster*, Confusion*, Enchant Arms*, Fear*, Glover of Invulnerability (lesser), Ice Storm*, Polymorph Self* (any winged monster form), Wall of Fire*, Wall of Ice*

5th Level: Cure Critical Wounds (reversible), Flame Strike (appears as cold darkness), Quest, Control Winds (D), Cloudkill*, Cone of Cold* (dark), Faithful Hound*, Feeblemind*, Hold Monster*

6th Level: Conjure Animals (canines or bears), Part Water (by freezing it), Control Weather (D- to make it worse), Arcane Window*, Freezing Sphere*, Globe of Invulnerability*, Guards and Wards* (doglike), Repulsion*

7th Level: Gate (to a demonic realm), Unholy Word (affecting Finns),Wind Walk, Arrow of Death (as Finger of Death, D, but requires an arrow hit), Control Weather (Greater, D- to make it worse), Summon Demon*

 

Next week: Noitas of Louhi, Part V! 

 

 

 

Noitas of Louhi, Part III

Pohjola demands dark deeds to harm those that they claim to have harmed them.

Divine Tests
1-9. Show those uppity lighter-types a thing or two! The noita must bring about some woe upon a Finn, preferably a Finnish man, though if such are unavailable, other types of western humans will do. Until then, Louhi will bar the noita from using some of her spells (50% chance for each one), possibly including her turn ability. Roll 1d10 for each one lost to see what must be done to reclaim it.
[1] Cajole the next one she meets, demonstrating the hospitality of Pohjola.
[2] Find and harass one at their home or place of work, refusing them rest .
[3] Arrange a beating, though the noita will need some minions to make sure the victim is outnumbered so that it's especially demeaning.
[4] Offer one something of beauty in return for performing some task, and then refuse them it even when accomplished.
[5] Give them one of the 9 diseases- any of the noita's magical side-effects would do nicely.
[6] Take one's possessions, excusing the theft with the claim that they were probably already stolen anyway.
[7] Get 2d4 minions to defile and despoil an undefended place or symbol held sacred by them, all in the name of 'justice'.
[8] Subvert one of their votes or officials, so as to turn things in favor of Pohjola. If unclear, an emissary of Tuoni (Louhi's father and the Finnish equivalent of Nergal- the latter detailed in Volume III) will arrive to help show the noita what to do.
[9] Put their name on a list, allowing other Pohjolans to know where to best attack them.
[10] Have a dangerous beast, preferably a hound or a bear, greet one as a guest for dinner.

10-16. How better to serve the Hostess of Pohjola than to become more like her? The noita becomes uglier; blacker in heart, soul, and visage, making her unable to help another (even a Pohjolan ally) 25% of the time, increasing by 25% more for each additional instance that she experiences this test. Unfortunately, she also gains another unnatural ability too (roll 1d4):
[1] +2 to all saves, [2] +1 to all rolls for one random spell she knows, [3] may cause fear (as the spell) once per day, though the save is 4 easier than usual, [4] can sense the presence of Finns (or the like) within 60'- all the better to harm them

17+ Louhi grabs the sun and moon (or performs some similar apocalyptic act), causing great calamity in a 1-mile radius. All within that area must save vs. death or experience a random misfortune of her side-effects. The noita is affected differently though: she must save to resist losing her most treasured item, as Louhi lost the Sampo. And for every divine test result over 17, the affected area increases by an additional mile. The noita would naturally wish this to occur in Finnish lands, though the presence of any devout followers of Vainamoinen would make the save 4 easier for all who would resist such disease and 4 harder for her to resist losing her item.



DCC RPG Conversion Notes
Turn ability= Turn Unholy ability
Save vs. death= make a Will save DC 10 




Next week: noitas of Louhi, Part IV!

 

 

Noitas of Louhi, Part II

Magical Side-Effects
The cold, dark north births great calamity. So too does the magic of Louhi, for not only may her noitas need meet some requirement, but those so targeted by her spells will often experience additional misfortune. Such side-effects can be resisted (by saving vs. death), but then any beneficial aspects of the spell will also be halved. In any case, roll a d12 and a d10 to determine what occurs. 

REQUIREMENT (d12)
1-2. Blind Daughter of Tuoni: The noita loses her ability to see for the next 3d4 rounds.

3-4. Cold-Cast: The spell must be cast in an area of 40 degrees or lower. If not, then it will occur once such an area is reached.

5-6. Dark Ways: Fitting for one who's black in heart and soul and visage, all within 120' becomes dark for the next 2d6 rounds, making it hard for all without special ability to see. 

7-8. Usual Magic: The magic casts normally, though the spell's target may still suffer misfortune, maintaining most of its nastiness.

9-10.  Impregnation of the East Wind: If the noita anoints her sacred members in order to actually give birth to the spell (a process taking an extra 3d6 rounds), then her labors may be lightened and its effect, range, or duration can be doubled. 

11-12. Pohjolan Magic: The magic works for twice its normal effect, range, or duration, as well as it not being expended that day. What is more, the noita will be able to sense the presence of any Finns (or others that don't belong in the cold, dark north) who are within 60' for the next 3d6 rounds.

MISFORTUNE
The target must save vs. death or suffer (roll 1d10):
1. Colic: Collapse in pain, crying over some obstruction for the next 2d3 rds.
2. Pleurisy: Must make a INT or CON check to be able to breathe enough to even move each round, lasting for the next 2d6 rounds.
3. Fever: Suffer very unpleasant heat, causing a set -1d6 to all rolls for the next 1d6 turns.
4. Ulcer: Undergo intermittent, sharp pains and a variable -1d6 to all rolls for the next 1d6 turns, rerolled every turn.
5. Plague: Reroll on this table and the result becomes communicable. Those who come in contact with the target while experiencing the rerolled effect must save vs. death or also begin experiencing the effect too!
6. Consumption: As Pleurisy, but is contagious (as Plague).
7. Gout: Be wracked by intense pain for the next 2d6 rounds, must make a STR or WIS check to move each round.
8. Sterility: Cannot mate for 1d6 days!
9. Cancer: Lose 1d6-1 from each ability score each day for the next 3d12 days. Death occurs if any score is reduced to less than 3 during that time (unless this effect is removed before then- as a curse).
10. Strife & Envy: Begin hating Finns, males, and pretty much anything else that's not Pohjolan for the next 1d6 turns. Must save vs. death to resist acting on those feelings if the situation warrants.

DCC RPG Conversion notes: 

Save vs. Death = make a Will save DC 10
Spell not being expended that day = gains a +2 bonus to its spell check

Next week: Noitas of Louhi, Part III!

Noitas of Louhi

Louhi
Chaotic Demon Lord of Pohjola

Cult Edicts of Louhi

* Be cruel to Finns & men, especially Finnish men!
* Tempt them with beautiful rewards...
* ... and betray them whenever possible
* Unleash great calamity too

Noitas of Louhi

Special: Louhi is served by witches (see Volume II) and noitas (Finnish shamanic-witches). Noitas fight as magic-users, but are otherwise treated as clerics. And unlike standard witches (who can select different spells and brew potions), Louhi's noitas can call upon dark spirits to turn Finnish men. Both use mysteries of Louhi (below).

Allowed Weapons: Dagger, staff, whip

Allowed Armor: None

Symbols: Darkness, Cold, North, Whip

Can Turn: Finnish men

Mysteries of Louhi: If their magic would harm a Finnish man, followers of Louhi may reroll one of their spell rolls up to once per day per level.

 

* Louhi and her ilk's hatred of Finnish men can come to include (and even affect) western human males of other civilizations too, if the Referee so desires.

Next week: Noitas of Louhi, Part II!

Fighter-Wizards of Lemminkainen, Part V

   

Lemminkainen Encounters
In a strait, all things are useful. Lemminkainen will see just how resourceful the party is. And if things get too dicey, there's always a base 25% chance of one faithful in him showing up to join in the adventure too (per result #12).

Roll 1d12

1. One party member's mother warns them about an upcoming encounter below (reroll on this table to determine which one). They would be wise to heed her wisdom. 

 

2. 2d6 taunting maidens dwell here. Being of 1d4+4 Charisma each, one might wish to abduct one for wifeing purposes, but also being Pohjolan, one might pass. Even when taken and betrothed, she may wish to dance with others in the halls of joys and pleasure (a base 25% chance per month)...

3. The party can't rest their mounts anywhere, nor remove their armor (barding or human-type). Whenever such is attempted, annoying phantom babes and old women show up to chastise them and prevent it. Such a curse can only be identified by one faithful in Lemminkainen (or similar divinity), though a follower of another divinity would actually be needed to remove it. 

4. What lies ahead? A Pohjolan hold! Within, one will find 2d6 Pohjolan swordsmen drinking flagons of beer with snakes and lizards at the bottom, 1d4 dogs that love to lick the blood of strangers, and 1 Pohjolan host, ready to duel. There's also a 50% chance of 1d4th level noita of Louhi being within (detailed next week) to lead the dark northerners as a Hostess, as well.

Pohjolan Swordsmen: Align: C, MV: 40’, AC: 6, HD: 1, Atk: 1 sword, Dmg: 1d6, SP: none, SV: F1, Mor: 8 (4 if Host is slain)
Bloodlicker Dogs: Align: N, MV: 70’, AC: 8, HD: 2, Atk: 1 bite, Dmg: 1d4, SP: +3 to hit those who are bleeding, SV: F2, Mor: 9 (1 if Host is slain)

Pohjolan Host: Align: C, MV: 40’, AC: 3, HD: 4, Atk: 1 sword, Dmg: 1d8+2, SP: abilities of 4th level fight, SV: F4, Mor: 10

 

5. A hiisi moose is rumored to dwell here. Those who come across it (a base 10% chance of searching each hour) will find the rumors to be true, the beast to be a dire moose with treelike qualities, and it has an incredibly foul disposition. There's also a 25% chance of running into 1d4 lightly clad forest-dames (Finnish dryads) each hour.

Hiisi Moose: Align: C!, MV: 70’, AC: 7, HD: 4, Atk: 1 gore, Dmg: 2d8+2, SP: immune to mind/animal effects, can be treated as a plant, SV: F4, Mor: 6

 

6. With a hideous, fiery neigh, one of Lempo's fire-expiring stallions dashes forth! Even though it would seem an otherwise normal horse, the stallion's hide is continually aflame, causing terrible burns to any who come too close. Only some sort of dousing will allow it to be ridden.

Fire Stallion: Align: N, MV: 90’, AC: 8, HD: 2, Atk: 1 kick, Dmg: 2d6, SP: those within 3' take 2d6 fire damage each round, SV: F2, Mor: 3

7. Gliding upon a nearby death river is a black swan, or some other surprising event. Such a sight might seem an epiphany; that is, until a blind shepherd (with surprisingly good aim), begins cursing profusely and opens fire!

Blind Shepherd of Death: Align: C, MV: 20’, AC: 9, HD: 2, Atk: 1 bow, Dmg: 1d6, SP: +6 to hit with his bow; those struck must also save vs. death or die! (those slain may then also only be resurrected by their mother); otherwise blind, SV: F2, Mor: 12

8. A glowing, smoky wall of flame blocks the way ahead. All who attempt to pass through will take 10d6 damage. Another route must be found, unless travelers are overly fond of a sauna.

9. As the party rounds a turn, they discover a lava river flowing beyond. Luckily, it seems like it can be bypassed with a minor detour. Unluckily, within the river is a rocky pinnacle. From that springs a fire eagle intent on bringing the fire directly to the party.

Fire Eagle: Align: C, MV: 120’ (fly), AC: 7, HD: 3, Atk: 1 fiery bite/ 2 fiery claws, Dmg: 1d6+3/ 1d3+3  (fire), SP: those within 3' take 2d6 fire damage each round, may breathe a 60' cone of flame for 3d6 damage every 3 rounds, SV: F3, Mor:8

10. What is that I hear? Something sounding like a howl and a roar... Those who remain to find out will be attacked within 2d4 rounds by a hideous wolf & black bear. These monsters will aggress relentlessly until given something to eat. Otherwise, the party members will do!

Hideous Wolf: Align: N, MV: 70’, AC: -2, HD: 2, Atk: 1 bite, Dmg: 1d4+2, SP: very hard to injure and has 75% magic resistance, but will stop to eat any food or prey given, SV: F2, Mor:12

Hideous Bear: Align: N, MV: 50’, AC: -2, HD: 4, Atk: 1 bite, Dmg: 1d6+4, SP: very hard to injure and has 50% magic resistance, but will stop to eat any food or prey given, SV: F4, Mor:12

11. All manner of lizard and serpent slither here. For the next 2d6 rounds, each party member must save vs. paralysis or be bitten for 1d3 damage and then must save vs. poison or fall unconscious for 3d6 rounds (to be potentially bitten again). What is more, there's a 15% chance each round of a very large serpent with 100 eyes showing up too.

100-Eyed Serpent: Align: C, MV: 30’, AC: 6, HD: 6, Atk: 1 bite, Dmg: 3d6, SP: those bitten must save vs. poison or die!; cannot be surprised or flanked (it has 100 eyes!) , SV: F6, Mor:10

 

12. One faithful in Lemminkainen approaches. Apart from his obvious brash, minstrel-upstart ways, conversation will reveal that he is actually (roll 1d12): [1-2] just one who greatly emulates Lemminkainen, [3-4] a Tiera-type fighter-henchman, [5-9] a fighter-wizard of Lemminkainen , [10] a fighter-ranger of Lemminkainen , [11-12] a wizard-bard of Lemminkainen

 

 

DCC Conversion Notes

Save vs. death= make a Will save DC 10

Save vs. paralysis= make a Reflex save DC 15

Save vs. poison= make a Fortitude save DC 15

 

 

Next week: noitas of Louhi!