— Darmos Deep One hybrid, over a midnight pipe in Alantane (though some say he heard it from a salt flea bitten Elan sailor). 2338 A.E., Year of the Laughing Idols

Mark well, traveler, for the maps lie. You may search every dry parchment from Portal Isle to Qalteby, but the Isles of Celadon Chartreuse Stones shift beneath the brooding green grey, rolling fogs of the Nykr Uyv’s Midbay like a nervous sleeper under a heavy quilt 800 miles north-to-south and a scarce 680 miles across its widest ribs, this jungle-choked spit of land is a place where the air itself tastes of coppery vegetation and wet stone. — Tannara, High Priestess of Derketo, said to the adventuring band, The Band of the Living Sphinx, 2341 A.E., Year of the Ruby Eye

So here we visit a new location in my setting, The Isles of Celadon Chartreuse Stones. A “new” location in my homebrew TTRPG game setting, The Veiled Echoes of Future Past in Neverwhere. Any stats or game mechanics will be presented in the D&D BX/OSE system as they are recognisable to almost everyone in the hobby. They are also easily modified and/or hacked by any GM/DM to fit the needs of their gaming group and table.

The Isles of Celadon Chartreuse Stones are a mythological and rumored location in the 9th Aeon world of Tellus Gaea Ocirsonoqua. They are born of rumor, fragmented ancient tablets, half burnt and insect eaten papyrus, and oral traditions of certain elder races. Legend and tales speak of a landmass off the coasts of floundering Mu, once large and mighty, now mostly reclaimed by blue abyssal deepened waves and ivory sea foam. Said to have been the abode of the progeniator gods who crafted Mu, and the place their favored and most pious priests and cults communed in close union with the world’s creators in the first, second, third ages and to this day.

Many legends and tales speak of these isles, the secrets and the beings who created or touched them. Long before mankind or even the elder races walked the earth, the progenitor gods (referred to in the isles The Architects or The Soul Smiths) descended upon the primordial crust of Tellus Gaea Ocirsonoqua. The isles were not formed or born naturally; they were carved as a masterwork prototype matrix which later became Mu. The unique coloration, a violent clash of pale celadon and acidic chartreuse, is the physical progeniter touched residue of the primordial slag produced when the gods wared, forged, and hurled the fundamental laws of physics, gravity, and mortality. These green stones are a sort of rare covented jade like stone that is spoken of in the heavy tomes of alchemists, temples, sages, and saints. It is said that the central ridge of this chain of isles was the anvil upon which the first soul was hammered out in the first age. Because the raw, uncooled divine workmanship of the progenitors soaked directly into the bedrock, the stone itself retains a half remembered, half conscious memory of creation. To quarry stone here is to bleed and wound the earth; to sleep directly on the jade chartreuse rock is to invite the creators' whispered dreams and visions to those sensitive to such things.

A Gateway to the Dreamlands: The islands sit precisely on the veil where waking geography bleeds into the Dreamlands of Lovecraft’s cycle. Ships that drift too close through unmappable mists find themselves crossing into waters akin to those sailed by The White Ship—passing shores of immaculate, silent beauty and Lovecraftian horror.

Adjacent to the Basalt Cliffs of Pnar: The misty, unmappable approaches of the isles border the shadowy, cavernous frontiers of Pnar. Travelers sailing past the underground rivers or mist shrouded basalt formations find their vessels slipping seamlessly from waking oceans into the silent, dreamy currents of the southern Dreamlands.

Tied to the Waters of Celephaïs: The tranquil, azure bays and sunlit marble terraces maintain a dream stuff and navigational power leading toward the ethereal city of Celephaïs. Ships that catch the right winds off the coast of the isles can find themselves drifting toward the turquoise skies and alabaster spires ruled by Kuranes, bridging the gap between the time of archaic golden age myth and the veil of the Dreamlands.

The Duality of the Isles (Idyll vs. Dread)

The Upper Tier (The Olympian Liturgy): Rolling hills of silver green groves of friut and olive trees, majestic centaurs and mythical minotaurs studying ancient star charts, and the god echoes hum of the bronze prayer wheels driven by warm, steady trade winds. It is an idyllic haven reminiscent of the early, hospitable ports visited by those in the golden age of Arcadia.

The Under-Tier (The Titan’s Marrow & Cosmic Dread/The Cthulhu Mythos Dread): Beneath the sunlit colonnades, the sunlit groves, the marble terraces, and the rhythmic turning of the colossal bronze prayer wheels driven by subterranean winds, the architecture changes. Deep within the interior of a titan’s lingering soft blood, flesh, marrow, and fossilized bones opens into cyclopean depths. Here, non-Euclidean geometry, pre-human artifacts, elder things, ancient beasts, and dormant alien entities (the silent gray and other alien presences) move in silent, malevolent purpose and excercise their cold, alien logic that contrasts sharply with the idyllic classical surface beauty above.

During the height of the continent of Mu before it floundered and began its eon long sinking beneath the blue abyssal seas, the isles served as the magic and religious Mecca of the ancient world, though a Mecca dedicated to forces far stranger, older, and more primordial than the more modern deities. The priest kings of these isles did not build cities on the isles; they built a city sized network of temples, enclaves, shrines, and holy sites. With actual communities springing up around these larger edifices. They understood that the Nykr Uyv location was a large cosmic Ley Line. During the First and Second Ages, the high priests would submerge themselves in the alchemical, milky green surf during lunar alignments and conjunctions, allowing deep sea leviathans and ancient entities from beyond the pale, the outer dark, and the sky to speak directly through them.

In the twilight of the Third Age, a faction of Mu-an priests attempted to cut a vertical shaft (that would become known as the Well of the Severn Tongue) deep through the planet's crust to tap into the raw Ley energies of Tellus Gaea Ocirsonoqua . They wanted to rewrite mortality. Instead, they breached something ancient, slumbering, and deeply alien. The resulting occultic and psychic backlash cracked the foundations of Mu itself, initiating the slow, agonizing centuries long sinking where the continent lies floundering to this day in the foam and brine. As Mu began its slow centuries long slip beneath the waves during the centuries following the catastrophe of the Well of the Severn Tongue, the isles did not drown; they were marooned. Ripped and torn from greater Mu itself and hurled by the gods to the seas of the western winds during the Gods and Titan wars of the first age. The most learned and powerful of the high priests, the populace, and pilgrims trapped on the surviving land masses could not escape. Over generations, breathing the coppery, chartreuse mist and bathing in the milky-green surf permanently altered the physiology of some of the inhabitants. Their skin changed into translucent, greenish scales that smelled of jade gem and old tide pools; their eyes adapted to the eternal, grey green fog, capable of seeing the ethereal aura of souls and the spark of titans and gods rather than just physical light. When the tide is out, jagged ribs of glowing, pale green chartreuse stone breach the surf, forming razor sharp reefs that shred wooden hulls. So much care must be taken by those few who can locate and berth onto any of the isles. When the tide comes in, the water turns a toxic, milky celadon, and the shoreline shifts half a mile east.

The isles earn their moniker from the tumbled, weather beaten shards of jade hued stone that litter the undergrowth like broken teeth. Or that rise into fertile plateaus and cloud capped peaks. These are no natural rock formations; they are worked masonry, the remnants of a forgotten empire of precursor antiquity. Carved into moss-slicked lintels, temples sturdier than durasteel, and crumbling pillars and faded reliefs depicting savage, writhing humans locked in debased, salacious acts, all of them lorded over by towering, olden gods, nephelim, titans, unearthly beings, and beast-headed figures. Were these beings the actual masters of countless ancient mystery religions and non-human god-worshipping cults, or merely the dark gods of a decadent populace’s fevered imagination? The moss doesn’t tell, and the men who stare at the carvings too long usually have no definitive explanation. The isles have a direct and tangible link to the Dreamlands. Some who chart and sail their first age seas or explore the isles land borne secrets sometimes find that they have traversed some age old path and have stepped across the unmappable mists from the Basalt Cliffs of Pnar or Celephaïs.

Yet, the olden ways and lusts remain a powerful temptation(s). The old tribes and peoples whisper that this ancient island empire and hub of godlike knowledge fell not to slow decay or invading hordes, but to a sudden, apocalyptic god curse that wiped the slate clean in a single shrieking night. (Which they say, even Mu, Lemuria, and Atlantis are but mere contemporaries.) That on nights when the moon rides high and full across the interior of the isles, adventurers and explorers claim there are ancient cities, eternal temples, and olive and fruit groves full of dancing willing nymphs and lecherous satyrs and centaurs rising from the mist entirely whole once more as if the isles were just waiting for a new audience.

Don’t bother looking for these mysterious isles on any maps - it is rumored to be somewhere past the Western winds beyond the coasts of Mu - no one who has gone looking for it has been able to accurately pinpoint its location. This is, in part, due to the thick, moving fogs which usually enshroud the isle. There is also the issue of the questionable sanity of those who claim to have visited the isle.

Suggested B/X Mechanics: The Shifting Mists

To represent the islands actively avoiding discovery, introduce a Navigation Check whenever the players try to map or approach the hex:

The Roll: Roll 1d6 + Wisdom modifier (or Wilderness Survival proficiency if using OSE advanced rules) against a target of 15.

Failure: The mist rolls in thick. The party does not find the island; instead, they drift into the Carcass Reef, taking 1d6x3 hull damage to their ship or washing ashore on a completely different, hazard-filled mud-bank in the moving sea and reefs.

The archipelago itself is 800 miles end to end from its northernmost point to its southernmost, and roughly 680 miles across at its widest point east to west. The isle’s name comes from the green stones found all across it. The stones are worked, and seem to have once been part of some ancient cities, temple complexes, or pre human structures that have long been integrated into the natural earth rock foundations. Some stones still bear weather faded runes and reliefs depicting ancient humans and other beings, often engaged in debauchery, lorded over by a race of god like humanoids. Whether these inhuman beings are an actual race or meant to depict some sort of “others” is currently debated among the island’s scholars and scribes.

What is tempting about the isle to treasure hunters and adventurers is the rumor of great wealth and glory to be found on the isles. Old legends around the waters of Mu, particularly found among the old tribes of Flan descent, place the isle at the center of a lost empire, millennia old. According to these legends, were and are an ancient core set of locations from Mu. During an ancient battle between the gods of Mu and the Titans, these parts of Mu were torn asunder and flung out to the western seas. These parts later became the current archipelago. This decadent empire fell into a long, slow ruin through the actions of these outer agencies and slow decline, but not due to a sudden, apocalyptic end. A further rumor insists that the ancient broken cities sometimes appear as if they had never fallen, on nights when the moon is full.

The Geography of the Isles:

Like greater Mu, Atlantis, and Lemuria, these islands served as a proto life and first Earth creation(s) hub. A divine workshop where the precursors experimented with civilization, agriculture, sorcery, and sentient biology before the current age of the world. The environment itself feels like an illustrated storybook page, sun-bleached green hued stone, cobalt waters, and crisp shadows, yet carrying the heavy, melancholic weight of an age when gods walked openly with titans, monsters, pre human races and man.

Northern Anchor (K’orth)

The Northern Anchor, known in pre-human tongues as K’orth, is a colossal emerald volcanic landmass capped by a perpetually smoking caldera and ringed by defensive terraces. Towering, spire studded citadels, marble temples, pastoral lands, satyr, nymph, and centaur, haunted forests and jungles, villages, olive and fruit groves rise directly from the volcanic slopes, and valleys housing the remnants of an ancient dynasty that once commanded the skies and sea above the archipelago. At its western base sits the Alantane Outpost, a jagged tooth of dark stone where foreign merchant vessels and daring dreamland navigators make landfall. The air here tastes heavily of sea cooled air and exotic flora and fauna, carrying the low rumble of subterranean progenitar and divine architecture and machines. That vibrate through the foundations of the island chain. Ancient statues of winged, multi-limbed, beastal, and pre-human sovereigns stare blindly out toward the luminous moon as saucer shaped silhouettes make their path, gliding through the upper atmosphere. Deep within the volcanic cone, immense basalt chambers serve as primary docks for ethereal craft that drift between waking reality and the southern Dreamlands. These ships, crewed by the Men of Leng, Zoogs, and even the Spiders of Leng, often dock here. The surrounding slopes are dotted with lone towers of elder power, arcane casters, and by Greek like settlements. Some of these slopes are scarred by ancient lava flows that have hardened into unnatural, geometric staircases leading down to hidden eldritch subterranean vaults. It is a place of stark contrasts, where sun bleached classical elegance fights a battle against the encroaching alien geometry. Scholars and sorcerers who brave the ascent to K’orth find vast, untranslated libraries carved into the living rock of the caldera walls. Ultimately, Northern Anchor acts as the primary gatehouse and hub for the shattered isles, anchoring the entire chain to myth, physical Elden tectonic strain and the currents of the Dreamlands and the cosmic void.

The Shifting Ribs

While most of the surrounding archipelago consists of static earth, sea, jungle, sand, and stone, they are not all the same; a portion of the island chain is called The Shifting Ribs or Akk-Tula Taluun , in the ancient tongue of Mu, carrying a heavy, melancholic weight from an age when gods walked openly with men, and monsters. These are in fact the colossal, fossilized spine and bleached ribcages of a primordial titan. Petrified vertebrae and far stranger biologics of a dead titan who was slain long before human history, a pantheon of divine rulers, ( a horde of hyper advanced nephalim or a pantheon of divine rulers (akin to the Olympians) struck down these giant entities in a cataclysmic war of celestial succession, leaving their skeletal remains to fossilize into the very landscape. These dead and quasi-dead remains were later bound by the ancient sorceries of some of Mu’s first sorcer kings. This portion of the island chain itself has strange properties. The very land, beaches, and mountains of this portion of the island chain having been formed from the colossal, fossilized spine, ribcages, and bleached bones of primordial titans. After this, when the predominant races were those of pre-human stock, the gods of the Celadon Chartreuse Stone Isles used this titan's spine, blood, flesh, and ribs as a divine raw material and a workshop where they experimented with early terrestrial life, planting the first sacred groves and raising marble altars and marble shrines directly into and from the titan’s marrow. Towering above and below the cliffs, the blackened bone and bronze prayer wheels function as ancient sorcerous engines driven by persistent subterranean winds from the underworld. They are ancient sorcerous engines left behind by those divine victors or the titan’s own dying anatomy echoing into eternity. These massive mechanical rings produce a low, continuous harmonic chant that echoes across the cobalt waters day and night. Hidden chambers deep within the marrow compartments conceal forgotten archives and non-Euclidean geometries left behind by the island’s original creators.

The Brooding Green Grey Fogs

Shrouding the eastern reaches of the archipelago, a dense and unnatural sky and sea born veil known as the Brooding Green Grey Fogs perpetually obscures the horizon. This heavy vapor is not mere water and condensation, but a physical manifestation of the dream stuff that gives the Dreamlands form and that bleeds and oozes from the islands into the surrounding seas. Navigators crossing this misty frontier find their compasses spinning wildly as magnetic anomalies disrupt traditional sailing instruments. Within the rolling, bioluminescent mists, primordial sea monsters roam, odd sargassos appear, strange organic debris and pre-human artifacts drift aimlessly on slow, unearthly currents. Ancient mariners from Celephaïs and the waking world claim that staring too long into the grey depths induces vivid, waking hallucinations of the days of the creation of the continent of Mu. Ghostly silhouettes of colossal, pre-human vessels and giant floating golden and obsidian pyramids occasionally loom out of the vapor before vanishing back into the twilight. The air here tastes faintly of human tears and ambrosia of the gods, carrying a profound, melancholic nostalgia and silence that dampens all sound save for the ghostly whispered sounds of lost Arcadia and it’s long ago age. Submerged jagged outcroppings of green-hued stone lurk just beneath the waterline, serving as silent hazards to unwary travelers. Sorcerers and dream-navigators utilize these fogs as a hidden threshold, slipping undetected between the waking oceans and the deepest tiers of the southern Dreamlands. Ultimately, the fogs act as a psychological and physical barrier, protecting the inner mysteries of the shattered isles from casual discovery or greedy exploitation.

Nykr Uyv’s Midbay

Nestled along the western expanse of the island chain, Nykr Uyv’s Midbay serves as a vast, semi-sheltered aquatic theater where ancient tides meet anomalous dream currents. The bay is named after an archaic pre-human or titan sovereign whose historical shadow still looms heavy over the crumbling shores. Massive, cyclopean columns of green-hued stone rise straight out of the turquoise and cobalt waves like broken fingers reaching from the deep. Sunken staircases and half-submerged plazas trace the waterline, hinting at grandiose coastal architecture constructed before the dawn of human civilization. The water here is preternaturally calm yet unnaturally buoyant, glowing with a faint chartreuse luminescence during the twilight hours. Travelers navigating the bay often report hearing distant, echoing chants that harmonize with the rhythmic motion of the tides, said to originate from living fierce cyclopes. Veteran seafarers and centaur fishermen treat the center of the bay with superstitious reverence, avoiding its dead center where the deep underwater currents swirl in counter-intuitive spirals. On clear nights, the moon’s reflection on the water’s surface mirrors celestial constellations unknown to any modern astronomer. Ultimately, Nykr Uyv’s Midbay bridges the gap between the open oceanic reaches of the Dreamlands and the structured, gate to Arcadia of the inner isles.

The Well of the Severn Tongue

Carved deeply into the fractured, half submerged terrain of a sinking portion of the archipelago is The Well of the Severn Tongue, a cavernous, perfectly circular shaft plunging down into the primordial bedrock of its island. Its stone rim jutting above the water line is carved and etched with ancient, multilingual inscriptions written in pre-human glyphs and archaic dialects of Mu that defy most scribes’ and scholars’ translation. Precursor beings and early divine rulers once utilized this abyssal vent as an oracle, calling up devinations from monstrous entities from the pit, listening to the echoing, subterranean roars and murmurings rising from the deep earth. The air venting from the well carries a damp, biting chill mixed with the unmistakable scent of deep ocean brine and ancient ozone. Some say due to it being a physical portal to the god Dagon. Many believe it was Dagon and his worshippers and rites the sunk much of the archipelago and began Mu’s slow centuries long sinking into the sea. Explorers who lean too far over the crumbling, lichen-stained stone edges report hearing a chorus of multiple voices speaking simultaneously in rhythmic, overlapping cadences. Strange, luminescent green vapors occasionally pulse upward from the shaft, casting unearthly shadows against the surrounding ruins and broken columns. Other tell of battling and of narrow escapes from vile, unnatural things welling up from its abyssal depths. Ancient myths tie the well to several primeval entities whose severed tongues continue to whisper cosmic secrets, questionable rites, and forgotten prophecies from the dark beneath the sea. Centaur sentinels and hermit scholars carefully avoid the immediate vicinity during lunar alignments, knowing the well’s unnatural properties amplify dream lucidity into strange visions, loss of consciousness, and dangerous madness. Ultimately, the Well of the Severn Tongue remains a focal point for raw, unfiltered esoteric knowledge, serving as both a conduit for ancient prophecy and a yawning portal to dangerous eldritch subterranean unknowns.

The Molten Jade Colosseum of Ichors

Rising from the southern tier of the archipelago, The Molten Jade Colosseum of Ichors is a vast, circular amphitheater constructed from ancient, solid, and translucent green stone that hums with residual arcane energies. Cascading down its terraced tiers are thick, glowing streams of chartreuse fluid, viscous, luminescent ichor left behind by the titan’s biological anatomy that birthed the island chain. The amphitheater’s massive stone seating rows are proportioned for man sized, pre-human sovereigns, and colossal entities. At the center of the arena lies a sunken pit where divine precursors once staged gladiatorial trials, divine rituals, and rites during the first age of the Earth. Mighty weapons and hidden treasures are said to be here. Though few have ever actually been found. The air hanging over the colosseum is heavy with the scent of warm sands, cooling sea breezes, and sweet olive and fruit groves. On starry and full moon nights, the laughter and carousing of satyrs and nymphs can be heard in these groves. Stepping too close to the flowing jade channels risks exposure to the raw, mutagenic energy of primordial lifeblood that still bubbles up from the bedrock. Centaur chieftains, independent scholars, and adventurers occasionally visit the outer perimeter to harvest fragments of crystallized jade-stone for arcane casting and summoning. On quiet nights, the acoustics of the amphitheater capture the distant, rhythmic grinding of the Shifting Ribs’ prayer wheels, amplifying them into an eerie stadium-wide humming. Ultimately, the Molten Jade Colosseum of Ichors stands as a monument to the mythic, first-age grandeur of the ancient world’s divine architects.

The Southern Fang (Ul’thep)

Jutting sharply from the southernmost edge of the archipelago, the Southern Fang—known in archaic tongues as Ul’thep—stands as a solitary, lone island with a needle like monolith rising steeply from churning azure and cobalt waters. Its jagged stone surface is carved from the same dual origin green stone that defines the rest of the island chain, blending earthly location with malleable Dreamlands dream stuff. Carved directly into the sea facing facade of the monolith is a towering, weather-beaten statue of a majestic pre-human deity or divine sentinel, its blind, stony eyes forever fixed toward the horizon. The surrounding waters are treacherous, filled with monstrous sea beasts, hidden underwater reefs, and strong tidal currents that sweep past the fang toward the open southern entrance of the Dreamlands through the Twin Basalt Pillars of the West. A thin trail of volcanic vents bubbles up around the base of the island and the monolith, releasing faint plumes of warm, purple, sulfurous steam of the dreaded alchemical purple lotus that mingle with the salt spray. Mariners and dream-navigators use the Southern Fang as a natural navigational beacon when attempting to thread the needle between the waking world and the mystic dreaming mists. At night, the monolith catches the pale light of the lunar cycle, casting a long, silent shadow across the southern approaches of the island chain. The air surrounding the fang carries a profound, lonely silence, broken only by the relentless crashing of waves against its ancient foundations and the cries of a monstrous Minotaur and its kin that inhabit the island. Ancient legends claim that whispering a secret into the carved ear of the statue when the stars Polaris, Aldebaran, and the demon eye star Algol are visible in the night sky will cause the monolith to answer truthfully any one question at the price of a portion of your immortal soul. Ultimately, the Southern Fang (Ul’thep) serves as the ultimate southern boundary marker of the Shattered Isles, guarding the threshold where the physical world dissolves into pure dreamscape.

Corruption

Situated on the eastern edge of the archipelago, the zone known simply as Corruption represents a terrifying tear in the fabric of the island’s dual-origin earthly and dreamlands reality. Here, there are green and red hued dream stones that have warped into twisted, bulbous outgrowths that pulse with an erratic, sickly, alien and god touched luminescence. Noxious volcanic vents hiss continuously across the fractured terrain, expelling toxic black smoke from the deepest pits of Tartarus that mingles with the surrounding grey fogs. Bizarre, multi-tentacled flora and grotesque mutations of native fauna sprawl across the blackened earth, thriving in the titan imbued arcane energies and the fallout of primordial Tartarus. Ancient pre-human and divine spellcraft has completely broken down on this island, replaced by wild magic storms that rage across the island and non-Euclidean geometries that induce severe consequences and madness in those who gaze upon them or get caught in them for too long. Newly formed shattered green and red fragments float untethered in the air above the warped landscape, defying gravity through corrupted arcane power. Island chain clans and hermit scholars strictly forbid travel into this blighted territory, recognizing it as a festering wound left by the ancient war of celestial succession. Ghostly, distorted vocal echoes of the gods and the titans occasionally reverberate through the corrupted canyons, warped into discordant shrieks. Ultimately, the Corruption serves as a constant, dangerous reminder that the fragile creation of the Shattered Isles is perpetually threatened by total undoing.

Below are key points and features for each island

Unique Characteristics of Northern Anchor (K’orth)

The Canopy of Weeping Moss: The interior is an oppressive, drowned, sunless jungle beneath a dense thatch of pale, weeping moss and jungle trees and flora that feeds on moisture from the fog and its many rivers and swamps. Here strange plant people, humans, and amphibian beings make their lives in clans and tribes. Fire does not catch easily here; wood is waterlogged and smokes with a sweet, hallucinogenic stench that induces waking dreams of and into the First Age.

The Sinking Bazaar of Brass Nails: A sprawling, waterlogged, labyrinthine marketplace wedged between the lower base of the volcano and a lower beach that floods during high tides where merchants trade in pre-human relics, dried hallucinogens, a variety of goods, and contraband artifacts salvaged from the tide pools. The air rings constantly with the clatter of precious coins, trinkets, and the low hum of the masses.

The Alchemist’s Tiered Terraces: Carved into the sheer green stone peaks above the city's main districts, these precipitous ledges are crowded with smoking crystal stalls and bubbling vats of arcane formula tended by silent, masked artificers experimenting with all manner of occult materials. They are guarded by huge half giants and even larger cyclops.

The Obsidian Cisterns: A subterranean network of deep, magic water reservoirs beneath the city streets that catch runoff from the volcano's green slopes. The water here glows with an eerie chartreuse bioluminescence and are said to heal all manner of afflictions and, in some to offer brief, terrifying glimpses of future timelines to those who drink too deeply or who peer too long into its depths.

The Avenue of Whispering Pillars: A grand processional street lined with towering, ancient columns carved from silver, gold, marble, and sea green stone whose flutings naturally funnel ocean winds into a low, continuous chorus of ghostly, disembodied voices said to be the voices of the gods.

The Scale Slums: A claustrophobic maze of old, crumpling corrugated shanties and makeshift sea leviathan skeleton scaffolding crammed into the cliff-side crevices, inhabited by desperate prospectors, exiles, criminals, scavengers, adventurers, and darker things hoping to strike it rich in the nearby monster-infested ruins of the underwarrens.

The Oracle’s Hollow Spire: Sitting on the highest mountain a narrow, needle-like emerald stone tower perched on the highest habitable cliff ledge, where beautiful virgin seers of a dozen species inhale the purple sulfurous vapors rising from deep vents to decode prophecies sent from the gods for the island’s rulers.

The Library of Mu-Ta: An utterly ancient first age subterranean library hollowed directly out of the pale green stone foundations and black abyssal stone from the nine hells. Housing crumbling scrolls, strange artifacts, and inscribed stone tablets that detail the genealogy and “blueprint” of the mystery of life, of pre-human sorcerer-kings, and of the cataclysms of celestial succession.

The Iron Lung Foundries: A cluster of heavy industrial smithies powered by the unyielding heat of minor volcanic vents, where sweat-stained artisans hammer raw ores and salvage metal from alien ship wreckage to forge crude tools, heavy duty mechanical components, technology, and masterwork weapons.

The Gilded Menagerie: A walled courtyard complex featuring overgrown botanical gardens and cages where eccentric nobles keep flora, fauna, alien specimens, sentient slaves from countless worlds, and bizarre exotic beasts dragged from the surrounding fog-shrouded waters. Only those of the upper strata of society may walk or enter these grounds. Yet here, once per full moon, any class may enter on those nights. At these times, the temple of Derketo have their monthly orgies. Various other cults and mystery religions also partake in their own carnal rites, and it is not uncommon to find demi-humans like merfolk, centaurs, satyrs, nymphs, minotaurs and all manner of beings partaking in willing and strange flesh.

The Weeping Steps of the Goddess Zita: A steep, multi-tiered monumental staircase carved into the natural and the green hued rock that leads upward through the densely packed urban core, slick with constant condensation and marked by perpetual shrines to the local pre-human deities. Every year the major religions and cults and their faithful pilgrims climb these steps to their pinnacle. Finding large temples of architectural grandeur to their chosen gods. Here it is said the gods heal illness, grant boons, and even bestow resurrections and issue quests to select faithful.

The Drowning Docks: A rickety, semi-submerged port district where battered fishing galleys and low-slung barges tie up against waterlogged wooden pilings, constantly menaced by unpredictable tidal surges, sea beasts, and strange, buoyant currents drifting in from the bay. These mariners are the backbone of the fishing trade and a key harbor of trade for the island chain.

More of Northern Anchor (K’orth)

The Chitinous Tide: A yearly spring ocean surge where thousands of semi-translucent, insectoid carapaces and discarded crustacean shells wash up along the island’s shores, choking the shallower coves and harvested by locals for natural sea born armors.

The Searing Ash Squalls: Sudden, localized wind storms sweeping down from the green volcano that carry superheated, fine-grained volcanic ash mixed with blue tinged salts, instantly stripping vegetation bare and blistering unprotected flesh.

The Cobalt Slime Slicks: Thick, gelatinous patches of oily residue that drift across the coastal waters, acting as natural breakwaters that completely flatten incoming waves while emitting a faint, rhythmic low frequency sound of whale song.

The Whispering Down Drafts: Heavy, atmospheric air currents plunging off the highest cliffs that pick up the acoustic vibrations of the bronze subterrainian prayer wheels, translating these sounds into ordinary speech. These echoing, multi-voiced hallucinations are heard by anyone standing in the ravines below.

The Phosphorescent Fog Banks: Low lying maritime mists rolling off the bay at dusk that glow with a brilliant, neon chartreuse hue, plunging entire coastal neighborhoods into a disorienting, shadowless twilight where magnetic compasses spin uncontrollably and dangerous humanoid fish folk are said to prowl these mists.

The Grottos and Groves of the Lustful Gods: Multiple secluded, sun and moon dappled olive and fruit groves tucked deep within terraced hills, along lakes or streams, or in moonlit valleys play host to carnal delights. These are where peasant and noble human and humanoid men and women slip away from the marble courtyards under the light of the full moon. Here, amid ancient, gnarled fruit trees dripping with sweet nectar and heavy boughs, they join with carousing satyrs, minotaurs, nymphs, and wild centaurs in ecstatic, unrestrained carnal revelry fueled by the warm, intoxicating breeze and the primal embrace of the earth. All of them are smiled upon and are given free reign by this or that local goddess or god. Even the spirits of the groves and less powerful gods of streams and thin brooks partake in the debauchery.

Rumored Dungeons, Creatures, and Treasures of Northern Anchor (K’orth):

The Gilded Crypt of the First Kings: A sprawling, massive subterranean sepulcher carved into the ancient roots of the volcano, where pre-human monarchs were mummified in hardening chartreuse resin. This dungeon is well known and marked on most maps. However, none have ever successfully probed its secrets or returned alive from its depths.

Potential Creatures:

Green Gem Resin Zombies (2d4): HD 2; AC 7 [12]; Att 1 × slam (1d6 + entangling slime); MV 60’ (20’); Save F1; ML 12; AL C. Note: Striking them with metal weapons risks the weapon getting stuck in the viscous, hardening ooze.

Resin Capped Beast Guardians (1): HD 5; AC 3 [16]; Att 2 × claw (1d8) or 1 × resin blast; MV 90’ (30’); Save F5; ML 11; AL C.

Potential Treasures & Items:

The Amber Coronet of Mu-Ta: A heavy crown of translucent green amber that grants the wearer +1 to Saving Throws against magical charm and poison, but slowly stains the wearer’s skin with a faint chartreuse tint over weeks of use.

Gilded Scepter of the Resin King: Worth 1,200 gp in raw gold and jade inlay; functions as a Rod of Splendor (usable once per day to command ordinary mortals within 30 feet).

The Sunken Scriptorium of the Two Tongued Ones: A partially flooded, multi-tiered library complex reached only by diving or navigating treacherous subterranean lock-canals beneath the island’s core. Said to hold secrets from the beginnings of creation.

Potential Creatures:

Submerged Archive Stalkers (1d3): HD 4; AC 4 [15]; Att 2 × tentacle grab (1d4 + constrict); MV 30’ (10’), swim 120’ (40’); Save F4; ML 9; AL N.

Drowned Scribe Phantoms (2d6): HD 3; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × draining touch (1d6 cold + level drain); MV fly 90’ (30’); Save MU3; ML 10; AL C.

Potential Treasures & Items:

Scroll of Primordial Understanding: A water tight metal cylinder containing three magic-user spells (Read Languages, Tongues, and Contact Higher Plane), or any spells the GM/DM desires, written in an iridescent ink that never smears underwater.

The Lenses of the Deep Reader: A pair of spectacles with polished green-tinted crystal lenses that allow the wearer to automatically understand and read any ancient, non-magical pre-human inscription within 20 feet.

The Abyssal Labyrinth of the Shifting Ribs: A titanic ribcage-shaped cave system deep within the island’s foundation where massive stone prayer wheels grind endlessly against each other, creating disorienting seismic echoes. Here mechanical automatons and alien machines guard alien technologies.

Potential Creatures:

Feral Flesh Eating Minotaurs (1d6): HD 6; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × gore (2d6) or 1 × bronze greataxe (1d10+4); MV 120’ (40’); Save F6; ML 10; AL C.

Echo-Hag (1): HD 4+1; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × claw (1d8 + sonic reverberation); MV 90’ (30’); Save MU4; ML 8; AL C. Note: Can project its voice to sound like it is coming from any corridor within 100 feet.

Potential Treasures & Items:

Greataxe of the Seismic Echoes: A heavy iron two-handed weapon (+1 to hit, +2 damage). When struck against stone, it emits a booming shockwave once per day that functions similarly to a Knock spell on any door or barrier within 30 feet.

Bronze Prayer Wheel Fragment: A heavy, notched gear wheel of alien technology worth 450 gp to a collector of ancient technology or arcane antiquities.

The Temple of the Verdant Churning: A high-altitude, open-air temple perched on a volcanic outcropping where raw green ichor cascades down carved stone troughs into deep sacrificial basins. Said to be a temple by a secret cult of Lovecraftian entity worshippers.

Potential Creatures:

Ichor-Spawned Satyr Cultists (3d4): HD 2; AC 7 [12]; Att 1 × dagger (1d4) or shortbow (1d6); MV 120’ (40’); Save F2; ML 8; AL C. Special: Their blood acts as a mild acid; striking them in melee with bare skin or natural weapons deals 1 point of damage back to the attacker.

Corrupted Wood-Nymph (1): HD 4; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × entangling vines or spellcasting (as 4th-level Druid/Magic-User); MV 90’ (30’); Save MU4; ML 9; AL N.

Potential Treasures & Items:

Flask of Primordial Ichor: A sealed glass vial containing raw, glowing chartreuse fluid. If consumed, it permanently increases Constitution by 1 point but requires a Saving Throw vs. Poison or permanently lowers Wisdom by 2 points due to mind-warping visions.

Dagger of the Verdant Harvest: A ritual blade fashioned from hardened green jade-stone (+1 magic dagger). Against organic creatures, it deals double damage (2d4 + 1).

NPCs of Northern Anchor (K’orth):

High Seer Zora of the Purple Sulfur Spire

Class/Level: Magic-User 6 / Cleric 6 (Dual-class or dual-specialty oracle)

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral (CN)

Armor Class: 7 [12] (Leather armor + Ring of Protection +1)

Hit Points: 24

Move: 90’ (30’)

Morale: 9

XP: 2,500

Attributes: Str 8, Int 16, Wis 17, Dex 12, Con 10, Cha 13 Com 15

Attacks & Weapons: Dagger of the Verdant Harvest +1 (1d4+1 melee) or sling (1d4 missile).

Spells (Cleric/Magic-User mix): Detect Magic, Light, Protection from Evil; Cure Light Wounds, Find Traps, Silence 15’ Radius; Dispel Magic, Locate Object, Fireball.

Special Abilities: Inhales sulfurous purple vapors from volcanic vents to gain true visions of alternate timelines; immune to non-magical smoke and gas hazards.

Items Carried: Dagger of the Verdant Harvest (+1 dagger, deals double damage to plant/wood creatures), Ring of Protection +1, ceramic censer filled with dried purple lotus, bronze scroll case containing archaic pre-human star charts.

Captain Jareth “Copper-Tooth” Carvoss

Class/Level: Fighter 5

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral (CN)

Armor Class: 3 [16] ( Shell Plate mail and shield)

Hit Points: 38

Move: 60’ (20’ due to heavy plate)

Morale: 10

XP: 400

Attributes: Str 16, Int 11, Wis 9, Dex 13, Con 15, Cha 12 Com 10

Attacks & Weapons: Greataxe +1 (Made from the incisor of a sea beast) (1d10+4 melee) or heavy crossbow (1d6).

Special Abilities: Weapon specialization in axes (+1 to hit, +2 to damage included above); expert navigator through the treacherous chartreuse tide-slicks and hidden reefs around Northern Anchor.

Items Carried: Greataxe (+1 to hit, +2 damage; emits a shockwave once per day functioning as a Thunderwave spell), shell plate mail, heavy crossbow with 20 bolts, leather pouch containing 450 gp worth of raw bronze gear fragments and jade chips.

Nymira the Verdant-Stricken

Class/Level: Druid / Nymph 4

Alignment: Neutral (N)

Armor Class: 5 [14] (Silken armor and natural agility)

Hit Points: 21

Move: 120’ (40’)

Morale: 8

XP: 300

Attributes: Str 10, Int 13, Wis 15, Dex 16, Con 11, Cha 14 Com 19

Attacks & Weapons: Bone shortsword (1d6) or longbow (1d6).

Spells: Detect Magic, Entangle, Speak with Plants; Barkskin, Heat Metal.

Special Abilities: All nymph special abilities. Immune to the charm and sleep abilities of sylvan creatures (satyrs/nymphs); can command normal plant life and traverse dense, waterlogged jungles without movement penalties.

Items Carried: Flask of primordial chartreuse ichor (+1 Con, requires Save vs. Poison or -2 Wis), vial of sweet-smelling hallucinogenic moss smoke extract, bone shortsword, 3 vials of healing water harvested from the obsidian cisterns.

Rumors of Northern Anchor (K’orth) (1d8)

The Amber Coronet: It is said that anyone who wears the Amber Coronet of Mu-Ta from the Gilded Crypt gains resistance to magic, but locals whisper that the wearer eventually loses their reflection in mirrors and pool water.

The Scriptorium Docks: Divers claim that the lock-canals beneath the Sunken Scriptorium open automatically only when the twin moons align directly over the volcano’s vent.

The Shifting Ribs: Mercenaries returning from the Abyssal Labyrinth report that the bronze prayer wheels can be manually reversed, temporarily halting the seismic echoes if you can survive the mechanical automatons guarding the gears.

High Seer Zora: Those seeking true prophecies from High Seer Zora must bring an offering of dried purple lotus, or risk being cursed with waking visions of their own demise.

The Lustful Groves: Whispers circulate among the lower docks that human nobles who linger too long in the moonlit groves of the satyrs and nymphs forget their mortal names entirely and engage in carnal lusts forever, and that some even take root as weeping fruit trees.

Captain Jareth’s Axe: Sailors at the Drowning Docks swear that Captain Jareth’s sea-incisor axe was pulled directly from the jaw of a leviathan that swallows unwary ships whole.

The Cobalt Slicks: Avoid the oily cobalt slime slicks near the harbor; Capt “old salty” Glug the frogman claims they carry a mutagenic contagion that softens a man’s bones into rubber.

The Gilded Menagerie: Eccentric nobles are rumored to be breeding a new strain of multi-tentacled fauna captured from the Corruption zone, intending to unleash them in the amphitheater pits.

Wilderness & Settlement Encounters in Northern Anchor (K’orth)

Overworld Encounters (1d8)

Cultist Patrol (1d4): Ichor-Spawned Human and Satyr Cultists scouting the jungle perimeter. HD 2; AC 7 [12]; Att 1 × dagger (1d4) (1 x Headbutt Satyr 1d6) or shortbow (1d6); MV 120’ (40’); Save F2; ML 8; AL C. Special: Blood acts as a mild acid (1 damage to melee attackers hitting with bare skin).

Feral Centaur Skirmishers (1d3): Wild archers hunting for jade fragments near the volcanic slopes. HD 4; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × lance (1d6) or composite bow (1d6); MV 180’ (60’); Save F4; ML 9; AL N.

Fog Bank Fish Folk (2d4): Amphibious humanoids emerging from the phosphorescent mists. HD 2+1; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × spear (1d6) or bite (1d4); MV 90’ (30’), swim 120’ (40’); Save F2; ML 8; AL C.

Mutated Jungle Predator (1): A multi-tentacled ape-like beast stalking the tree line. HD 5; AC 4 [15]; Att 2 × claw (1d6) 4 x tentacles 1d4 each and 1 × bite (2d4); MV 120’ (40’); Save F5; ML 10; AL N.

Drifting Searing Ash Squall: Sudden environmental hazard. Characters caught in the open must make a Saving Throw vs. Breath Weapons or take 1d6 damage and suffer -1 to dexterity checks for 24 hours due to blistered skin.

Hermit Scholar & Porters (1 + 1d4 human guards): A lone researcher studying pre-human glyphs, willing to trade rare lore for clean water or bronze scrap. Scholar: HD 1 (HP 4); AC 9 [10]; Att 1 × walking staff (1d4); ML 7; AL N. Guards: HD 1; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × sword (1d6); ML 8; AL N.

Escaped Menagerie Specimen (1): A frenzied, gelatinous ooze-beast slipped from the Gilded Menagerie. HD 3; AC 8 [11]; Att 1 × bite (1d6 + acid); MV 60’ (20’); Save F2; ML 10; AL N.

Nymph Revelers (2d4): A band of lustful, playful, wild nymphs dancing through the weeping moss canopy. HD 3; AC 7 [12]; Att 1 × touch (charm person); MV 120’ (40’); Save M3; ML 7; AL N.

Urban & Port Encounters (1d6)

Bazaar Cutpurses (1d3): Street bums operating in the Sinking Bazaar of Brass Nails. HD 1-1 (HP 3); AC 9 [10]; Att 1 × dagger (1d4); MV 120’ (40’); Save NH; ML 6; AL C. Attempt to pick pockets on a 1-3 on a d6.

Drunken Dock-Workers (2d4): Rowdy sailors fresh off the Drowning Docks looking for a tavern brawl. HD 1; AC 9 [10]; Att 1 × club or fist (1d4); MV 120’ (40’); Save F1; ML 7; AL N.

Masked Artificer Guard Detail (1d4): Enforcers from the Alchemist’s Tiered Terraces transporting volatile jars of green ichor. HD 3; AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × shortsword (1d6) or heavy blaster (1d6+3); MV 90’ (30’); Save F3; ML 9; AL N.

Press-Gang Agents (1d4+1): Henchmen working for local shipping lords looking to recruit deckhands by force. HD 2; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × club or dagger (1d4); MV 120’ (40’); Save F2; ML 9; AL C.

Mad Prophet: A wild-eyed hermit shouting apocalyptic warnings about the celestial succession and the Chitinous Tide. HD 1; AC 9 [10]; Att 1 × staff (1d4); Save F1; ML 5; AL N.

Traveling Merchant Caravan (1 merchant uses normal man stats (3 hp) + 2d4 guards): Selling salvaged bronze gear fragments, dried purple lotus, and mapping supplies. Guards: HD 1; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × spear (1d6); ML 8; AL N.

Key Vendors and Safe Havens of Northern Anchor (K’orth)

The Copper-Tooth Anchorage (Tavern & Safe Haven)

Location: Perched right on the edge of the Drowning Docks.

Proprietor: Managed by associates of Captain Jareth.

Purpose: The premier neutral ground for adventurers, sailors, and treasure hunters. Here, characters can buy information, fence raw bronze gear fragments, secure dependable local guides for the jungle interior, and purchase standard or sea-faring equipment at normal market rates.

The Alchemical Dispensary of the Shimmering Vats

Location: Carved into the Alchemist’s Tiered Terraces.

Proprietor: A silent, masked artificer named Master Hex.

Purpose: Specialized boutique vendor dealing in anti-toxins, sealed glass vials for harvesting primordial ichor, censer herbs, and specialized protective gear against acid and sulfurous fumes. They also pay top gold for pure jade stone fragments.

The Scroll-Stitch Emporium

Location: Tucked away near the Avenue of Whispering Pillars.

Proprietor: An aging scribe who translates pre-human inscriptions.

Purpose: A quiet, fortified safe house and scriptorium where arcane spellcasters can purchase blank parchment, scroll cases, waterproof ink, and occasionally contract the transcription of rare spells found in deep ruins.

The Iron-Lung Foundries (Blacksmith & Gear Outfitter)

Location: Built directly over the roaring volcanic vents in the lower industrial tiers.

Proprietor: Master Smith Thorgar, an ex-logistician.

Purpose: The best place on the island to purchase heavy and exotic weapons, commission custom repairs on dented armor, or trade heavy metals. Specializes in reinforcing armor plates with crustacean shell and volcanic resin to resist acidic environments.

Points of Interest for The Shifting Ribs (Akk-Tula Taluun)

The Marrow-Gelled Tides: The coastal surf washing against the bleached ribcages turns a thick, pearlescent white, leaving behind a crystalline residue that hardens into brittle bone-porcelain upon contact with open air.

The Chanting Gales: Perpetual subterranean winds roaring through the colossal, hollow vertebrae turn the massive bronze prayer wheels into acoustic amplifiers, generating a low, droning harmonic chant that triggers vivid auditory hallucinations in anyone lacking shelter.

The Calcified Silt-Plains: Vast stretches of flat, pale beaches composed entirely of pulverized titan-bone sand that absorbs body heat rapidly, making exposed skin feel frostbitten even under a blazing tropical sun.

The Spinal Fault-Tremors: Rhythmic, seismic tremors pulsing through the fossilized spine every six hours as the ancient sorcerous engines in the deep marrow compartments shift gears against the underworld bedrock.

The Veined Marrow-Springs: Seeping freshwater springs welling up directly from the porous core of the giant vertebrae, glowing with a faint, milky luminescence and granting temporary physical endurance to those who drink, at the cost of inducing erratic skeletal twitching.

The Shrines of the Marrow-Architects: Scattered across the rib-arches and carved directly into the petrified bone are ancient marble altars and open-air shrines built during the first age of terrestrial experimentation. Here, human and pre-human pilgrims leave offerings of polished jade and bone dust, while wild centaurs and satyrs gather in the skeletal shadows to carouse and worship forgotten creator deities.

Rumored Dungeons, Creatures, and Treasures of The Shifting Ribs (Akk-Tula Taluun):

The Ossuary of the First Suture: A vast, multi-chambered vault hollowed directly out of the colossal spinal canal where the divine victors attempted to stitch synthetic life onto fossilized bone.

Potential Creatures:

Skeletal Graft-Constructs (2d4): HD 3; AC 4 [15]; Att 2 × claw (1d6) or 1 × bone-shard spit (1d4); MV 90’ (30’); Save F3; ML 11; AL C. Note: Immune to sleep, charm, and cold-based spells due to their lack of living tissue.

Marrow-Worm Swarm (1): HD 4; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × swarm bite (2d4 + disease); MV 60’ (20’), burrow 30’ (10’); Save F4; ML 10; AL N.

Potential Treasures & Items:

The Needle of Celestial Suture: A foot-long surgical tool forged from meteoric iron and white gold; functions as a Wand of Paralyzation (10 charges remaining) and allows a magic-user to seamlessly fuse non-organic material to flesh temporarily.

Vial of Titan Marrow Fluid: A glowing, viscous fluid in a crystal ampoule that permanently increases a character’s Strength score by 5 points if consumed, requiring a Saving Throw vs. Poison per day to avoid violent bone-ache spasms for 1d6 days.

The Vault of the Echoing Vertebra: A sealed compartment inside the deepest thoracic arch where the mechanical prayer wheels connect directly to the underworld’s kinetic vents.

Potential Creatures:

Gear-Bound Automaton (1d2): HD 5; AC 2 [17]; Att 2 × heavy metal slam (1d8); MV 60’ (20’); Save F5; ML 12; AL N. Special: Takes half damage from piercing and slashing weapons.

Acoustic Wraith (1): HD 4; AC 3 [16]; Att 1 × sonic shriek (1d8 cold/sonic damage + deafness for 1d4 turns); MV fly 120’ (40’); Save MU4; ML 9; AL C.

Potential Treasures & Items:

Bronze Gear of Perpetual Motion: A fist-sized, self-rotating cog that never stops turning; can be slotted into any mechanical or clockwork device to power it indefinitely, valued at 900 gp by artificers.

Ring of the Harmonic Shield: A polished bone band that emits an invisible, low-frequency hum, granting the wearer a permanent +2 bonus to Armor Class against missile attacks and ranged spells.

The Altar of the First Experiment: An open-air terrace built upon a sprawling scapula bone overlooking the cobalt sea, surrounded by ruined marble colonnades and petrified fruit groves. 1D6 chance, (5-6) of a +2 weapon or armor being here.

Potential Creatures:

Mutated Satyr Marauders (2d4): HD 2+1; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × horn gore (1d4) or shortsword (1d6); MV 120’ (40’); Save F2; ML 8; AL C. Special: Their music can force a Saving Throw vs. Spells or cause listeners to dance uncontrollably for 1 round.

Titan-Spawned Centaur Chieftain (1): HD 7; AC 5 [14]; Att 2 × hooves (1d8) or 1 × massive bronze lance (1d10+2); MV 180’ (60’); Save F5; ML 10; AL CN.

Potential Treasures & Items:

Chalice of the Marrow-Wine: A silver-rimmed cup fashioned from a joint bone; any non-magical liquid poured into it transforms into a potent healing draught that restores 2d4 hit points once per day.

Torch of the First Age: A heavy neck-ring of torch of undying flame made of twisted gold and white jade worth 750 gp, used by ancient pre-human nobility.

The Sub Spinal Archives of Mu: A waterlogged labyrinth of narrow bone-passages beneath the primary vertebra column containing preserved clay tablets and non-Euclidean geometric carvings.

Potential Creatures:

Bone-Gilled Abominations (1d3): HD 4; AC 5 [14]; Att 2 × claw (1d6) and 1 × bite (1d8); MV 30’ (10’), swim 120’ (40’); Save F4; ML 9; AL C.

Archive Guardian Phantoms (2d3): HD 3; AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × spectral touch (1d6 necrotic damage/level drain save vs DC 12); MV fly 90’ (30’); Save MU3; ML 10; AL N.

Potential Treasures & Items:

Scroll of Non-Euclidean Geometry: A parchment sheet covered in shifting, maddening diagrams; a magic-user or cleric who studies it successfully can permanently add the Maze spell to their spellbook, but must pass a Saving Throw vs. Spells or suffer 1 point of permanent Wisdom (cleric) Intelligence (mage) loss.

Tablet of Muvian Genealogies: A heavy slate tablet inscribed with the divine lineage of the pre-human pantheon, valued at 1,000 gp by historical scholars and collectors.

NPCs of The Shifting Ribs (Akk-Tula Taluun):

Master Artificer Theron of the Bronze Spool

Class/Level: Magic-User 7

Alignment: Neutral (N)

Armor Class: 6 [13] (Bracers of Defense AC 6, no armor)

Hit Points: 22

Move: 90’ (30’)

Morale: 8

XP: 850

Attributes: Str 9, Int 18, Wis 14, Dex 15, Con 11, Cha 12, Com 9

Attacks & Weapons: Silver dagger +1 (1d4+1 melee) or sling (1d4 missile).

Spells: Floating Disc, Shield, Read Magic; Invisibility, Levitate, Web; Dispel Magic, Fly, Dimension Door; Dimension Door, Ice Storm.

Special Abilities: Specialized in repairing and reverse engineering pre-human machinery and pneumatic titan engines; immune to normal sonic disorientation effects caused by the prayer wheels.

Items Carried: Bracers of Defense AC 6, Silver Dagger +1, brass toolkit filled with micrometers and jade lenses, scroll case with three arcane scrolls, pouch containing 300 gp in cut gem fragments.

Centaur Chieftain Kallias the Bone-Marked

Class/Level: Fighter 6

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral (CN)

Armor Class: 4 [15] (Studded leather barding and natural resilience)

Hit Points: 45

Move: 180’ (60’)

Morale: 10

XP: 600

Attributes: Str 17, Int 10, Wis 13, Dex 14, Con 16, Cha 13, Com 16

Attacks & Weapons: Massive bronze lance (1d6+5 melee) or composite longbow (1d6 missile).

Special Abilities: Expert mounted combatant (even as a centaur); can navigate the shifting fault-tremors and hidden bone-chasms without speed penalties; commands absolute loyalty from local wild centaur bands.

Items Carried: Bronze lance (+1 to hit), composite longbow with 30 arrows, heavy iron flask of marrow-wine, tribal amulet of twisted gold (worth 400 gp).

Vespera the Hollow-Eyed Oracle

Class/Level: Cleric 6

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral (CN)

Armor Class: 5 [14] (Chainmail armor)

Hit Points: 31

Move: 90’ (30’)

Morale: 9

XP: 800

Attributes: Str 10, Int 12, Wis 17, Dex 11, Con 14, Cha 15, Com 17

Attacks & Weapons: Mace +1 (1d6+1 melee) or sling (1d4 missile).

Spells: Cause Light Wounds, Detect Magic, Light; Find Traps, Hold Person, Silence 15’ Radius; Animate Dead, Cure Disease.

Special Abilities: Receives prophetic trances when standing directly beneath the grinding bronze prayer wheels; can turn undead as a 6th-level cleric.

Items Carried: Mace +1, chainmail armor, wooden holy symbol shaped like a coiled spinal column, vial of preservative embalming resin, 3 incense sticks of deep-trance induction.

Rumors of The Shifting Ribs (Akk-Tula Taluun) (1d8)

The Bone-Porcelain Surf: Locals warn that anyone who collects shells from the marrow-gelled beaches must wash them in fresh water before sunset, or the white crust will permanently cement to their skin like bone armor.

The Chanting Gales: The massive bronze prayer wheels do not just make noise; old sailors swear that if you listen closely to the harmonic drone at midnight, it recites the exact coordinates of the sunken continents.

The Ossuary Suture: Explorers whisper that the First Suture vault contains abandoned prototype bodies left behind by the gods—biological frames built to house immortal souls that never arrived.

Master Theron’s Workshop: The artificer Theron is rumored to possess a working blueprint for a mechanical wing harness that lets a user glide across the entire island chain on thermal vents.

The Spinal Faults: Deep within the petrified spine, the ground opens up every seven years during the stellar alignment, revealing hidden vaults filled with pre-human gold and non-Euclidean artifacts.

Chieftain Kallias’s Hunt: Centaur bards sing that Kallias traded his shadow to a titan echo in exchange for the bronze lance he carries, allowing him to strike targets across dimensional barriers.

The Marrow Springs: Drinking straight from the veined marrow-springs grants supernatural stamina, but chronic users eventually find their reflections in mirrors replaced by a faceless skeleton.

The Vault of the Echoing Vertebra: Adventurers who manage to reverse the rotation of the main bronze prayer wheel can temporarily silence the island’s seismic tremors, but doing so awakens the gear-bound automatons.

Wilderness & Settlement Encounters in The Shifting Ribs (Akk-Tula Taluun)

Overworld Encounters (1d8)

Wild Centaur Skirmishers (1d4): Warriors patrolling the spinal ridges. HD 4; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × lance (1d6) or composite bow (1d6); MV 180’ (60’); Save F4; ML 9; AL CN.

Bone-Gilled Stalkers (1d3): Amphibious horrors crawling up from the surf. HD 4; AC 5 [14]; Att 2 × claw (1d6) and 1 × bite (1d8); MV 30’ (10’), swim 120’ (40’); Save F4; ML 9; AL C.

Rogue Gear-Automaton (1): A malfunctioning mechanical guardian escaped from the spinal vaults. HD 5; AC 2 [17]; Att 2 × heavy metal slam (1d8); MV 60’ (20’); Save F5; ML 12; AL N.

Satyr Revellers (2d4): Dancing and carousing near the ancient marble shrines. HD 2+1; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × dagger (1d4); MV 120’ (40’); Save F2; ML 8; AL CN.

Spinal Fault-Tremor Hazard: Sudden seismic shift. Characters caught in the open must make a Saving Throw vs. Death Ray or fall prone, dropping one held item into a fissure opening beneath them.

Scavenging Scholar & Guards (1 scholar + 1d4 guards): Searching for titan bone fragments and pre-human relics. Scholar: HD 1 (HP 5); AC 9 [10]; Att 1 × staff (1d4); Save MU1; ML 7; AL N. Guards: HD 2; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × sword (1d6); ML 8; AL N.

Acoustic Wraith (1): A drifting spectral manifestation born from the prayer wheel echoes. HD 4; AC 3 [16]; Att 1 × sonic shriek (1d8 cold/sonic damage); MV fly 120’ (40’); Save MU4; ML 9; AL C.

Nymph Hermit (1): A solitary water nymph tending a veined marrow-spring. HD 4; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × touch (charm person); MV 90’ (30’), swim 120’ (40’); Save MU4; ML 8; AL N.

Urban & Port Encounters (1d6)

Bone-Collector Smugglers (1d3): Shady dealers trading in illegal titan bone shards and marrow-wine. HD 2; AC 7 [12]; Att 1 × shortsword (1d6); MV 120’ (40’); Save F2; ML 8; AL C.

Artificer’s Apprentices (1d4): Carrying delicate brass tools and gear cogs between workshops. HD 1; AC 8 [11]; Att 1 × dagger (1d4); MV 120’ (40’); Save MU1; ML 7; AL N.

Zealot Pilgrims (2d4): Worshipping at the rib-shrines, chanting in harmony with the prayer wheels. HD 1; AC 9 [10]; Att 1 × club (1d4); MV 120’ (40’); Save F1; ML 9; AL N.

Mercenary Guards (1d4+1): Hired muscle protecting treasure hunters exploring the spinal ossuaries. HD 2; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × polearm (1d10); MV 90’ (30’); Save F2; ML 8; AL N.

Drunken Centaur Mercenaries (1d3): Looking for trouble after a night of sex with nymphs and carousing in the groves. HD 4; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × spear (1d6); MV 180’ (60’); Save F4; ML 9; AL CN.

Traveling Provisioner Caravan (1 merchant use normal man statd + 2d4 guards): Selling climbing gear, waterproof wax, and rations. Guards: HD 1; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × sword (1d6); ML 8; AL N.

Key Vendors and Safe Havens of The Shifting Ribs (Akk-Tula Taluun)

The Bronze Spool Workshop (Artificer & Gear Outfitter)

Location: Wedged beneath a massive petrified vertebra arch.

Proprietor: Master Artificer Theron.

Purpose: The premier workshop for purchasing mechanical tools, custom climbing spikes designed for petrified bone, bronze replacement cogs, and specialized acoustic dampeners to protect against the prayer wheel drones.

The Marrow-Spring Tavern (Safe Haven & Inn)

Location: Built around a glowing, veined freshwater spring.

Proprietor: A retired centaur scout named Varis.

Purpose: A secure neutral meeting ground where adventurers can rent stone carved bunks, sample the famous marrow-wine, hire experienced local guides for the spinal ossuaries, and fence minor pre-human artifacts.

The Shrine of Whispering Echoes (Sanctuary & Lore Exchange)

Location: Perched on a high rib-terrace near the giant bronze prayer wheels.

Proprietor: Vespera the Hollow-Eyed Oracle.

Purpose: A quiet sanctuary where divine spellcasters can rest, purchase holy water and incense, or pay for prophetic divinations regarding upcoming dungeon expeditions and stellar alignments.

Unique Characteristics of The Brooding Green Grey Fogs

The Dream-Stuff Veil: A dense, unnatural maritime veil born from the bleeding dream stuff of the Dreamlands that perpetually shrouds the eastern archipelago, acting as a physical and psychological barrier against casual discovery.

The Magnetic-Anomaly Gales: Rolling, bioluminescent mists where magnetic compasses spin wildly and traditional sailing instruments fail entirely due to deep-seated dimensional disruptions.

The Nostalgic Silence: An oppressive, melancholic atmosphere where the air tastes faintly of human tears and divine ambrosia, dampening all exterior noise save for the ghostly, whispered sounds of lost Arcadia and its ancient age.

The Phantom Driftwood Currents: Slow, unearthly currents carrying strange organic debris, pre-human artifacts, and ghostly silhouettes of colossal pre-human vessels and giant floating golden and obsidian pyramids that loom briefly before vanishing.

The Submerged Green-Hued Fangs: Jagged, razor-sharp outcroppings of green-hued stone lurking just beneath the waterline to trap unwary mariners attempting to breach the mist.

The Dream-Navigator Thresholds: Ethereal pathways utilized by sorcerers and dream navigators to slip undetected between the waking oceans and the deepest tiers of the southern Dreamlands.

Rumored Dungeons, Creatures, and Treasures of The Brooding Green Grey Fogs:

The Pyramid of the Floating Mirage: A colossal, hovering golden and obsidian pyramid that drifts silently within the deepest fog banks, serving as a tomb-sanctuary for pre-human dream-kings.

Potential Creatures:

Dream-Wraith Sentinels (1d4): HD 4; AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × draining touch (1d6 energy drain); MV fly 120’ (40’); Save MU4; ML 10; AL C. Note: Immune to non-magical weapons.

Obsidian Gargoyle Automataton (1d2): HD 5; AC 3 [16]; Att 2 × claw (1d6) and 1 × bite (1d8); MV 90’ (30’), fly 150’ (50’); Save F5; ML 11; AL N.

Potential Treasures & Items:

The Dream-Glass Prism: A multi-faceted artifact carved from condensed dream-stuff; allows a magic-user to cast Project Image once per day without consuming spell slots.

Golden Sarcophagus Plate: Inscribed with pre-human star charts, valued at 1,500 gp by antiquarians.

The Sunken Sargasso of Whispering Wrecks: A massive, floating tangle of unnatural sargassos and rotting pre-human galleons trapped in a permanent, dead-calm eddy within the fog.

Potential Creatures:

Fog Tongue Tentacle Horror (1): HD 6; AC 5 [14]; Att 4 × tentacle lash (1d6 + constrict) and 1 × beak (2d4); MV swim 90’ (30’); Save F6; ML 10; AL C.

Drowned Mariner Ghouls (2d4): HD 2; AC 7 [12]; Att 2 × claw (1d3 + paralysis) and 1 × bite (1d4+2); MV 90’ (30’); Save F2; ML 9; AL C.

Potential Treasures & Items:

Compass of the Waking Dream: A brass navigational instrument that points automatically toward the user’s deepest desire rather than true north, functioning as a continuous Locate Object spell for unique artifacts.

Tear-Resin Vial: A sealed flask containing condensed human tears and ambrosia; grants immunity to fear and magical despair for 24 hours when consumed.

The Shimmering Abyssal Trench: A deep oceanic drop-off beneath the fog-line where the ocean floor glows with pale bioluminescence and ancient ruins jut out of the silt.

Potential Creatures:

Abyssal Sea-Stalkers (1d3): HD 4+1; AC 4 [15]; Att 2 × claw (1d6) and 1 × hypnotic gaze (Save vs. Spells or fall into a catatonic sleep for 1d4 turns); MV swim 120’ (40’); Save F4; ML 9; AL C.

Primordial Sea-Serpent (1): HD 8; AC 3 [16]; Att 1 × bite (3d6) and 1 × tail slam (2d4); MV swim 150’ (50’); Save F8; ML 10; AL N.

Potential Treasures & Items:

Trident of the Fog Lord: A weapon forged from greenish sea-metal (+1 trident); allows the wielder to cast Control Winds once per day while standing on or near water.

Pearl of the First Age: A fist-sized black pearl dredged from the trench floor, worth 2,000 gp or usable as a focal component for high-tier divination magic.

The Temple of the Floating Steps: A ruinous, non-Euclidean shrine suspended entirely within a stationary pocket of dense green-grey fog, defying gravity, sanity, and logic.

Potential Creatures:

Fractal Phantoms (2d3): HD 3; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × shifting edge (1d8 dimensional damage); MV fly 90’ (30’); Save MU3; ML 10; AL N.

Dreamlands Cultist Fanatics (1d4+1): HD 3; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × dagger (1d4) or spellcasting (as 3rd-level Magic-User); MV 120’ (40’); Save MU3; ML 9; AL C.

Potential Treasures & Items:

Scroll of Dimensional Shift: A fragile papyrus sheet containing the spells Dimension Door and Teleport, penned in iridescent ink.

Mask of the Dream-Navigator: A silver-filigree half-mask that allows the wearer to breathe normally within toxic fogs, vacuum, or underwater environments.

NPCs of The Brooding Green Grey Fogs:

The Veiled Dream-Navigator Chiylos

Class/Level: Magic-User 8

Alignment: Neutral (N)

Armor Class: 5 [14] (Bracers of Defense AC 5, Ring of Protection +1)

Hit Points: 24

Move: 120’ (40’) (under Fly or normal walking)

Morale: 9

XP: 1,200

Attributes: Str 8, Int 18, Wis 16, Dex 15, Con 12, Cha 14, Com 16

Attacks & Weapons: Dagger +1 (1d4+1 melee) or sling (1d4 missile).

Spells: Detect Magic, Read Magic, Shield; Invisibility, Levitate, Web; Dispel Magic, Fly, Suggestion; Dimension Door, Passwall.

Special Abilities: Can navigate safely through the magnetic anomalies of the green-grey fogs without losing course; immune to dream-induced hallucinations.

Items Carried: Bracers of Defense AC 5, Ring of Protection +1, Mask of the Dream-Navigator, scroll case with charting maps of the southern Dreamlands, pouch containing 400 gp in uncut pearls.

Captain Mara “the Bitch” Partria of the Fog Strider

Class/Level: Fighter 6

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral (CN)

Armor Class: 3 [16] (Studded leather armor and shield + Ring of Protection +1)

Hit Points: 42

Move: 90’ (30’)

Morale: 10

XP: 500

Attributes: Str 17, Int 12, Wis 11, Dex 15, Con 16, Cha 13, Com 15

Attacks & Weapons: Cutlass +2 (1d6+3 melee) or heavy crossbow (1d6 missile).

Special Abilities: Expert helmsman; specialized in navigating through thick sargassos and avoiding submerged stone fangs without hull damage.

Items Carried: Cutlass +2, studded leather armor, heavy crossbow with 20 bolts, brass spyglass with green-tinted lenses, leather pouch containing 500 gp in trade gold.

Orlan the Drowned Sage

Class/Level: Cleric 7 (Worshipper of forgotten ocean deities)

Alignment: Neutral (N)

Armor Class: 4 [15] (Chainmail + Shield)

Hit Points: 35

Move: 60’ (20’ due to heavy gear)

Morale: 9

XP: 850

Attributes: Str 11, Int 14, Wis 18, Dex 10, Con 15, Cha 12, Com 11

Attacks & Weapons: Trident +1 (1d6+1 melee) or sling (1d4 missile).

Spells: Create Water, Cure Light Wounds, Detect Magic; Find Traps, Hold Person, Silence 15’ Radius; Animate Dead, Cure Disease, Speak with Dead; Divination, Neutralize Poison.

Special Abilities: Can breathe water and communicate with aquatic creature types for up to 1 hour per day; turns undead as a 7th-level cleric.

Items Carried: Trident +1, chainmail armor, wooden holy symbol shaped like a coiled sea-serpent, vial of holy salt water, 3 sticks of calming incense.

Rumors of The Brooding Green Grey Fogs (1d8)

The Floating Pyramids: Sailors claim that the golden and obsidian pyramids drifting in the mists are actual palaces of pre-human gods detached from time, waiting for the stellar alignment to touch down.

The Nostalgic Whisper: If you listen closely to the whispering sounds within the fog, you can hear family members who died years ago calling your name from the rolling vapor.

The Dream-Navigator’s Route: Sorcerers whisper that Chiylos keeps a master chart detailing a secret underwater lock-canal that bypasses the fog barrier entirely and leads straight into the inner Dreamlands.

The Sargasso Wrecks: The rotting galleons trapped in the sargassos are filled with pre-human gold, but anyone who loiters aboard too long forgets their own name and joins the crew of Drowned Mariner Ghouls.

The Submerged Stone Fangs: The green-hued stone outcroppings beneath the waterline are actually the petrified teeth of an ancient sea titan that guards the eastern borders of the archipelago.

Captain Mara’s Compass: Captain Mara’s ship never loses its way because her compass is rigged with a captured demon dream spirit that feeds on the nightmares of her crew.

The Abyssal Trench: Deep beneath the fog banks lies a sunken temple where the air tastes of ambrosia and mortals can trade memories for forgotten spells.

The Psychological Barrier: Travelers who spend more than three consecutive days in the fogs suffer permanent waking hallucinations, believing they were born during the First Age of Mu.

Wilderness & Sea Encounters in The Brooding Green Grey Fogs

Overworld & Sea Encounters (1d8)

Fog Tongue Tentacle Horror (1): Emerging silently from the bioluminescent mists to drag a crew member overboard. HD 6; AC 5 [14]; Att 4 × tentacle lash (1d6 + constrict) and 1 × beak (2d4); MV swim 90’ (30’); Save F6; ML 10; AL C.

Drowned Mariner Ghouls (2d4): Boarding drifting vessels from the sargassos. HD 2; AC 7 [12]; Att 2 × claw (1d3 + paralysis) and 1 × bite (1d3); MV 90’ (30’); Save F2; ML 9; AL C.

Dream Wraith Sentinels (1d2): Drifting guard spirits protecting a floating obsidian artifact. HD 4; AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × draining touch (1d6 energy drain); MV fly 120’ (40’); Save MU4; ML 10; AL C.

Abyssal Dream Stalkers (1d3): Amphibious horrors hunting along the jagged outcroppings. HD 4+1; AC 4 [15]; Att 2 × claw (1d6) and 1 × hypnotic gaze (Save vs. Spells or catatonic sleep); MV swim 120’ (40’); Save F4; ML 9; AL C.

Magnetic Anomaly Squall: Sudden meteorological shift. Compasses spin uselessly and ships must make a Saving Throw vs. Death Ray or suffer 1d6 structural hull damage against hidden stone fangs.

Rogue Dream Man of Leng Navigator & Guard Escort (1 navigator + 1d4 mercenaries): Seeking lost pre-human relics in the fog. Navigator: HD 5 (HP 25); AC 7 [12]; Att 1 × dagger (1d4+1) Dreamlands Saber (1d6+4) (+2 to hit and damage)or spellcasting; Save MU4; ML 8; AL N. Mercenaries: HD 2; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × sword (1d6); ML 8; AL N.

Fractal Phantoms (1d3): Shifting, non-Euclidean manifestations drifting across the vapor. HD 3; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × shifting edge (1d8 dimensional damage); MV fly 90’ (30’); Save MU3; ML 10; AL N.

Drifting Pyramid Mirage: A fleeting vision of a colossal golden pyramid that offers temporary shelter and clean water before dissolving back into the mist. Characters resting inside recover hit points at double speed but beware the Eldritch beasts and alien beings inside.

Port & Threshold Encounters (1d6)

Smuggler Scavengers (2d8): Operating small craft along the fog’s edge to fence salvaged pre-human artifacts. HD 2; AC 7 [12]; Att 1 × shortsword (1d6); MV 120’ (40’); Save F2; ML 8; AL C.

Lost Waking World Mariners (2d4): Disoriented sailors who wandered out of Celephaïs and cannot find their way back. HD 1; AC 9 [10]; Att 1 × knife (1d4); MV 120’ (40’); Save F1; ML 6; AL N.

Cultist Fanatics (1d4+1): Worshipers of the dream stuff bleeding from the islands. HD 3; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × dagger (1d4); MV 120’ (40’); Save MU3; ML 9; AL C.

Mercenary Ship Handlers (1d4+2): Hired muscle protecting deep sea exploration vessels. HD 2; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × polearm (1d10); MV 90’ (30’); Save F2; ML 9; AL N.

Mad Oracle: Shouting prophecies about the falling pyramids and the return of the titan kings. HD 1; AC 9 [10]; Att 1 × staff (1d4); Save F1; ML 5; AL N.

Traveling Provisioner Barge (1 merchant use normal man stats + 2d4 guards): Selling fog filtering masks, waterproof gear, and sea rations. Guards: HD 1; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × sword (1d6); ML 8; AL N.

Key Vendors and Safe Havens of The Brooding Green Grey Fogs

The Fog Strider Anchorage (Safe Haven & Shipyard)

Location: Tucked into a protected, misty cove on the eastern border of the archipelago.

Proprietor: Captain Mara.

Purpose: A secure harbor where adventurers can repair fog damaged hulls, purchase specialized glass spyglasses, and hire seasoned guides who know how to navigate the anomalies without crashing on the stone fangs.

Chiylos’s Floating Scriptorium (Arcane Library & Boutique Vendor)

Location: A moored barge enchanted to remain stationary within the lighter edge of the bioluminescent mists.

Proprietor: Master Artificer and Dream-Navigator Chiylos.

Purpose: A quiet sanctuary for spellcasters to purchase scroll components, trade rare pre-human star charts, and acquire custom items like the Mask of the Dream-Navigator.

The Shrine of the Drowned Sage (Sanctuary & Healing Haven)

Location: Built upon a massive, semi-submerged vertebra-arch jutting out from the eastern fog line.

Proprietor: Orlan the Drowned Sage.

Purpose: A holy sanctuary where aquatic and divine spellcasters can rest, purchase holy salt water, receive cures for dream-induced psychological ailments, and secure blessings before venturing into the deep mists.

Unique Characteristics of Nykr Uyv’s Midbay

The Cyclopean Spires: Massive columns of green-hued stone rising straight out of the turquoise and cobalt waves like broken fingers, marking the site of grandiose pre-human coastal architecture.

The Buoyant Chartreuse Waters: Preternaturally calm yet unnaturally buoyant water that glows with a faint chartreuse luminescence during twilight hours, making surface navigation feel like floating on compressed air.

The Counter Gravity Spiral Currents: A mysterious dead center in the middle of the bay where underwater currents swirl in bizarre, counter-planet rotation spirals, strictly avoided by veteran seafarers and centaur fishermen.

The Living Cyclopean Chants: Distant, echoing chants that harmonize with the rhythmic motion of the tides, originating from fierce cyclopes dwelling in hidden coastal caves.

The Alien Celestial Reflections: On clear nights, the moon’s reflection on the water’s surface distinctly mirrors star constellations completely unknown to any modern astronomer or ancient astronomer.

The Dreamland to Arcadia Gate: A liminal maritime nexus that bridges the gap between the open oceanic reaches of the southern Dreamlands and the structured gateways leading into the lands of Arcadia.

Rumored Dungeons, Creatures, and Treasures of Nykr Uyv’s Midbay:

The Sunken Plaza of Nykr Uyv: A vast, semi-submerged municipal plaza with grand colonnades and staircases leading down into lightless ebon depths beneath the bay’s floor.

Potential Creatures:

Fierce Cyclopean Watchers (1d3): HD 7; AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × massive club (2d6+4) or boulder hurl (3d6); MV 120’ (40’); Save F7; ML 10; AL C. Note: Their single eye can cast a Cause Fear effect once per encounter.

Midbay Deep Fishmen Dwellers (2d4): HD 3; AC 5 [14]; Att 2 × claw (1d4) and 1 × trident (1d6); MV 60’ (20’), swim 120’ (40’); Save F3; ML 8; AL C.

Potential Treasures & Items:

The Cyclopean ring of Nykr Uyv: A heavy amber gem ring sized for a giant, worth 1,500 gp in raw metal or granting a human wearer +2 to Strength while worn, at the cost of -1 to Dexterity.

Tablet of the Midbay Tides: A carved slate tablet detailing ancient tidal control magic; can be used by a magic-user or cleric to cast Control Water once per week.

The Spiral Vortex Grotto: A series of air-filled underwater chambers hidden directly beneath the counter gravity spiral currents in the center of the bay.

Potential Creatures:

Vortex Spawned Elementals (1): HD 8; AC 2 [17]; Att 1 × crushing wave slam (3d6); MV swim 150’ (50’); Save F8; ML 10; AL N. Note: Takes no damage from non-magical weapons.

Siren of the Spiral (2d4): HD 3; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × hypnotic touch (Save vs. Spells or walk willingly into the vortex); MV fly 120’ (40’); Save MU3; ML 9; AL C.

Potential Treasures & Items:

Pearl of the Abyssal Currents: A swirling, iridescent pearl that allows the holder to automatically succeed on any swimming or navigation check in turbulent water twice per day.

Trident of the Vortex: A heavy sea-metal weapon (+1 trident); on a natural 20 roll, it traps the target in a miniature water vortex, rendering them unable to move or act for 2 round2.

The Cliffside Spires of the Living Cyclopes: A network of high, wind-carved caves overlooking the turquoise waters where the fierce cyclopes make their brutal tribal grounds.

Potential Creatures:

Fierce Cyclopes (1d6+3): HD 7; AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × massive club (2d6+4); MV 120’ (40’); Save F7; ML 10; AL C.

Cyclopean Hounds (2d3): HD 4; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × bite (1d8 + knockdown); MV 150’ (50’); Save F4; ML 9; AL N.

Potential Treasures & Items:

Hoard of Pre-Human Coinage: A massive stone chest containing 2,000 sp and 5000 gp minted during the first age of Mu.

Great Club of the Titankin: A massive two-handed weapon sized for giants; usable by humans only with a minimum Strength of 15, dealing 3d8 damage on a successful hit.

The Gate/Shrine of Arcadia: A submerged marble archway resting at the edge of the deep continental shelf, glowing faintly with chartreuse runes that open paths toward the inner lands of Utopeia.

Potential Creatures:

Gate Gem Guardian Constructs (1d2): HD 6; AC 3 [16]; Att 2 × heavy stone slam (1d8); MV 90’ (30’); Save F6; ML 12; AL N. Special: Immune to mind-affecting spells and illusion magic.

Arcadian Spectres (2d3): HD 4; AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × draining touch (1d6 damage plus energy drain - level & Con drain); MV fly 90’ (30’); Save MU4; ML 10; AL N.

Potential Treasures & Items:

Key of the Inner Gate: A crystalline rod that unlocks the magical barrier leading into Arcadia; highly sought after by dream-navigators and sorcerers.

Scroll of Gateway Codex: Contains the spells Teleport and Plane Shift, written in golden pre-human ink.

NPCs of Nykr Uyv’s Midbay:

Brontes the One Eyed Exile

Class/Level: Fighter 7 (Fierce Cyclops Outcast)

Alignment: Neutral (N)

Armor Class: 4 [15] (Heavy bronze breastplate and natural hide)

Hit Points: 52

Move: 120’ (40’)

Morale: 9

XP: 650

Attributes: Str 18/01, Int 10, Wis 11, Dex 12, Con 16, Cha 10, Com 7

Attacks & Weapons: Massive bronze club (2d6+5 melee) or boulder hurl (3d6 missile).

Spells: None.

Special Abilities: Can see through magical illusions and invisibility due to his singular divine eye; immune to normal fear effects.

Items Carried: Massive bronze club, bronze breastplate, pouch containing 300 gp in raw gems, leather sack with dried fish and sea-salt.

Mistress Thalassa the Tide Singer

Class/Level: Magic-User 7 / Cleric 4 ( Sea Witch Multiclass mystic)

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral (CN)

Armor Class: 5 [14] (Bracers of Defense AC 5)

Hit Points: 28

Move: 90’ (30’), swim 120’ (40’)

Morale: 9

XP: 950

Attributes: Str 8, Int 17, Wis 16, Dex 14, Con 13, Cha 15, Com 17

Attacks & Weapons: Silver dagger +1 (1d4+1 melee) or sling (1d4 missile).

Spells: Detect Magic, Light, Shield; Invisibility, Levitate; Dispel Magic, Fly; Cure Light Wounds, Find Traps, Silence 15’ Radius.

Special Abilities: Can breathe underwater indefinitely and command aquatic creatures as a high tier mystic; unaffected by the counter intuitive spiral currents.

Items Carried: Bracers of Defense AC 5, Silver Dagger +1, pearl-inlaid scroll case, ceramic vial of holy bay water, pouch with 400 gp in trade pearls.

Centaur Scout Karrath of the Midbay Rim

Class/Level: Ranger 5

Alignment: Neutral (N)

Armor Class: 5 [14] (Leather barding and natural agility)

Hit Points: 36

Move: 180’ (60’)

Morale: 9

XP: 400

Attributes: Str 16, Int 12, Wis 14, Dex 15, Con 15, Cha 12, Com 11

Attacks & Weapons: Composite longbow (1d6) or bronze spear +1 (1d6+2 melee).

Spells: None.

Special Abilities: Expert tracker along coastal cliffs and tide pools; deals double damage against giant-kin and aquatic monsters when initiating an ambush.

Items Carried: Composite longbow with 30 arrows, Bronze Spear +1, leather backpack with mapping supplies, 250 gp in mixed coinage.

Rumors of Nykr Uyv’s Midbay (1d8)

The Cyclopean Chants: Sailors say the ghostly chants echoing across the bay are actually rehearsal songs sung by the fierce cyclopes before they march down to raid coastal boats and shores.

The Spiral Vortex: The dead center of the bay where the currents swirl backward is said to be a literal drainpipe leading directly into the subterranean oceans of the underworld.

The Sunken Plaza Gold: Divers claim that the submerged municipal plaza of Nykr Uyv still houses unplundered vaults filled with pre-human gold and ancient ritual weapons.

Brontes the Exile: The cyclops Brontes is not hostile to all mortals; he trades massive pearls and titan artifacts to travelers who bring him barrels of strong human wine.

The Alien Constellations: Navigators who chart the unknown stars reflected in the bay’s surface during the equinox can magically teleport their vessel directly to the shores of Celephaïs or the planets of the solar system (Saturn/Mars).

Thalassa’s Secret Path: Mistress Thalassa knows a hidden underwater staircase that bypasses the Gate Shrine guard constructs entirely.

The Buoyant Water: The chartreuse water’s unusual buoyancy makes it impossible for a ship to sink in the midbay, though crews frequently report losing their shadows to the glowing depths.

The Gate to Arcadia: Passing through the submerged marble archway during the full moon grants absolute immunity to aging for one full year, but mortals who linger too long forget their past mortal lives.

Wilderness & Sea Encounters in Nykr Uyv’s Midbay

Overworld & Sea Encounters (1d8)

Fierce Cyclopes (1d2): Patrolling the cliffside spires or wading into the shallow surf to hunt giant sea turtles. HD 7; AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × massive club (2d6+4); MV 120’ (40’); Save F7; ML 10; AL C.

Midbay Deep Fishmen Dwellers (2d4): Emerging from the sunken plazas to ambush passing barges. HD 3; AC 5 [14]; Att 2 × claw (1d4) and 1 × trident (1d6); MV 60’ (20’), swim 120’ (40’); Save F3; ML 8; AL C.

Sirens of the Spiral (1d3): Luring sailors toward the dangerous counter gravity currents with hypnotic songs. HD 3; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × hypnotic touch (Save vs. Spells or walk into vortex); MV fly 120’ (40’); Save MU3; ML 9; AL C.

Vortex Elemental (1): A towering column of spinning water rising from the center of the bay. HD 8; AC 2 [17]; Att 1 × crushing wave slam (3d6); MV swim 150’ (50’); Save F8; ML 10; AL N.

Chartreuse Tide Surge: Sudden environmental wave anomaly. Vessels must make a Saving Throw vs. Death Ray or be tossed violently, taking 1d6 structural damage and scattering loose gear.

Centaur Scout & Patrol (1 ranger + 1d4 centaur guards): Monitoring the coastal cliffs for cyclops raiders. Ranger: HD 5 (HP 25); AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × spear (1d6); Save F5; ML 9; AL N. Guards: HD 4; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × composite bow (1d6); ML 9; AL N.

Gate Gem Guardian Construct (1): A stray stone automaton wandering away from the submerged marble archway. HD 6; AC 3 [16]; Att 2 × stone slam (1d8); MV 90’ (30’); Save F6; ML 12; AL N.

Brontes the Exile (1): Encountered sitting on a coastal boulder, carving whalebone and willing to trade information for strong spirits. HD 7 (HP 52); AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × club (2d6+4); Save F7; ML 9; AL N.

Port & Settlement Encounters (1d6)

Smugglers/Fishermen (1d3): Trading illegal titan relics and harvested pearls in hidden coves. HD 2; AC 7 [12]; Att 1 × shortsword (1d6); MV 120’ (40’); Save F2; ML 8; AL C.

Dream Navigator Pilgrims (1d4): Seeking the Gate/Shrine of Arcadia to cross into the inner isles. HD 3; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × dagger (1d4); MV 120’ (40’); Save MU3; ML 9; AL N.

Cyclopean Raiders (1d2): Scouting the lower settlements for livestock and metal tools. HD 7; AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × club (2d6+4); MV 120’ (40’); Save F7; ML 10; AL C.

Mercenary Guards (1d4+1): Protecting deep-sea treasure diving operations. HD 2; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × polearm (1d10); MV 90’ (30’); Save F2; ML 9; AL N.

Mad Hermit: Warning travelers about the counter gravity currents and the alien constellations. HD 1; AC 9 [10]; Att 1 × staff (1d4); Save F1; ML 5; AL N.

Traveling Provisioner Barge (1 merchant + 2d4 guards): Selling diving bells, waterproof wax, and rations. Guards: HD 1; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × spear (1d6); ML 8; AL N.

Key Vendors and Safe Havens of Nykr Uyv’s Midbay

The Tide Singer’s Barge (Safe Haven & Arcane Boutique)

Location: Moored securely in a sheltered turquoise cove near the cyclopean spires.

Proprietor: Mistress Thalassa.

Purpose: A floating safe haven where spellcasters can purchase scroll components, trade rare sea pearls, and acquire specialized diving gear or protective wards against underwater hazards.

Brontes’s Outlook (Neutral Ground & Trading Post)

Location: A massive limestone cave high up on the western cliffs.

Proprietor: Brontes the Exile.

Purpose: A surprisingly neutral trading spot where bold adventurers can barter alcohol and precious gems and ingots in exchange for heavy titan weapons, cyclopean currency, and insider knowledge of the cliffside cave networks.

The Centaur Rim Outpost (Safe Haven & Scouting Lodge)

Location: Tucked into the rolling green hills overlooking the bay’s northern rim.

Proprietor: Centaur Scout Karrath.

Purpose: A secure basecamp where travelers can hire expert guides, purchase high-grade composite bows and survival equipment, and secure safe passage away from the cyclops raiding paths.

Unique Characteristics of The Well of the Severn Tongue

The Multilingual Abyssal Rim: A perfectly circular shaft plunging into the primordial bedrock whose stone rim is etched with complex pre-human glyphs and archaic Muvian dialects that resist standard scholarly translation.

The Brine-Ozone Draft: A perpetual column of air venting from the pit, carrying a biting chill mixed with heavy ocean brine and ancient, electrically charged ozone.

The Sevenfold Chorus: An eerie auditory phenomenon where leaning over the crumbling stone edge exposes explorers to a chorus of multiple voices speaking simultaneously in rhythmic, overlapping cadences.

The Luminescent Green Pulses: Intermittent waves of glowing green vapors that billow upward from the shaft, casting stretching, unearthly shadows across the broken columns and surrounding ruins.

The Lunar Madness Tides: Specific lunar alignments that amplify the well’s esoteric properties, turning nearby terrain into a hazard zone where dream lucidity triggers catatonic trances, blackouts, and permanent madness.

The Dagonic Sinking Curse Shrine: A lingering theological and geological mark and sunk shrine tied to the primeval god Dagon, whose ancient rites are blamed by historians for initiating the centuries long curses of the entire archipelago.

Rumored Dungeons, Creatures, and Treasures of The Well of the Severn Tongue:

The Spiral Descent of the Seven Tongues: A grueling, spiraling stone staircase built into the interior wall of the shaft that plunges thousands of feet down toward the dark subterranean ocean.

Potential Creatures:

Deep Sea Abomination Crawlers (1d4): HD 5; AC 5 [14]; Att 2 × claw (1d6) and 1 × tentacle bite (1d8 + disease); MV 90’ (30’), swim 90’ (30’); Save F5; ML 10; AL C. Note: Their chitinous hides absorb magical energy; spells targeting them directly have a 25% chance of failing outright.

Severed Tongue Phantoms (2d3): HD 3; AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × psychic whisper (1d6 mental damage + temporary silence); MV fly 90’ (30’); Save MU3; ML 9; AL C.

Potential Treasures & Items:

The Pendant of the Severn Tongue: A silver amulet shaped like a stylized tongue covered in runes; allows the wearer to cast Tongues and Understand Languages at will, but carries a 5% cumulative chance per week of giving the wearer prophetic night terrors.

Scroll of the Subterranean Codex: Written on treated fishmen skin, containing the spells Contact Higher Plane, Contact Dagon, and Clairvoyance.

The Shrine of Dagon’s Submerged Threshold: A flooded vault at the base of the shaft where the well opens directly into the dark, crushing pressure of the undersea abyss and to Dagon’s earthly realm.

Potential Creatures:

Deep One Priests of Dagon (1d3): HD 6; AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × dagger (1d4) or spellcasting (as 6th-level Cleric); MV 90’ (30’), swim 120’ (40’); Save C6; ML 10; AL C. Spells: Cause Light Wounds, Hold Person, Animate Dead, Dispel Magic.

Abyssal Guardian Serpent (1): HD 7; AC 3 [16]; Att 1 × crushing bite (2d6 + poison) and 2 × coil (1d6 constrict); MV swim 150’ (50’); Save F7; ML 10; AL C.

Potential Treasures & Items:

Chalice of the Abyssal Tide: A heavy stone cup carved from black basalt; liquids poured into it become pure, cold spring water that cures non magical diseases once per day.

The Trident of Dagon’s Blessing: A rusted sea metal trident (+2 trident); allows the wielder to breathe underwater and communicate with deep marine monsters.

The Oracle’s Hollow Perch: A recessed ledge halfway down the shaft where ancient pre-human priestesses once inhaled the green vapors to commune with Dagon and other entities from the pit.

Potential Creatures:

Vapor Warped Cult Fanatics (2d4): HD 2; AC 7 [12]; Att 1 × sacrificial dagger (1d4 + poison); MV 120’ (40’); Save F2; ML 9; AL C. Special: Immune to poison and gas hazards.

Mist Stalker Wraith (1): HD 4; AC 3 [16]; Att 1 × draining touch (1d6 energy drain); MV fly 120’ (40’); Save MU4; ML 10; AL C.

Potential Treasures & Items:

Censer of the Green Vapor: A bronze burner that releases a cloud of hallucinogenic green smoke once per day, granting anyone who inhales it a true vision of a specific hidden treasure location within the island chain.

Tome of Lost Prophecies: A bound volume of lead foil pages detailing historical and future cataclysms, valued at 1,500 gp by high-tier sages.

The Sunken Scriptorium of the Drowning Sages: A series of air-pocketed chambers branching off the main shaft, preserved by ancient stasis fields that are slowly failing.

Potential Creatures:

Stasis Preserved Mummified Scribes (1d4): HD 4; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × withered touch (1d6 cold + slow effect); MV 60’ (20’); Save F4; ML 11; AL N.

Mechanical Sumption Watchers (1d2): HD 5; AC 3 [16]; Att 2 × metal slam (1d8); MV 60’ (20’); Save F5; ML 12; AL N.

Potential Treasures & Items:

Stasis Crystal: A glowing blue stone that freezes any object or small creature placed within 5 feet in time indefinitely; highly prized by alchemists (worth 2,000 gp).

Scroll Cylinder of the Deep Ages: Contains three high-level magic-user spells (Teleport, Massmorph, and Feeblemind).

NPCs of The Well of the Severn Tongue:

High Priestess Vora of the Sevenfold Voice

Class/Level: Cleric 8 (Worshipper of Dagon and Deep Entities)

Alignment: Chaotic Evil (CE)

Armor Class: 3 [16] (Plate mail armor + Shield + Ring of Protection +1)

Hit Points: 44

Move: 60’ (20’ due to heavy plate)

Morale: 10

XP: 1,600

Attributes: Str 12, Int 14, Wis 18, Dex 10, Con 15, Cha 14, Com 12

Attacks & Weapons: Trident of Dagon’s Blessing +2 (1d6+3 melee) or sling (1d4 missile).

Spells: Cause Light Wounds (x2), Detect Magic, Light; Find Traps, Hold Person (x2), Silence 15’ Radius; Animate Dead, Cure Disease, Protestation/Litany; Dispel Magic, Divination, Neutralize Poison.

Special Abilities: Can communicate telepathically with anyone standing within 30 feet of the well shaft; turns undead as an 8th-level cleric.

Items Carried: Trident +2, plate mail, shield, Ring of Protection +1, holy symbol carved from a giant shark tooth, pouch containing 600 gp in black pearls.

Malakor the Scrivener of Depths

Class/Level: Magic-User 7

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral (CN)

Armor Class: 5 [14] (Bracers of Defense AC 5)

Hit Points: 26

Move: 90’ (30’)

Morale: 9

XP: 900

Attributes: Str 8, Int 18, Wis 15, Dex 14, Con 12, Cha 11, Com 10

Attacks & Weapons: Silver dagger +1 (1d4+1 melee) or light crossbow (1d6 missile).

Spells: Detect Magic, Read Magic, Shield; Invisibility, Levitate, Web; Dispel Magic, Fly, Suggestion; Dimension Door, Monster Summoning IV.

Special Abilities: Specialized in translating pre human and Muvian glyphs; immune to the basic psychological panic effects of the well’s chorus.

Items Carried: Bracers of Defense AC 5, Silver Dagger +1, translation notebooks filled with charcoal rubbings, scroll case with two arcane scrolls, pouch with 350 gp in cut gems.

Centaur Warden Thallas

Class/Level: Fighter 6 (Guardian of the Rim)

Alignment: Neutral (N)

Armor Class: 4 [15] (Heavy barding and natural defense)

Hit Points: 48

Move: 180’ (60’)

Morale: 10

XP: 550

Attributes: Str 17, Int 11, Wis 14, Dex 13, Con 16, Cha 12, Com 16

Attacks & Weapons: Composite longbow (1d6) or massive two-handed sword +1 (1d10+3 melee).

Spells: None.

Special Abilities: Expert tracker; keeps vigil near the well to prevent foolish travelers from peering too long into the shaft during lunar alignments; immune to non-magical fear.

Items Carried: Composite longbow with 30 arrows, Two-Handed Sword +1, leather survival pack, flask of strong herbal tea to ward off chill vapors.

Rumors of The Well of the Severn Tongue (1d8)

The Dagonic Subsidence: Old historians claim that every time high priestess Vora performs a major ritual at the bottom of the well, another foot of the archipelago sinks beneath the waves.

The Sevenfold Chorus: If you lean over the edge during a midnight lunar alignment and hear three distinct voices reply to your thoughts, you will receive a true prophecy; if you hear seven, your soul belongs to the pit.

Malakor’s Quest: The scholar Malakor is searching for a lost Muvian text hidden at the bottom of the shaft that purportedly explains how to reverse the sinking of the islands.

The Green Vapor Trance: Inhaling the luminescent green vapors grants temporary immunity to aging, but turns the user’s eyes permanently green and clouds their waking memories.

The Abyssal Vaults: Divers who reach the flooded base of the shaft report finding sealed vaults containing pre-human treasure guarded by ancient stasis preserved automatons.

Warden Thallas’s Warning: Centaur guard Thallas swears that the well breathes like a living organism, inhaling sea water during high tide and exhaling ice cold ozone during the ebb.

The Dagger of Dagon: A sacrificial blade hidden in the oracle’s ledge is rumored to be forged from the literal frozen tongue of a cosmic entity.

The Madness Tide: Travelers who camp too close to the well rim without earplugs run the risk of walking backward into the shaft during their sleep, drawn by the overlapping cadences.

Wilderness & Settlement Encounters in The Well of the Severn Tongue

Overworld & Shaft Encounters (1d8)

Deep Pit Abomination Crawlers (1d8): Scuttling up the spiraling stone staircase from the darkness. HD 5; AC 5 [14]; Att 2 × claw (1d6) and 1 × tentacle bite (1d8); MV 90’ (30’); Save F5; ML 10; AL C.

Vapor Warped Cult Fanatics (1d4+1): Guarding the upper rim and performing midnight chants. HD 2; AC 7 [12]; Att 1 × dagger (1d4 + poison); MV 120’ (40’); Save F2; ML 9; AL C.

Mist Stalker Wraith (1): Drifting silently across the crumbling stone columns. HD 4; AC 3 [16]; Att 1 × draining touch (1d6 energy drain); MV fly 120’ (40’); Save MU4; ML 10; AL C.

Deep One Priest Patrol (1d2): Emerging from the flooded lower base to harvest sacrifices. HD 6; AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × dagger (1d4) or spellcasting; MV 90’ (30’), swim 120’ (40’); Save C6; ML 10; AL C.

Green Vapor Surge: Sudden atmospheric discharge. Characters near the rim must make a Saving Throw vs. Poison or suffer dizziness and confusion (-2 to all actions for 1d4 turns).

Centaur Warden & Patrol (1 fighter + 1d3 centaur guards): Warning travelers away from the dangerous rim during a lunar alignment. Fighter: HD 6 (HP 48); AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × sword (1d10+3); Save F6; ML 10; AL N. Guards: HD 4; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × bow (1d6); ML 9; AL N.

Severed Tongue Phantom (1): A hovering acoustic anomaly casting psychic whispers. HD 3; AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × psychic whisper (1d6 mental damage); MV fly 90’ (30’); Save MU3; ML 9; AL C.

Malakor the Scrivener (1): Encountered taking charcoal rubings of the Muvian glyphs near the rim, willing to trade lore for protection. HD 7 (HP 26); AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × dagger (1d4); Save MU7; ML 8; AL N.

Camp & Perimeter Encounters (1d6)

Cultist Smugglers (1d8): Transporting black pearls and ritual items away from the well site. HD 2; AC 7 [12]; Att 1 × shortsword (1d6); MV 120’ (40’); Save F2; ML 8; AL C.

Disoriented Pilgrims (2d4): Wanderers drawn to the well by prophetic dreams who have lost their sanity. HD 1; AC 9 [10]; Att 1 × club (1d4); MV 120’ (40’); Save F1; ML 5; AL N.

Mercenary Guards (1d4+1): Hired muscle protecting treasure seeking explorers. HD 2; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × polearm (1d10); MV 90’ (30’); Save F2; ML 9; AL N.

Dagonic Zealots (1d3): Armed fanatics looking to throw uninitiated travelers into the pit as offerings. HD 3; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × spear (1d6); MV 120’ (40’); Save F3; ML 10; AL C.

Mad Oracle: Shouting warnings about the sinking islands and the awakening of Dagon. HD 1; AC 9 [10]; Att 1 × staff (1d4); Save F1; ML 5; AL N.

Traveling Provisioner Cart (1 merchant + 2d4 guards): Selling earplugs, climbing gear, rope, and rations. Guards: HD 1; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × spear (1d6); ML 8; AL N.

Key Vendors and Safe Havens of The Well of the Severn Tongue

Malakor’s Camp Scriptorium (Safe Haven & Lore Exchange)

Location: Pitched inside a ring of ruined marble columns 100 yards from the well rim.

Proprietor: Malakor the Scrivener.

Purpose: A secure research camp where scholars and spellcasters can purchase translation keys for Muvian glyphs, scroll components, and specialized wax earplugs designed to block out the psychically dangerous chorus.

The Centaur Warden Outpost (Safe Haven & Watchtower)

Location: Tucked into a rocky depression overlooking the approaches to the well.

Proprietor: Centaur Warden Thallas.

Purpose: A secure basecamp where travelers can rest safely away from cultist patrols, purchase high grade climbing gear and composite bows, and secure reliable guides to bypass the dangerous rim zones.

The Smuggler’s Cleft (Trading Post & Black Market)

Location: A concealed sea-cave opening directly beneath the cliffside near the well.

Proprietor: A shady broker known as Silas the Four Eyed.

Purpose: A neutral black market where bold adventurers can fence black pearls recovered from the lower shaft, purchase illegal poisons, and trade for foreign magic items.

Unique Characteristics of The Molten Jade Colosseum of Ichors

The Translucent Green Amphitheater: A vast, circular stadium constructed from ancient, solid green stone that permanently hums with residual arcane energies and maintains a warm, polished touch.

The Cascading Ichor Streams: Thick, glowing rivers of chartreuse, viscous fluid—luminescent primordial lifeblood left over from the titan anatomy—that terrace down the stadium seating tiers.

Proportional Seating for Multiple Scales: Massive stone benches and risers meticulously carved to accommodate both standard humanoids and colossal, multi-limbed pre human sovereigns simultaneously.

The Sunken Arena Pit: A deep, central subterranean bowl where divine precursors historically hosted gladiatorial blood trials, theological debates, and cosmic rites.

The Acoustic Stadium Resonator: Perfect ancient acoustics that capture and amplify the distant, rhythmic grinding of the Shifting Ribs’ bronze prayer wheels into a low, pervasive stadium wide hum.

The Mutagenic Lifeblood Hazard: Raw, bubbling channels of liquid jade stone that radiate unfiltered evolutionary energy, posing severe biological risks to anyone who wades too close without magical protection.

Rumored Dungeons, Creatures, and Treasures of The Molten Jade Colosseum of Ichors:

The Sub-Arena Vaults of the First Champions: A labyrinthine complex beneath the central pit where legendary gladiators and divine champions were interred alongside their weapons.

Potential Creatures:

Jade Encrusted Skeleton Champions (1d4): HD 4; AC 3 [16]; Att 1 × ancient bronze sword (1d8+1); MV 90’ (30’); Save F4; ML 12; AL C. Note: Their bones are coated in hardened jade, granting them immunity to normal piercing weapon damage.

Ichor Glutton Ooze (1): HD 5; AC 8 [11]; Att 1 × pseudopod slam (2d4 + acid dissolution); MV 60’ (20’); Save F5; ML 10; AL N.

Potential Treasures & Items:

The Blade of the First Champion: A masterwork sword forged from green-tinged meteoric bronze (+2 sword); deals double damage against creatures of chaotic or divine origin.

Gauntlets of Titanic Might: Heavy metal bracers that increase the wearer’s Strength score to 18 if it is currently lower, but reduce dexterity checks by 1 due to their immense weight.

The Terrace of the Sylvan Revels: A series of overgrown, olive-shaded upper tiers where wild entities and divine satyr lords established hidden sanctuaries.

Potential Creatures:

Corrupted Satyr Chieftain Champion (1): HD 5; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × spear (1d8+2) or panpipe charm (Save vs. Spells or fall into a deep, euphoric sleep); MV 120’ (40’); Save F5; ML 9; AL CN.

Nymph Spawned Thorn Dryads (2d4): HD 3; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × briar whip (1d4 + entanglement); MV 90’ (30’); Save MU3; ML 8; AL N.

Potential Treasures & Items:

Panpipes of the Sylvan Host: Magical wooden pipes that allow the user to cast Charm Person or Confusion once per day when played successfully.

Wreath of the Olive Grove: A golden-leaf headpiece that grants the wearer permanent immunity to natural poisons and normal environmental heat hazards.

The High Oracle’s Imperial Box: A majestic, elevated viewing balcony overlooking the arena floor, protected by lingering stasis wards and automated defenses.

Potential Creatures:

Imperial Stone Guardian (1d2): HD 6; AC 2 [17]; Att 2 × massive fist slam (1d10); MV 60’ (20’); Save F6; ML 12; AL N. Special: Takes half damage from edge and missile weapons.

Oracle Echo Phantoms (2d3): HD 3; AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × psychic touch (1d6 mental damage); MV fly 90’ (30’); Save MU3; ML 9; AL N.

Potential Treasures & Items:

The Diadem of the Divine Architect: A crown of pure green jade, emerald, and gold; allows the wearer to cast Divination and Clairvoyance once per day without failure.

Scroll of First Age Decrees: Contains the spells Massmorph and Geas, inscribed in shimmering golden ink.

The Sluice Chambers of the Ichor Falls: Deep subterranean drainage tunnels where the glowing green lifeblood is collected, filtered, and redirected into the island’s bedrock.

Potential Creatures:

Sluice-Crawling Abominations (1d3): HD 5; AC 5 [14]; Att 2 × claw (1d6) and 1 × acid spit (1d6); MV 90’ (30’), swim 90’ (30’); Save F5; ML 9; AL C.

Mutated Pipeline Slugs (1): HD 6; AC 8 [11]; Att 1 × slugs (2d6 acid damage); MV 60’ (20’); Save F6; ML 10; AL N.

Potential Treasures & Items:

Flask of Refined Ichor: A sealed crystal container holding pure, glowing green fluid; drinking it permanently increases Constitution by 1 point (requires a Saving Throw vs. Poison to avoid temporary madness).

Valve Key of the Precursors: A heavy bronze instrument shaped like a multi-pointed star, used to control the flow of fluid through the colosseum’s drainage network (valued at 800 gp).

NPCs of The Molten Jade Colosseum of Ichors:

Master Gladiator/Trainer Crane the Scarred

Class/Level: Fighter 7

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral (CN)

Armor Class: 3 [16] (Plate mail armor and shield)

Hit Points: 50

Move: 60’ (20’ due to heavy plate)

Morale: 10

XP: 650

Attributes: Str 17, Int 11, Wis 12, Dex 13, Con 16, Cha 14, Com 11

Attacks & Weapons: Blade of the First Champion +2 (1d8+3 melee) or heavy crossbow (1d6 missile).

Spells: None.

Special Abilities: Weapon specialization in swords (+1 to hit, +2 to damage included above); expert combat tactician within enclosed arena spaces.

Items Carried: Blade of the First Champion, plate mail, shield, heavy crossbow with 20 bolts, leather pouch containing 500 gp in cut jade fragments.

High Priestess Callista of the Green Vows

Class/Level: Cleric 7 (Worshipper of First Age Life Deities)

Alignment: Neutral (N)

Armor Class: 4 [15] (Chainmail armor + Shield)

Hit Points: 36

Move: 60’ (20’ due to heavy armor)

Morale: 9

XP: 850

Attributes: Str 10, Int 13, Wis 18, Dex 11, Con 14, Cha 16, Com 17

Attacks & Weapons: Mace +1 (1d6+1 melee) or sling (1d4 missile).

Spells: Cure Light Wounds (x2), Detect Magic, Light; Find Traps, Hold Person, Silence 15’ Radius; Animate Dead, Cure Disease, Neutralize Poison; Dispel Magic, Divination.

Special Abilities: Immune to the mutagenic degradation of raw ichor exposure; turns undead as a 7th-level cleric.

Items Carried: Mace +1, chainmail, shield, holy symbol carved from green jade, vial of holy ichor-neutralizing water, 3 sticks of calming incense.

Sylvan Demigod Orpheus the Piper

Class/Level: Bard / Druid 6 (Sylvan Satyr Envoy)

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral (CN)

Armor Class: 5 [14] (Hide armor and natural agility)

Hit Points: 32

Move: 120’ (40’)

Morale: 9

XP: 700

Attributes: Str 9, Int 15, Wis 10, Dex 16, Con 12, Cha 17, Com 8

Attacks & Weapons: Silver dagger +1 (1d4+1 melee) or shortbow (1d6 missile).

Spells: Detect Magic, Entangle, Speak with Plants; Barkskin, Heat Metal, Warp Wood; Neutralize Poison, Plant Growth.

Special Abilities: Can command wild sylvan creatures and charm humanoids with musical performances; immune to magical sleep and charm effects.

Items Carried: Panpipes of the Sylvan Host, Silver Dagger +1, leather pouch with 300 gp in gold dust, carved wooden flute.

Rumors of The Molten Jade Colosseum of Ichors (1d8)

The Undefeated Champion: Legend says that the greatest gladiator of the First Age was never defeated; his spirit still haunts the sub-arena vaults, waiting to test worthy challengers in single combat.

The Ichor Mutagen: Bathing in the cascading chartreuse ichor streams grants temporary superhuman strength, but locals warn that repeated exposure slowly transforms human flesh into translucent green crystal.

Orpheus’s Music: On moonlit nights, the music of the sylvan piper Orpheus echoes through the amphitheater seats, capable of curing madness or inspiring fatal romantic trances.

The Imperial Box Vault: The high oracle’s box contains a functional pre-human stellar projector that maps out hidden treasure vaults across the entire island chain.

Trainer Crane’s Secret: Crane the Scarred guards a hidden armory beneath the stadium risers stocked with masterwork weapons forged before the breaking of Mu.

The Acoustic Hum: The low, stadium-wide humming caused by the Shifting Ribs prayer wheels can be tuned using the correct sequence of levers in the sluice chambers to open sealed sub-basements.

The Priestess’s Cure: High Priestess Callista possesses a rare salve distilled from green jade stone that can instantly cure any curse or magical mutation.

The Arena Pit Trap: Stepping into the exact center of the sunken arena pit without offering a metallic tribute initiates a teleportation trap that drops travelers straight into the sluice tunnels.

Wilderness & Settlement Encounters in The Molten Jade Colosseum of Ichors

Overworld & Arena Encounters (1d8)

Jade Encrusted Skeleton Champions (1d3): Rising from the arena sand to intercept trespassers. HD 4; AC 3 [16]; Att 1 × ancient bronze sword (1d8+1); MV 90’ (30’); Save F4; ML 12; AL C.

Corrupted Satyr Raiders (2d4): Patrolling the overgrown olive groves and upper tiers. HD 2+1; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × spear (1d6) or panpipes; MV 120’ (40’); Save F2; ML 8; AL CN.

Ichor Glutton Slugs (1): Slipping out of the cascading chartreuse streams to hunt. HD 5; AC 8 [11]; Att 1 × spit (2d4 + acid); MV 60’ (20’); Save F5; ML 10; AL N.

Imperial Stone Guardian (1): Patrolling the approach to the high oracle’s box. HD 6; AC 2 [17]; Att 2 × heavy fist slam (1d10); MV 90’ (30’); Save F6; ML 12; AL N.

Mutagenic Ichor Surge: Sudden overflow of the green lifeblood channels. Characters nearby must make a Saving Throw vs. Breath Weapons or take 1d6 acid damage and suffer temporary physical rigidity (-1 strength for 24 hours).

Gladiator/Trainer Crane & Guards (1 fighter + 1d4 mercenaries): Scouting the arena tiers for structural threats and treasure seekers. Fighter: HD 7 (HP 50); AC 3 [16]; Att 1 × sword (1d8+3); Save F7; ML 10; AL CN. Guards: HD 2; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × polearm (1d10); ML 9; AL N.

Oracle Echo Phantom (1d2): Drifting spectral remnants of ancient prognosticators. HD 3; AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × psychic touch (1d6 mental damage); MV fly 90’ (30’); Save MU3; ML 9; AL N.

Sylvan Piper Orpheus (1): Encountered playing melancholy tunes in the olive groves, willing to share lore with musically inclined travelers. Bard: HD 6 (HP 32); AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × dagger (1d4); Save F6; ML 9; AL CN.

Perimeter & Camp Encounters (1d6)

Jade-Stone Scavengers (1d3): Prospectors hacking away at the outer green stone walls to harvest crystallized fragments. HD 2; AC 7 [12]; Att 1 × shortsword (1d6); MV 120’ (40’); Save F2; ML 8; AL N.

Wandering Pilgrims (2d4): Seekers traveling to the amphitheater to witness the acoustic phenomena during full moon alignments. HD 1; AC 9 [10]; Att 1 × staff (1d4); MV 120’ (40’); Save F1; ML 6; AL N.

Cultist Fanatics (1d4): Worshipping the cascading ichor streams and seeking mutation. HD 3; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × dagger (1d4); MV 120’ (40’); Save F3; ML 10; AL C.

Mercenary Guards (1d4+1): Hired muscle protecting archaeological expedition camps. HD 2; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × sword (1d6); MV 90’ (30’); Save F2; ML 9; AL N.

Mad Prospector: Warning travelers that the colosseum is actually a living organ of a dormant titan. HD 1; AC 9 [10]; Att 1 × pickaxe (1d6); Save F1; ML 5; AL N.

Traveling Provisioner Cart (1 merchant use normal man stats + 2d4 guards): Selling acid-resistant boots, pickaxes, sealing wax, and rations. Guards: HD 1; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × spear (1d6); ML 8; AL N.

Key Vendors and Safe Havens of The Molten Jade Colosseum of Ichors

Crane’s Armory and Training Camp (Safe Haven & Equipment Outfitter)

Location: Pitched inside a vast, sheltered stone arch beneath the main stadium seating.

Proprietor: Master Gladiator/Trainer Crane.

Purpose: A secure basecamp where adventurers can purchase masterwork weapons, commission armor reinforcement against acid and Ichor exposure, and hire seasoned mercenaries for dungeon delves.

The Green Vows Shrine (Sanctuary & Healing Haven)

Location: Carved into an elevated terrace overlooking the olive groves.

Proprietor: High Priestess Callista.

Purpose: A holy sanctuary where divine spellcasters can rest safely, purchase holy water and jade-neutralizing salves, and receive cures for magical mutations and acid burns.

Orpheus’s Grove Outpost (Safe Haven & Lore Exchange)

Location: Nestled deep within the sun-dappled fruit and olive groves bordering the upper tiers.

Proprietor: Sylvan Demigod Orpheus.

Purpose: A peaceful neutral retreat where bards, druids, and scholars can rest, trade rare musical instruments and scrolls, and learn secret pathways through the amphitheater’s subterranean levels and enjoy carnal pleasures.

Unique Characteristics of The Southern Fang (Ul’thep)

The Needle Monolith: A solitary, steep stone spire jutting sharply from the southernmost edge of the archipelago, carved from dual origin green stone blending earthly rock with malleable dream stuff.

The Facade Sentinel: A towering, weather beaten statue of a majestic pre-human deity or divine sentinel carved directly into the sea-facing wall, its blind, stony eyes forever fixed on the horizon.

The Purple Lotus Vents: A perimeter ring of volcanic vents bubbling around the base of the island, releasing faint plumes of warm, purple sulfurous steam scented with the dreaded alchemical purple lotus that mingle with the salt spray.

The Twin Basalt Pillars Approach: Treacherous surrounding waters characterized by monstrous sea beasts, hidden reefs, and strong tidal currents sweeping toward the open southern entrance of the Dreamlands.

The Monolithic Whispering Oracle: An ancient legend stating that whispering a secret into the carved ear of the giant statue when Polaris, Aldebaran, and Algol align will cause the monolith to answer truthfully, at the cost of a portion of the petitioner’s immortal soul.

The Ultimate Southern Boundary: A liminal maritime marker acting as the final threshold of the Shattered Isles, guarding the exact point where the physical world dissolves into pure dreamscape.

Rumored Dungeons, Creatures, and Treasures of The Southern Fang (Ul’thep):

The Crypt of the Monolithic Heart: A subterranean sepulcher hollowed directly into the foundation beneath the giant statue, accessible only through a hidden sea-cave at the base of the monolith.

Potential Creatures:

Monolithic Sentinel Golems (1d2): HD 6; AC 2 [17]; Att 2 × heavy stone slam (1d10); MV 60’ (20’); Save F6; ML 12; AL N. Special: Immune to all non-magical weapons and mind-affecting magic.

Dream Corrupted Minotaurs (1d4): HD 6; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × gore (2d6) or bronze greataxe (1d10+4); MV 120’ (40’); Save F6; ML 10; AL C.

Potential Treasures & Items:

The Eye of the Sentinel: A fist-sized gem pulled from the statue’s socket; functions as a Crystal Ball with Clairvoyance once per day, but slowly drains the user’s charisma by 1 point per month of continuous ownership.

Greataxe of the Southern Fang: A heavy bronze two-handed weapon (+1 to hit, +3 damage against supernatural entities).

The Grotto of the Purple Lotus Vents: A network of warm, steam filled caverns honeycombing the base of the monolith where rare alchemical components flourish.

Potential Creatures:

Lotus Crazed Minotaur Berserkers (1d3): HD 6+1; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × gore (2d6) and 1 × axe (1d10); MV 120’ (40’); Save F6; ML 11; AL C. Special: Immune to fear and sleep due to the purple lotus vapors.

Sulfur Vapor Mephits (1d4): HD 3; AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × claw (1d3) or breath weapon (1d4 heat/sulfur damage); MV fly 120’ (40’); Save F3; ML 8; AL C.

Potential Treasures & Items:

Essence of Purple Lotus: Three sealed glass vials containing refined narcotic extract; can be used by an alchemist to brew potions of true vision or sold for 400 gp per vial in major markets.

Ring of Vapor Resistance: A brass band that grants the wearer complete immunity to toxic gases, sulfurous fumes, and smoke based hazards.

The Star-Align Oracle Chamber: A hidden chamber high up inside the monolith’s chest cavity, accessible only via magical flight or scaling the sheer exterior statue face.

Potential Creatures:

Star Gazer Spectres (1d2): HD 4; AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × stellar touch (1d8 cold/cosmic damage); MV fly 90’ (30’); Save MU4; ML 10; AL N.

Minotaur Chieftain of the Fang (1): HD 7; AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × massive gore (2d6+2) or greataxe (1d10+4); MV 120’ (40’); Save F7; ML 10; AL C.

Potential Treasures & Items:

Astrolabe of the Outer Spheres: An intricate brass navigational instrument encrusted with star rubies; allows a spellcaster to cast Contact Higher Plane with a +2 bonus to success.

Tome of Stellar Alignments: A bound leather volume charting historical conjunctions of Polaris, Aldebaran, and Algol, valued at 1,200 gp by scholars.

The Sunken Trench of the Southern Gateway: The deep oceanic drop off between the Southern Fang and the Twin Basalt Pillars where the physical ocean meets the Dreamlands.

Potential Creatures:

Dreamlands Sea-Dwellers (2d4): HD 4; AC 5 [14]; Att 2 × claw (1d6) and 1 × trident (1d6); MV 30’ (10’), swim 120’ (40’); Save F4; ML 9; AL C.

Colossal Gate Sea Serpent (1): HD 8; AC 3 [16]; Att 1 × bite (3d6) and 1 × tail coil (2d4 constrict); MV swim 150’ (50’); Save F8; ML 10; AL N.

Potential Treasures & Items:

Trident of the Gateway: A shimmering sea-metal weapon (+2 trident); allows the wielder to open temporary water air (oxygen) spheres underwater and command aquatic monsters.

Pearl of the Dream Threshold: A glowing iridescent pearl that protects the holder from psychological damage and memory loss while crossing into the Dreamlands.

NPCs of The Southern Fang (Ul’thep):

Asterius the Minotaur Sage of the Fang

Class/Level: Fighter 7 / Magic-User 4 (Mutated Minotaur Outcast)

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral (CN)

Armor Class: 3 [16] (Heavy bronze breastplate and natural hide)

Hit Points: 55

Move: 120’ (40’)

Morale: 10

XP: 900

Attributes: Str 18, Int 15, Wis 16, Dex 11, Con 16, Cha 12, Com 9

Attacks & Weapons: Greataxe of the Southern Fang +1 (1d10+5 melee) or heavy crossbow (1d6 missile).

Spells: Shield, Invisibility, Levitate; Dispel Magic, Fly.

Special Abilities: Possesses absolute navigational memory of the southern ocean routes and Dreamland thresholds; immune to the madness of the purple lotus vapors.

Items Carried: Greataxe of the Southern Fang, bronze breastplate, pouch containing 400 gp in star rubies, scroll case with astral charts.

High Priestess Nyx of the Monolith

Class/Level: Cleric 7 (Worshipper of Pre-Human Cosmic Entities)

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral (CN)

Armor Class: 4 [15] (Chainmail armor + Shield + Ring of Protection +1)

Hit Points: 38

Move: 60’ (20’ due to heavy armor)

Morale: 9

XP: 850

Attributes: Str 10, Int 14, Wis 18, Dex 12, Con 14, Cha 15, Com 16

Attacks & Weapons: Mace +1 (1d6+1 melee) or sling (1d4 missile).

Spells: Cause Light Wounds, Detect Magic, Light; Find Traps, Hold Person, Silence 15’ Radius; Animate Dead, Cure Disease, Protestation/Litany; Dispel Magic, Divination.

Special Abilities: Can perform the soul bargain ritual at the statue’s ear during star alignments; turns undead as a 7th-level cleric.

Items Carried: Mace +1, chainmail, shield, Ring of Protection +1, ceramic censer of purple lotus resin, holy symbol carved from black basalt.

Dream-Navigator Captain Varis of the Star Sailer

Class/Level: Fighter 6 / Magic-User 3

Alignment: Neutral (N)

Armor Class: 5 [14] (Bracers of Defense AC 5)

Hit Points: 40

Move: 90’ (30’), swim 120’ (40’)

Morale: 9

XP: 750

Attributes: Str 12, Int 16, Wis 14, Dex 15, Con 14, Cha 14, Com 9

Attacks & Weapons: Silver dagger +1 (1d4+1 melee) or composite bow (1d6 missile).

Spells: Detect Magic, Read Magic, Shield; Invisibility, Levitate.

Special Abilities: Can thread the dangerous currents between the Southern Fang and the Twin Basalt Pillars without navigational penalties; immune to sleep and charm spells.

Items Carried: Bracers of Defense AC 5, Silver Dagger +1, astrolabe, leather map case filled with charts of the southern Dreamlands, pouch with 350 gp.

Rumors of The Southern Fang (Ul’thep) (1d8)

The Soul-Bargain: Whispering a question into the giant statue’s ear during the alignment of Polaris, Aldebaran, and Algol guarantees an absolute truth, but those who pay with their entire soul become stone guardians of the monolith within a year.

Asterius the Minotaur Sage: Unlike his feral kin, the minotaur Asterius dwells in the upper chambers of the monolith and trades rare stellar maps to travelers who bring him fine wine, gold, gems, and metal ingots.

The Purple Lotus Vents: Inhaling the warm purple steam bubbling up from the base of the island grants vivid prophetic dreams, but chronic exposure robs a mortal of their free will.

The Twin Basalt Pillars: Sailing past the Southern Fang and threading the Twin Basalt Pillars is the only known maritime route that physically enters the waking Dreamlands without requiring sleep.

High Priestess Nyx’s Ritual: Nyx guards the monolith’s inner crypts, ensuring that no unauthorized treasure hunter disturbs the pre-human kings interred beneath the statue.

The Sentinel’s Eye: Removing the magical gem from the statue’s stone eye socket is said to awaken the monolithic golem guards across the entire island chain.

The Star Gazer Spectres: Navigators anchoring too close to the Southern Fang at midnight report seeing ghostly lights dancing across the statue’s crown, charting paths to sunken Mu.

The Lonely Silence: The profound silence surrounding the fang is not natural; sorcerers claim the monolith absorbs all ambient sound to feed its predictive computations.

Wilderness & Sea Encounters in The Southern Fang (Ul’thep)

Overworld & Sea Encounters (1d8)

Dream Corrupted Minotaurs (1d3): Patrolling the rocky base and rugged stone paths of the monolith. HD 6; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × gore (2d6) or greataxe (1d10+4); MV 120’ (40’); Save F6; ML 10; AL C.

Sulfur Vapor Mephits (1d4): Swarming around the bubbling purple lotus vents. HD 3; AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × claw (1d3) or heat/sulfur breath (1d4); MV fly 120’ (40’); Save F3; ML 8; AL C.

Monolithic Sentinel Golem (1): A waking stone automaton patrolling the crypt entrance. HD 6; AC 2 [17]; Att 2 × heavy stone slam (1d10); MV 60’ (20’); Save F6; ML 12; AL N.

Dreamlands Sea Dwellers (2d4): Emerging from the southern trench to intercept boats. HD 4; AC 5 [14]; Att 2 × claw (1d6) and 1 × trident (1d6); MV 30’ (10’), swim 120’ (40’); Save F4; ML 9; AL C.

Purple Lotus Vapor Surge: Sudden atmospheric discharge. Characters near the base must make a Saving Throw vs. Poison or fall into a lethargic, dream-filled stupor for 1d4 turns (-4 to all actions).

Navigator Varis & Guard Escort (1 navigator + 1d4 mercenaries): Mapping the southern currents near the Dreamland threshold. Navigator: HD 6 (HP 40); AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × dagger (1d4); Save F6; ML 9; AL N. Mercenaries: HD 2; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × sword (1d6); ML 8; AL N.

Star Gazer Spectre (1d2): Drifting spectral entities manifesting during stellar alignments. HD 4; AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × stellar touch (1d8 cold/cosmic damage); MV fly 90’ (30’); Save MU4; ML 10; AL N.

Asterius the Minotaur Sage (1): Encountered walking the upper ledges, willing to trade star charts for alcohol, gold, gems, or rare metal ore. Fighter/MU: HD 7 (HP 55); AC 3 [16]; Att 1 × axe (1d10+5); Save F7; ML 10; AL CN.

Perimeter & Camp Encounters (1d6)

Purple Lotus Smugglers (1d3): Illegally harvesting narcotic resin from the warm volcanic vents. HD 2; AC 7 [12]; Att 1 × shortsword (1d6); MV 120’ (40’); Save F2; ML 8; AL C.

Lost Dream Pilgrims (2d4): Wanderers who sailed too close to the Dreamland threshold and lost their sense of reality. HD 1; AC 9 [10]; Att 1 × knife (1d4); MV 120’ (40’); Save F1; ML 5; AL N.

Cultist Fanatics of Nyx (1d4): Worshipping at the monolith’s base and preparing sacrificial offerings. HD 3; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × dagger (1d4); MV 120’ (40’); Save F3; ML 10; AL C.

Mercenary Guards (1d4+1): Hired muscle protecting treasure-seeking expedition camps. HD 2; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × polearm (1d10); MV 90’ (30’); Save F2; ML 9; AL N.

Mad Sailor: Rambling about the statue whispering secrets that drive men insane. HD 1; AC 9 [10]; Att 1 × club (1d4); Save F1; ML 5; AL N.

Traveling Provisioner Barge (1 merchant use normal mam stats + 2d4 guards): Selling gas masks, climbing gear, stellar charts, and rations. Guards: HD 1; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × spear (1d6); ML 8; AL N.

Key Vendors and Safe Havens of The Southern Fang (Ul’thep)

Asterius’s High Ledge Observatory (Safe Haven & Lore Exchange)

Location: A wide stone cave carved into the upper shoulders of the giant monolith.

Proprietor: Asterius the Minotaur Sage.

Purpose: A secure, elevated safe house where brave explorers can trade fine wine and metal for expert stellar charts, safe passage advice through the southern currents, and rare pre-human relics.

The Monolith Shrine of Nyx (Sanctuary & Soul-Bargain Station)

Location: Sheltered within the cavernous base of the sea facing statue.

Proprietor: High Priestess Nyx.

Purpose: A holy sanctuary where divine spellcasters can rest, purchase purple lotus anti-toxins and healing salves, and prepare for the midnight star-alignment rituals.

Varis’s Star Sailer Anchorage (Safe Haven & Shipyard)

Location: Tucked into a hidden, fog-shielded cove on the leeward side of the Southern Fang.

Proprietor: Dream-Navigator Varis.

Purpose: A secure harbor where mariners can repair hull damage from southern reefs, purchase specialized Dreamland navigational instruments, and hire veteran pilots for the trip through the Twin Basalt Pillars.

Unique Characteristics of Corruption

The Warped Dream-Stones: Twisted, bulbous outgrowths of green and red hued dream stones that pulse erratically with a sickly, alien, god touched luminescence.

The Tartarean Vent Fumes: Continuous, hissing volcanic vents across the fractured terrain expelling toxic black smoke from the deepest pits of Tartarus that mingles heavily with the surrounding grey fogs.

The Mutated Bio Fringe: Grotesque expansions of multi-tentacled flora and mutated native fauna sprawling across the blackened earth, thriving entirely on titan imbued arcane energies and hellish Tartarean fallout.

Wild Magic Storms & Non-Euclidean Geometries: Complete breakdown of ancient pre-human and divine spellcraft, replaced by volatile wild magic tempests and warped spatial geometries that induce severe madness.

The Floating Corrupted Shards: Newly formed, jagged green and red stone fragments that float untethered in the air above the blighted landscape, defying gravity through corrupted arcane power.

The Discordant Divine Echoes: Ghostly, distorted vocal remnants of ancient gods and titans reverberating through the corrupted canyons, warped permanently into discordant, sanity-testing shrieks.

Rumored Dungeons, Creatures, and Treasures of Corruption:

The Sinking Spire of Tartarean Fallout: A half-submerged obsidian tower tilted at an impossible angle into the corrupted earth, housing the remnants of a primordial containment vault.

Potential Creatures:

Tartarean Devil Void Spawn (1d3): HD 6; AC 3 [16]; Att 2 × tentacle slam (1d8 + reality distortion) and 1 × entropy bite (2d4); MV 90’ (30’), fly 90’ (30’); Save F6; ML 11; AL C. Note: Spells cast within 30 feet of them trigger a Wild Magic Surge on a roll of 1-3 on a d6.

Corrupted Geometry Phantoms (2d4): HD 4; AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × non-Euclidean edge (1d8 dimensional damage); MV fly 120’ (40’); Save MU4; ML 10; AL C.

Potential Treasures & Items:

The Prism of Entropic Control: A fractured red and green gemstone that allows a magic-user to manipulate gravity or cast Levitate at will, but carries a cumulative 2% chance per use of triggering a permanent mutation.

Tome of Tartarean Formulas: Encrypted in bleeding ink, containing the spells Chaos and Prismatic Wall.

The Floating Shard Cluster: A collection of gravity-defying green and red stone fragments hovering above a boiling sulfur crater, accessible only by flight or magical tethering.

Potential Creatures:

Shard Winged Predators (1d4): HD 5; AC 5 [14]; Att 2 × razor wing slash (1d6) and 1 × beak (1d8); MV fly 150’ (50’); Save F5; ML 10; AL N.

Mutated Demon Void Stalker (1): HD 7; AC 4 [15]; Att 4 × tentacle lash (1d6 + acid) and 1 × central eye blast (ray of madness, Save vs. Spells or confused for 1d6 turns); MV 90’ (30’), fly 90’ (30’); Save F7; ML 11; AL C.

Potential Treasures & Items:

Core Shard of Anti-Gravity: A fist-sized floating green stone that can lift up to 500 pounds of weight when activated by a command word.

Ring of Tartarean Ward: A twisted red-iron band that grants immunity to wild magic surges and spatial disorientation effects.

The Canyon of Discordant Echoes: A deep, jagged fault line where the air shimmers with heat haze and the ghostly, warped shrieks of ancient deities echo constantly.

Potential Creatures:

Echo-Warped Madmen (2d4): HD 3; AC 7 [12]; Att 1 × jagged weapon (1d6 + madness touch); MV 120’ (40’); Save F3; ML 8; AL C. Special: Immune to mind-affecting illusions and charm spells.

Tartarean Hell Hound Swarm (1d3): HD 5; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × corrosive bite (2d4 + acid); MV 120’ (40’); Save F5; ML 10; AL C.

Potential Treasures & Items:

Amulet of the Discordant Voice: A silver pendant shaped like an open ear; allows the wearer to cast Confusion or Silence 15’ Radius once per day.

Pouch of Corrupted Dream Stones: Twelve glowing red and green stones worth 100 gp each to alchemists, or usable as volatile components for high-risk spellcasting.

The Sunken Altar of the Undoing: A subterranean vault buried beneath toxic black vents where ancient sorcerers attempted to unmake a portion of the island chain.

Potential Creatures:

Undoing Constructs (1d2): HD 6; AC 2 [17]; Att 2 × crushing slam (1d10 + disintegration chance on natural 20); MV 60’ (20’); Save F6; ML 12; AL N.

Priest of the Void (1): HD 7; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × dagger (1d4) or spellcasting (as 7th-level Magic-User/Cleric mix); MV 90’ (30’); Save MU7; ML 10; AL C. Spells: Cause Serious Wounds, Dispel Magic, Ice Storm, Teleport.

Potential Treasures & Items:

The Null Blade: A sword forged from pure non-existent/physical void metal-dark-energy (+2 weapon); ignores non-magical armor entirely and disrupts magical force fields.

The Codex of Unmaking: A lead-bound manuscript detailing the metaphysics of reality dissolution, valued at 2,500 gp by forbidden-lore scholars.

NPCs of Corruption:

Xanthor the Flayed Sage

Class/Level: Magic-User 8 / Cleric 4 (Mutated Hermit Exile)

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral (CN)

Armor Class: 5 [14] (Bracers of Defense AC 5)

Hit Points: 29

Move: 90’ (30’)

Morale: 10

XP: 1,400

Attributes: Str 7, Int 18, Wis 16, Dex 14, Con 11, Cha 10, Com 6

Attacks & Weapons: Dagger of the Void +1 (1d4+1 melee) or sling (1d4 missile).

Spells: Detect Magic, Shield, Magic Missile; Invisibility, Web, Levitate; Dispel Magic, Fly, Lightning Bolt; Dimension Door, Feeblemind; Cure Light Wounds, Hold Person.

Special Abilities: Immune to the madness-inducing non-Euclidean geometries of Corruption due to his own severe physical and mental fractures; can safely navigate wild magic zones without backlash.

Items Carried: Bracers of Defense AC 5, Dagger of the Void, parchment scrolls written in blood, pouch containing 500 gp in corrupted dream-stones.

Commander Skalen of the Iron Bastion

Class/Level: Fighter 7

Alignment: Neutral (N)

Armor Class: 2 [17] (Plate mail armor + Shield + Ring of Protection +1)

Hit Points: 54

Move: 60’ (20’ due to heavy plate)

Morale: 10

XP: 700

Attributes: Str 17, Int 11, Wis 13, Dex 12, Con 16, Cha 13, Com 13

Attacks & Weapons: Null-Blade +2 (1d8+4 melee) or heavy crossbow (1d6 missile).

Spells: None.

Special Abilities: Weapon specialization in swords (+1 to hit, +2 damage included above); leads a permanent containment patrol along the border of Corruption to stop mutant spillover.

Items Carried: Null-Blade, plate mail, shield, Ring of Protection +1, heavy crossbow with 20 bolts, pouch with 400 gp in trade gold.

Morrigan the Void-Touched Seer

Class/Level: Druid / Mystic 6

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral (CN)

Armor Class: 4 [15] (Mutated natural hide armor)

Hit Points: 35

Move: 120’ (40’)

Morale: 9

XP: 800

Attributes: Str 10, Int 14, Wis 17, Dex 15, Con 13, Cha 15, Com 13

Attacks & Weapons: Silver staff +1 (1d6+1 melee) or sling (1d4 missile).

Spells: Entangle, Speak with Plants, Faerie Fire; Barkskin, Heat Metal, Warp Wood; Neutralize Poison, Plant Growth.

Special Abilities: Can command mutated flora and communicate with Tartarean entities; immune to toxic volcanic vent gases.

Items Carried: Silver Staff +1, vials of purified vent-water, pouch with 300 gp in uncut jade and red stone fragments.

Rumors of Corruption (1d8)

The Reality Tear: Locals whisper that the Corruption zone is expanding by an inch every year, and if it reaches the center of the archipelago, the entire island chain will dissolve into nothingness.

Xanthor’s Sanity: The hermit Xanthor traded his physical skin and normal appearance to the void in exchange for the ability to predict wild magic storms before they strike.

The Floating Shards: Adventurers who manage to mine the floating green and red stone fragments can use them to build anti-gravity skyships, but the stones slowly warp the pilot’s minds.

Commander Skalen’s Guard: Commander Skalen maintains a hidden checkpoint at the border to prevent greedy treasure hunters from bringing cursed Tartarean artifacts back into populated towns.

The Discordant Shrieks: Listening too closely to the ghostly vocal echoes in the canyons during a full moon will cause a mortal to permanently forget their own childhood.

The Null-Blade: Buried beneath the Sunken Altar of the Undoing is a sword forged from absolute nothingness that can sever any magical bond or spell effect instantly.

The Mutated Fauna: The multi-tentacled beasts roaming the blackened earth are actually ancient pre-human pets twisted by the raw evolutionary energy of the primordial lifeblood.

The Tartarean Vent Fumes: Inhaling the black smoke expelled from the deepest vents grants temporary resistance to magical fire, but induces violent, uncontrollable muscle spasms.

Wilderness & Hazard Encounters in Corruption

Overworld & Hazard Encounters (1d8)

Tartarean Void Spawn (1d2): Emerging from a toxic black vent to hunt trespassers. HD 6; AC 3 [16]; Att 2 × tentacle slam (1d8) and 1 × entropy bite (2d4); MV 90’ (30’); Save F6; ML 11; AL C.

Shard Winged Predators (1d3): Diving down from the floating green and red stone fragments. HD 5; AC 5 [14]; Att 2 × wing slash (1d6) and 1 × beak (1d8); MV fly 150’ (50’); Save F5; ML 10; AL N.

Echo-Warped Madmen (2d4): Deranged survivors wandering the corrupted canyons. HD 3; AC 7 [12]; Att 1 × jagged weapon (1d6); MV 120’ (40’); Save F3; ML 8; AL C.

Mutated Devil Void Stalker (1): A towering, multi-tentacled horror stalking the blackened earth. HD 7; AC 4 [15]; Att 4 × tentacle lash (1d6 + acid); MV 90’ (30’); Save F7; ML 11; AL C.

Wild Magic Storm Surge: Sudden meteorological and arcane anomaly. All active spellcasters must make a Saving Throw vs. Spells or suffer a Wild Magic Surge; non-casters take 1d6 force damage from erratic energy arcs.

Commander Skalen & Border Patrol (1 fighter + 1d4 mercenary guards): Monitoring the perimeter of the blight zone. Fighter: HD 7 (HP 54); AC 2 [17]; Att 1 × sword (1d8+4); Save F7; ML 10; AL N. Guards: HD 2; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × polearm (1d10); ML 9; AL N.

Geometric Phantom (1d2): Shifting spatial anomalies drifting across the tainted terrain. HD 4; AC 4 [15]; Att 1 × dimensional edge (1d8 damage); MV fly 90’ (30’); Save MU4; ML 10; AL C.

Xanthor the Flayed Sage (1): Encountered wandering near a boiling sulfur vent, willing to trade warnings about wild magic for food or clean water. Magic-User: HD 8 (HP 29); AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × dagger (1d4); Save MU8; ML 9; AL CN.

Border & Camp Encounters (1d6)

Desperate Scavengers (1d3): Prospectors risking their lives to harvest floating shard fragments for black-market sale. HD 2; AC 7 [12]; Att 1 × shortsword (1d6); MV 120’ (40’); Save F2; ML 8; AL C.

Lost Cult Pilgrims (2d4): Fanatics seeking total transformation in the Tartarean vents. HD 1; AC 9 [10]; Att 1 × knife (1d4); MV 120’ (40’); Save F1; ML 5; AL C.

Mutant Hunters (1d4): Mercenaries tracking escaped creatures from the corruption zone. HD 3; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × crossbow (1d6); MV 120’ (40’); Save F3; ML 9; AL N.

Border Guards (1d4+1): Enforcing quarantine lines under Commander Skalen’s orders. HD 2; AC 5 [14]; Att 1 × spear (1d6); MV 90’ (30’); Save F2; ML 9; AL N.

Mad Prophet: Warning travelers that the entire archipelago is tilting toward the void. HD 1; AC 9 [10]; Att 1 × staff (1d4); Save F1; ML 5; AL N.

Traveling Provisioner Cart (1 merchant use normal man stats + 2d4 guards): Selling gas masks, anti-toxins, containment jars, and rations. Guards: HD 1; AC 6 [13]; Att 1 × spear (1d6); ML 8; AL N.

Key Vendors and Safe Havens of Corruption

Skalen’s Iron Bastion Checkpoint (Safe Haven & Border Outpost)

Location: Perched on a fortified rocky ridge just outside the blight line.

Proprietor: Commander Skalen.

Purpose: A heavily fortified basecamp where adventurers can purchase gas masks, anti-toxins, heavy reinforcement gear, and secure baseline medical treatment for wild magic exposure or acid burns.

Xanthor’s Vent-Side Observatory (Safe Haven & Lore Exchange)

Location: A shielded stone lean-to built near a stable, non-toxic steam vent.

Proprietor: Xanthor the Flayed Sage.

Purpose: A precarious safe house where brave scholars and spellcasters can trade rare spell components, purchase maps of stable paths through the non-Euclidean canyons, and learn arcane protections against wild magic.

Morrigan’s Grove Outpost (Safe Haven & Mutant Refuge)

Location: Tucked within a ring of bizarre, mutated flora on the outer edge of the corruption zone.

Proprietor: Morrigan the Void-Touched Seer.

Purpose: A secluded sanctuary where naturalists, druids, and afflicted travelers can rest safely, purchase herbal remedies derived from mutated plants, and secure guides for safe passage through the tainted fringe.

So there we are. A mythical location in my Veiled Echoes of Future Past in Neverwhere setting. Check out my published work in Mad Scribe Magazine issues 13-15. You can find these and the upcoming issues I will be featured as well here. Till next time, keep those dice rolling and the imagination going.

I recall the blind priest of the Seventh Celestial Vault telling me as he poured acid into the locks of an ancient, screaming door lock guardian: ‘Child, you think you are discovering new worlds, but you are only unearthing the olden teeth of the cosmos. Every Gartellian Savage, every Void Stalker, every waking thing that whos veins pulses like the light of a dead sun. These are the discarded by the architects of existence because they refused to die when their time expired.’ They are the unwanted residue of the universe, the things that were too hungry for the void to ingest, and now, they have found a doorway in to our worlds. Do not think of them as inhabitants of this system or that. Think of them as debts coming due, and every time you pull a piece of their tech or forbidden lore from the alien dirt, you are simply calling out your location to an army that has no name, no master, and absolutely no intention of leaving any survivors behind.”

— Recovered from a data-shard found in the hands of the desiccated husk of Pilot Joram the Star Bane, deep beneath the Martian crust. - 2912 A.E.

“Heed the warning of the voids, seeker, for the silence of the vacuum is not empty it is merely holding its breath. Long before the ignition of the first Hyper-Pulse transmitters, when the First Ones cast their dying embers into the Outer Dark, they birthed horrors that know no orbit, no star, and no mercy. They are the flotsam of a thousand shattered heavens, the predatory echoes that drifted from the Xyr-Vaal and the burning voids of Andromeda to find harbor in our fertile worlds. Whether wrought of screaming circuitry or wet, blasphemous evolution, they are the unwanted thoughts of the universe the entities that the Great Architects attempted to excise from existence, only to find them festering in the foundations of this world or that. Tread lightly upon the splintered, weakened seams of our reality, for you do not walk upon a planet; you tread upon a dormant cage. And the locks, rusted by eons of neglect, are beginning to groan under the weight of things that have forgotten the meaning of ‘death’ and have learned only the cold, sharp hunger of their ‘reclamation.’”

— From the decrypted transmissions of the Star-Seeker Vultarmon, found echoing in the derelict signal-towers of the Obsidian Coil. - 2689 A.E. — The Year of the Obsidian Glow

I have in the past posted on this blog various beast(s) that inhabit my homebrew weird science fiction fantasy game. It’s high time I shared more of these with everyone here on my Substack. Today we will be looking at those monsters that are of an extraterrestrial bent. I am presenting these in D&D, BX/OSE format as these are easily recognizable to almost everyone in the hobby, and they are easily hacked and/or converted to your TTRPG system of choice. While these creatures are not native to the core planet(s) of the game setting (they are alien life forms), they are nevertheless very present and important in the game setting. Let’s get started. With luck, your player characters in your own games at your own tables will be able to best and survive encounters with them.

1. Gartellian Savage

A massive, scaly bipedal apex predator native to the high-gravity jungles of Mantella-Prime. These tribal warriors possess a rigid, if savage, honor code. They are highly sought after by collectors and slavers for their ability to thrive in crushing atmospheric pressures and their immense physical durability.

Stat Details

• Armor Class: 5 [14]

• Hit Dice: 4 (18 hp)

• Attacks: 2 × claw (1d6), 1 × bite (1d8)

• THAC0: 16 [+3]

• Movement: 120’

• Saving Throws: Fighter 3

• Morale: 9

• Alignment: Neutral

• XP Value: 257

• Treasure Type: Nil (or tribal trinkets: 1d6 × 10 gp)

Attributes STR 17, DEX 12, CON 15, INT 8, WIS 10, CHA 6, COM 4

Special Abilities

• Gravity Resilience: Immune to movement penalties from heavy-gravity magical or environmental effects.

• Ritualistic Frenzy: If reduced below 5 HP, the creature gains +2 to hit and an extra claw attack per round until slain.

  

2. Phr-Tahl Behemoth

A towering, multi-limbed behemoth from the radiation-scorched badlands of Kiatan-Minor. Its hide is composed of biological steel plating evolved to endure constant electromagnetic storms. They move with a rhythmic, devastating gait, often shaking the very ground they walk upon.

Stat Details

• Armor Class: 3 [16]

• Hit Dice: 5 (22 hp)

• Attacks: 2 × forlimbs (2d10), 1 × trample (1d6)

• THAC0: 15 [+4]

• Movement: 150’

• Saving Throws: Fighter 5

• Morale: 10

• Alignment: Chaotic

• XP Value: 500

• Treasure Type: Nil

Attributes STR 18, DEX 14, CON 16, INT 6, WIS 8, CHA 5, COM 4

Special Abilities

• Radiation Aura: Anyone in melee range must Save vs. Poison or suffer 1d4 damage per round from ionizing particles.

• Electromagnetic Feedback: Resistant to energy/plasma-based weaponry. Laser and all energy weapons fire does only half damage.

  

3. Zenett-Larva

A vile, slug-like parasite from the acidic swamps of Talylos-IV. These creatures dwell in dark, humid crawlspaces, exhaling neurotoxic vapors. They hunt in packs, utilizing a rudimentary hive-mind to overwhelm prey through sheer numbers and relentless corrosion.

Stat Details

• Armor Class: 7 [12]

• Hit Dice: 2 (9 hp)

• Attacks: 1 × bite (1d4 + acid)

• THAC0: 18 [+1]

• Movement: 90’ (Burrowing 30’)

• Saving Throws: Fighter 1

• Morale: 7

• Alignment: Neutral

• XP Value: 25

• Treasure Type: Nil

Attributes STR 10, DEX 16, CON 14, INT 3, WIS 9, CHA 3, COM 2

Special Abilities

• Acidic Bite: Successful bites deal an additional 1d4 damage for 2 rounds as the acid eats through gear and flesh.

• Hive Sense: Communicate telepathically within 60’. If one is harmed, all within range are immediately alerted.

  

4. Chrrrk

An ethereal, multi-limbed entity drifting through the dense methane clouds of the gas giant Chrr-III. Composed of semi-solidified gas and bioluminescent filaments, this creature manipulates atmospheric pressure to hover, often appearing to surface-dwellers as a sentient, localized storm-front.

Stat Details

• Armor Class: 3 [16]

• Hit Dice: 4 (18 hp)

• Attacks: 1 × electrical discharge (1d10)

• THAC0: 16 [+3]

• Movement: 0’ (Fly 120’)

• Saving Throws: Fighter 3

• Morale: 8

• Alignment: Chaotic

• XP Value: 175

• Treasure Type: 1d6 power cells

Attributes STR 10, DEX 18, CON 12, INT 14, WIS 12, CHA 8, COM 9

Special Abilities

• Ionic Cloud: Anyone striking this creature with a metal weapon must Save vs. Paralysis or be shocked (weapon dropped).

• Pressure Manipulation: Once per day, it can exert high pressure, acting as a Slow spell (Save vs. Spells) on all within 20’.

• Incorporeal Drift: Immune to non-magical projectiles.

  

5. Mrlithatanaul Ravager

A living crystalline monstrosity native to the vacuum-exposed, jagged peaks of Aethel-Delta. Its body is a fusion of living quartz and iron, evolved to survive in extreme cold. It feeds hungrily on the geothermal energy emitted by the planet’s shifting crust.

Stat Details

• Armor Class: 2 [17]

• Hit Dice: 7 (31 hp)

• Attacks: 2 × crystalline fists (2d6)

• THAC0: 13 [+6]

• Movement: 60’

• Saving Throws: Fighter 7

• Morale: 11

• Alignment: Neutral

• XP Value: 850

• Treasure Type: C (Gemstones worth 1d10 × 100 gp)

Attributes STR 19, DEX 8, CON 18, INT 6, WIS 10, CHA 4, COM 5

Special Abilities

• Refractive Hide: Energy-based weapons have a 50% chance to reflect back at the attacker.

• Crystal Pulse Blasts: Every 1d6 rounds, it can slam its fists into the ground. All within 30’ must Save vs. Paralysis or fall prone.

• Vacuum Hardened: Needs no air; immune to gas, poison, and suffocation.

  

  6. Haujek

A scavenger and repair construct haunting the gravity defying ruins of Jex-Sector 9. It is a jagged mass of cables, rusted plating, and sensory optics, driven by a fractured logic core that compels it to “repair” organic life by replacing “faulty” limbs with scavenged scrap metal or robotic parts.

Stat Details

• Armor Class: 4 [15]

• Hit Dice: 5 (22 hp)

• Attacks: 1 × scrap-welder (2d6 + special)

• THAC0: 15 [+4]

• Movement: 90’

• Saving Throws: Fighter 5

• Morale: 12

• Alignment: Lawful (Perverted)

• XP Value: 300

• Treasure Type: 1d4 tech-scraps

Attributes STR 14, DEX 15, CON 14, INT 16, WIS 11, CHA 3, COM 6

Special Abilities

• Scrap-Welder: If it hits, the target must Save vs. Spells or suffer 1d6 burn damage as armor is fused to their skin.

• Gravity Tether: Can project a gravity beam (30’ range) to pull a creature 15’ toward it.

• Construct Resilience: Immune to Charm, Hold, and Sleep. Half damage from cold or fire.

  

  7. Karkon-Thane

  An incorporeal, shifting mass of dark matter that drifts through the unstable rifts of the Karkos system. It is a creature of pure entropy, absorbing the heat and light from its surroundings, leaving only a chilling void in its wake. It is often attracted to the high energy output like that of a Martian Hyper-Pulse Communicator.

  Stat Details

  • Armor Class: 2 [17]

  • Hit Dice: 6 (27 hp)

  • Attacks: 1 × touch of entropy (1d10 + cold)

  • THAC0: 14 [+5]

  • Movement: 120’ (Float)

  • Saving Throws: Fighter 6

  • Morale: 10

  • Alignment: Chaotic

  • XP Value: 500

  • Treasure Type: Nil

  Attributes STR 8, DEX 16, CON 14, INT 12, WIS 14, CHA 3, COM 6

  Special Abilities

  • Entropy Aura: Any creature within 10’ of the Karkon-Thane must Save vs. Spells or have their movement reduced to half due to the localized slowing of time.

  • Incorporeal: Takes half damage from non-magical weapons; immune to poison and sleep effects.

  • Cold Touch: Successful hits deal an additional 1d6 cold damage as the target’s internal thermal energy is siphoned away.

    

  8. Nog-Goth

  An amphibious, sightless predator found in the crushing, lightless pressure of the sub-oceanic caverns on Gotha-Prime. Its skin is thick, gelatinous, and highly resistant to pressure changes. It hunts via sensitive, tentacled filaments that detect the heartbeat and electrical impulses of nearby prey.

  Stat Details

  • Armor Class: 4 [15]

  • Hit Dice: 5 (22 hp)

  • Attacks: 4 × tentacles (1d6), 1 × bite (3d6)

  • THAC0: 15 [+4]

  • Movement: 60’ (Swim 120’)

  • Saving Throws: Fighter 5

  • Morale: 8

  • Alignment: Neutral

  • XP Value: 300

  • Treasure Type: D (Swallowed gear in gut)

  Attributes STR 16, DEX 12, CON 17, INT 7, WIS 10, CHA 2, COM 4

  Special Abilities

  • Sonar Pulse: Can emit a high-frequency sound to map its surroundings perfectly within 60’, even in total magical darkness.

  • Pressure-Skin: Resistant to blunt force trauma; takes half damage from falling or crushing attacks.

  • Grasp: If a tentacle hits, the target is grabbed. A held target must Save vs. Paralysis or be pulled toward the Nog-Goth’s massive, razor-lined maw.

    

    9. Monn-Okki

  A bizarre, tri-pedal monstrosity native to the eternal twilight ice-shelves of Monn-IV. Its biology is centered around liquid nitrogen circulation, making it terrifyingly fast in cold environments but sluggish in direct sunlight or intense heat. It communicates through rhythmic, bone-chilling vibrations.

  Stat Details

  • Armor Class: 6 [13]

  • Hit Dice: 3 (13 hp)

  • Attacks: 2 × icy talons (1d8)

  • THAC0: 17 [+2]

  • Movement: 150’

  • Saving Throws: Fighter 3

  • Morale: 9

  • Alignment: Chaotic

  • XP Value: 300

  • Treasure Type: Nil

  Attributes STR 14, DEX 17, CON 12, INT 9, WIS 10, CHA 6, COM 3

  Special Abilities

  • Flash-Freeze: If the Monn-Okk hits with both talons in a single round, the target must Save vs. Paralysis or be frozen in place for 1d4 rounds.

  • Cold Aura: Melee attackers must Save vs. Spells or suffer -2 to hit due to the numbing cold radiating from the creature.

  • Heat Vulnerability: Takes double damage from fire-based attacks and suffers a -2 penalty to AC when exposed to direct sunlight or high-heat environments.

    

    10. Tkrynmp

    A wiry, multi-limbed scavenger native to the zero-G wreckage of the Skry-Prime asteroid belt. Adapted for survival in vacuum, these creatures are experts at maneuvering through tight, metallic conduits. They are notoriously paranoid, constantly twitching their oversized ocular sensors to scan for threats.

    Stat Details

    • Armor Class: 8 [11]

    • Hit Dice: 2 (7 hp)

    • Attacks: 1 × bite (1d4), 1 × sting (1d3 + paralysis)

    • THAC0: 19 [0]

    • Movement: 120’ (Climb 120’)

    • Saving Throws: Fighter 1

    • Morale: 6

    • Alignment: Neutral

    • XP Value: 40

    • Treasure Type: 1d6 micro-components

    Attributes STR 6, DEX 19, CON 8, INT 10, WIS 12, CHA 4, COM 5

    Special Abilities

    • Zero-G Agility: Gains a +2 bonus to AC against all ranged attacks.

    • Paralytic Sting: If the sting attack hits, the target must Save vs. Poison or be paralyzed for 1 turn.

    • Vacuum Maneuver: Does not require air; perfectly comfortable in zero-gravity environments.

      

    11. Lobularr

    An expansive, colonial organism originating from the fungal world of Veulb-VII. It appears as a gelatinous mass of pulsating spores. Each “Lobularr” is actually a sensory node for a planetary-scale neural network, capable of psychically mimicking the thoughts of nearby creatures to lure them into its spore-filled core.

    Stat Details

    • Armor Class: 9 [10]

    • Hit Dice: 6 (40 hp)

    • Attacks: 1 × pseudopod (3d6 + spore infection)

    • THAC0: 16 [+3]

    • Movement: 30’

    • Saving Throws: Fighter 4

    • Morale: 12

    • Alignment: Neutral

    • XP Value: 600

    • Treasure Type: Nil

    Attributes STR 12, DEX 8, CON 16, INT 15, WIS 16, CHA 3, COM 2

    Special Abilities

    • Psychic Mimicry: Projects the image of a familiar companion. Characters must Save vs. Spells to see through the illusion.

    • Spore Infection: If hit by a pseudopod, the target must Save vs. Poison or begin to uncontrollably sprout fungal growths, suffering 1d4 damage per round for 1d6 rounds.

      

    12. Void-Stalker

    A predator of the Event Horizon Cluster, where space-time is stretched to the breaking point. It exists in multiple phases of reality simultaneously, appearing as a blurred, translucent silhouette that flickers in and out of sight. It feeds on the kinetic and life energy of living beings.

    Stat Details

    • Armor Class: 0 [19]

    • Hit Dice: 8 (36 hp)

    • Attacks: 1 × phase-strike (2d8)

    • THAC0: 12 [+7]

    • Movement: 180’ (Teleport 30’)

    • Saving Throws: Fighter 8

    • Morale: 10

    • Alignment: Chaotic

    • XP Value: 1,200

    • Treasure Type: F (Artifacts from other dimensions)

    Attributes STR 15, DEX 18, CON 15, INT 14, WIS 14, CHA 8, COM 5

    Special Abilities

    • Phase-Shift: Attacks against the Void-Stalker have a 50% chance to miss as it briefly shifts out of phase with reality.

    • Kinetic/Life Siphon: If it hits with a phase-strike, the target must Save vs. Spells or have their movement speed permanently reduced by 10’ for the duration of the combat (as their kinetic potential is drained). Another save must be made to protect against a level drain. If the character is reduced to level -1 the character dies and can not be resurrected without a wish or similar spell/rite performed.

      

    13. Eon-Wrecker

    A metallic titan from the dead, hollowed-out system of Titan-Exo. It is an ancient, self-repairing siege engine that has outlived its masters in a war that consumed its creators. It possesses no consciousness, only a hardcoded programmed directive to dismantle all foreign technology encountered.

    Stat Details

    • Armor Class: -2 [21]

    • Hit Dice: 11 (60 hp)

    • Attacks: 2 × magma-cannon (4d6), 1 × stomp (2d10)

    • THAC0: 10 [+9]

    • Movement: 90’

    • Saving Throws: Fighter 10

    • Morale: 12

    • Alignment: Lawful (Strict)

    • XP Value: 3,300

    • Treasure Type: G (Rare hyper-alloys)

    Attributes STR 22, DEX 6, CON 20, INT 10, WIS 10, CHA 2, COM 7

    Special Abilities

    • Siege Plating: Immune to light weapons damage.

    • Dismantle Directive: Deals double damage to constructs, vehicles, or characters wearing powered armor.

    • Magma-Cannon: Range 60’/120’/240’. Causes the ground in a 10’ radius to become molten for 1d4 rounds.

      

    14. Luma-Ghast

    A bioluminescent horror from the lightless world of Selene Minor in the Centauri system. It looks like a gaunt, elongated humanoid with skin like translucent parchment. It is terrifyingly sensitive to light, which it perceives as a painful, searing radiation.

    Stat Details

    • Armor Class: 6 [13]

    • Hit Dice: 3 (13 hp)

    • Attacks: 2 × claw (1d6), 1 × shriek (special)

    • THAC0: 17 [+2]

    • Movement: 120’

    • Saving Throws: Fighter 3

    • Morale: 8

    • Alignment: Chaotic

    • XP Value: 75

    • Treasure Type: B (Ancient ritual items)

    Attributes STR 12, DEX 16, CON 10, INT 12, WIS 14, CHA 10, COM 5

    Special Abilities

    • Sonic Shriek: Once per encounter, emits a high-pitched wail. All within 30’ must make a Save vs. Spells or be deafened and stunned for 1d4 rounds.

    • Light Sensitivity: Exposure to direct sunlight or magical light (e.g., Light spell) forces the creature to make a saving throw vs. Spells or be blinded and take 1d6 damage per round.

      • Ghostly Glide: Can move through solid objects at half speed, but if it ends its turn in a solid object takes 2d6 damage.

        

        Till next time keep those dice rolling and the imagination going!

Below is a short collection of visual player handouts that can be used as a “jumping off” point for adventures in Golgotha Oor (A Lemurian city) that I will be posting about here on Substack. Think of this as a small preview of that upcoming post. The visual handouts feature the setting languages of “common, current street cant, and old and new Lemurian dialect”.

I look forward to presenting more here from my game setting, The Veiled Echoes of Future Past in Neverwhere. In the meantime, feel free to use these message boards in my or your own setting of choice as you see fit. Till next time, keep those dice rolling and that imagination going.

Before the great city of Dra’Agga grew over the dust of the old world, the Flesh-Taking Pharaoh from the hellish dimension known as Resurrection ruled the lowlands through a ghastly synergy of forbidden bio-tech and dark hellish cyber-sorcery. To maintain his unnatural immortal reign, his chrome clad war bands scoured the dune covered countryside to harvest the living, weaving stolen flesh and cybernetic endoskeletons into horrifyingly devoted legions and as raw materials for the Pharaoh’s blasphemous rites of longevity. When a forgotten coalition finally shattered his throne, they did not truly destroy the Pharaoh’s undying form. Instead, they bound his flesh and metallic frame behind sorcerous super science ward-seals deep within his brass colored spire monolith, sealing his bio-organic horrors and vast hoards of archeotech into the sand vaults below, leaving the structure to slowly age into an unassuming urban landmark. Over time, the city all but forgot this relic of the past, it becaame little more than a historical site and a curiosity.

Recent city expansion and sewer construction have cracked the ancient seals, allowing a foul, sulfurous decay to leak back into the modern metropolis. As the Pharaoh’s dormant sub-space signals spark back to life, his slumbering bio-phages and cybernetically stitched sentries have begun to stir in the dark, driven by a hard-coded imperative to harvest fresh material. Now citizens and dezizens of Dra’Agga have begun to disappear. The whispers drifting through the city’s neon-lit taverns are no longer mere tourist legends—the buried doors and seals to the vault are open, and the Sunken Vault once again hungers for the flesh of the living. There is talk of a way in to certain chambers and tombs within buried under 3 thousand years of time. Perhaps one leading to the Pharaoh’s sanctum itself?

From the personal journals of Trav Bacc, adventurer Sell Sword - 5352 A.E.

Year of the Falling Sky Princess

Introduction

For centuries, the brass-spire monolith known as the Obelisk of the Flesh Taking-Pharaoh has pierced the chemical cracking choked skylines of the great metropolis, a colossal remnant of a forgotten epoch when cyber-gods and bio-warlocks walked the earth. To the urban masses, it’s an ancient landmark—a silent, corroded monolith passed by traders, merchants, nobles, factory workers, and junk-traders every day.

Or is it? Scraps of dataslates and whispered street-slang tell of the Pharaoh’s bio-mechanical legion, sealed in cryogenic stasis far beneath the metropolis alongside hoard-vaults of lost archeotech, flesh-grafted relics, and fat hyper-dense credit sticks. Now, rumors circulate through the dim neon-lit taverns and back-alley chop-shops: scav-crews have uncovered a ruptured conduit—a forgotten “backdoor” into the sub-dungeons beneath the Obelisk. A few survivors have stumbled back out into the light, missing limbs, tissues, and worse babbling in dead sorcerous code, but clutching weapons forged of ancient steel and hypertech-alloy.

Below is a small basic list of various npcs the party may interact with while in Dra’agga.

NPC’s of Dra’agga

• Sefu of the Burnished Coil (Ancient/Modern Retrofit Housing Blocks sub level 3)

  • Class/Lvl: Expert Artificer 5

  • HP: 11

  • Weapon: Masterwork Scimitar ( +3 to hit, 1d8+2 damage)

  • Role: An elderly, golden-skinned armorer from Mercury who retrofits scavenged battlebots. He constantly complains about the “inferior quality” of modern biotech living flesh compared to old-world Mercurian synthetics.

• Imani, Cultist of Resurrection (Temple of Derketo outskirts)

  • Class/Lvl: Warlock (Great Old One) 3

  • HP: 9

  • Weapon: Sacrificial Dagger (+1 to hit, 1d4+1 damage)

  • Role: A nervous, low-ranking priestess who secretly worships the Flesh-Taking Pharaoh. She believes recent tremors in the Brass Monolith signal the “Great Rebirth” and seeks adventurers to retrieve a “sacred vessel” (bio-container) from the sewers. This container has a symbiote within it. (HP 2/1-2 dmg) It grafts to a host, giving the host a +1 to AC. The container is in the crawler’s nest.

• “Gage” Vance, Archeotech Fence (Simple Market lower levels)

  • Class/Lvl: Rogue (Thief) 6

  • HP: 12

  • Weapon: Hand Crossbow Repeater (+2 to hit, 1d6+1 damage x 3, range 30/120)

  • Role: A cynical merchant who is secretly a fence for low-grade archeotech. He pays top coin for items recovered from the Ward-Seal Chamber.

• Ratten-Kaiserin Hex, Scavenger Boss (Chemical Cracker Pits)

  • Class/Lvl: Barbarian (Totem Warrior - Rat) 5

  • HP: 17

  • Weapon: Spiked Flail (+3 to hit, 1d8+2 damage)

  • Role: The ruthless, heavily-augmented leader of a scavenger gang. He knows hidden access points to the Monolith’s sub-levels but trades them only for high-purity reagents, lostech artifacts, or for the charms of comely nubile females..

• Valerius, Chromed Centurion (Patrolling the city streets)

  • Class/Lvl: Fighter (Battle Master) 7

  • HP: 15

  • Weapon: Shock-Lance (as Glaive, +3 to hit, 1d10 slashing +2 lightning damage)

  • Role: A high-ranking officer of the Chrome War Band Patrol secretly loyal to the Pharaoh. He looks for outsiders to eliminate subordinates who are beginning to question orders. He will likely target the party.

    (Warband 1d6 troops Fighters 3 HP8 Dmg 1d6)

• Nefret, the Whisper-Weaver (Simple Market)

  • Class/Lvl: Bard (Cult of Whispers) 4

  • HP: 12

  • Weapon: “Needle” (Blowgun with poisoned darts, +2 to hit, 1d4 + Constitution save vs. Poison for 2d8 damage)

  • Role: A young market scribe who acts as a broker for those wanting to contact the cultists of the Whisper. He tests the party’s morality by offering a job to deliver a coded message to Imani.

• Otho, Master Alchemist (Chemical Cracker Pits)

  • Class/Lvl: Alchemist 6

  • HP: 7

  • Weapon: Acid Vial (as improvised thrown weapon, +4 to hit, 4d4 acid damage)

  • Role: Eccentric, caustic proprietor known for potent stimulants and acids. Desperate for a sample of “phlegethon slime” from the Monolith’s lower levels for his experiments.

    High Priestess Amunet (Inner Sanctum, Temple of Derketo)

    • Class/Lvl: Cleric 6

    • HP: 15

    • Weapon: Staff of the Serpent (+4 to hit, 1d6+2 + 3 poison damage)

    • Role: The sensual grey skinned alien woman, orthodox leader of the temple. She strictly enforces the will of Derketo’s decadent carnal worship but secretly fears that the wards holding the evil in the spire are failing.

  • Kaelen of the Halls (Chemical Cracker Pits)

    • Class/Lvl: Scout 5

    • HP: 18

    • Weapon: Tekbow (+2 to hit, 1d6+4 damage)

    • Role: A paranoid, independent scavenger scout who hunts the mechanical horrors that occasionally escape the chemical pits. He claims to have seen chrome soldiers “knocking from the inside” of the monolith’s foundation.

  • Sister Seraphina, the Orthodoxy’s Ear (Temple of Derketo)

    • Class/Lvl: Cleric Temple Prostitute 3

    • HP: 11

    • Weapon: Cat n Nine Tails (+1 to hit, 2d4 damage + 2 radiant against cyber fiends/ techno undead)

    • Role: High Priestess Amunet’s loyal enforcer and nympho temple wench. She believes the party to be agents of chaos and watches their movements closely.

  • Xylos, the Flesh-Weaver’s Apprentice (Market lower levels)

    • Class/Lvl: Sorcerer 3

    • HP: 13

    • Weapon: Venomous Claw (Natural Weapon, +3 to hit, 1d6 plus poison)

    • Role: A mutant from the northern wastelands. A tragic figure who escaped the Pharaoh’s legions but still has cybernetic grafts that cause him pain. He believes he is being hunted by Valerius’s war band.

  • “Old Man” Vuteris, Goblin Scav Sewer-Keeper (Under the Housing Blocks)

    • Class/Lvl: Rogue 4

    • HP: 10

    • Weapon: Heavy Club (+2 to hit, 1d6+3 )

    • Role: A grumpy, subterranean hermit who knows every crack in the city’s foundation. He demands exorbitant fees in clean water or fresh fruit to reveal shortcuts into the sealed Sand Vaults beneath the Monolith. He has been losing members of his clutch to the Monolith lately.

City-Street Rumors Table (1D8)

• Before the crawl begins, players can gather rumors in the dim neon chop-shops, taverns, and black-markets of the metropolis above. Roll a 1d8 or assign them based on who the PCs talk to.

  • 1 (True): “A goblin scav-tech named Rix went down that sewer pipe a week ago with a high-end plasma torch. If you find his body, that torch is worth a small fortune.”

  • 2 (False): “The city watch flooded the upper sub-grids years ago. It’s safe to camp near the entrance—nothing but rats and rust down there.”

  • 3 (True): “Don’t look at the blue dancing static! There’s a shrine down there that broadcasts an old god’s frequency. It’ll fry your brain and turn you against your friends if you don’t shield your eyes and ears.”

  • 4 (Partially True): “The bug-monsters in the deep caverns are controlled by a magic staff.” (False: They aren’t controlled by it, but the Over-King’s hoard does contain a powerful inscribed Shock-Spear).

  • 5 (True): “The front door of the Vault is rigged. If you don’t have the triangular master-slug, trying to force it will wake up the chrome-knights.”

  • 6 (False): “The Flesh-Pharaoh himself is buried just inside the entrance, asleep on a throne of solid platinum.” (False: The entrance only holds his deranged lieutenants; the true Pharaoh is much deeper).

  • 7 (Partially True): “There’s a mechanical doctor down there building a giant flesh golem out of dead scavengers.” (Partially true: Vel’pulek is harvesting body parts, but he uses them to stitch together Cyber-Husks, not a giant golem).

  • 8 (True): “Watch out for the bugs in the lower pools. Their bite doesn’t just hurt; it turns your muscles into rigid steel. You’ll be paralyzed before they even start eating.”

Level 1: The Threshold

Area 1.1: The Decompression Foyer

Read Aloud Text: “You step down from the dung dripping sewer into a 30-foot cubic airlock chamber. The chamber walls were once lined with ceramic tiles, but now black grease and glowing violet condensation seep through stress fractures. Burn marks, melted plastic, and dried, oxidized rust-colored stains streak the floor. Heavy airlock doors are embedded in the center of the North, South, East, and West walls, while a rusted, iron rung ladder extends straight up through a vertical access shaft into the dark.

The North door is forged from translucent synth-glass, revealing a cluster of grinding, copper-toothed gears and pulsed fiber-optic filaments slowly cycling underneath its skin. An empty, triangular socket sits in the center of the frame. Slumped against the West wall are the withered remains of a cybernetically-enhanced goblin scav-tech, a scorched tungsten bolt pinning him by his chest to the bulkhead.”

DM Notes:

• The Access Shaft: The ladder leads up 40 feet to the street-level sewer grate in the city above.

• The Scav Corpse: The dead goblin rogue was betrayed by his crewmate, who was driven temporarily mad by a psychic broadcast in Area 1-3.

  • Loot: A charred leather belt holding a pristine plasma-torch (+2 to breach locks), a battered data-slug worth 14 Platinum Credits (14pp), and a gleaming, A lite caseless auto pistol, (1d4+1) and a monofilament vibro-dagger +2 that survived the fire.

  • Interrogation (Datajack / Cyber-Commune): If the party uses bio-tech or tech-spells to interface with the dead scav’s neural link, his corrupted memory bank only loops a frantic audio log: “The eyes in the static... tell the mother-unit I was a good unit...”

• The North Door: Surrounded by etched synth-runes glowing with low voltage. Read Magic or a Tech-Decipher check translates the glyphs: “THE OVERLORD WELCOMES THE REMNANTS.”

  • The Trap/Alarm: If breached without inserting the proper triangular key-slug,(it is in the dead goblin scav’s cerebral data jack) an encrypted sub-space pulse triggers, alerting the Cyborg Lieutenants in Areas 1.25 and 2.2. The lieutenants cannot be surprised by the party during subsequent encounters.

• The East Door: Scratched into the corroded steel in common street slang: “STAY CLEAR OF THE PIT.” Three triangular pieces of burnt black synth-card sit scattered across the wet floor near the threshold.

  Area 1.5: Nest of the Bio-Phage Over-Mind

Read Aloud Text: “This sprawling, subterranean cavern is bathed in a eerie, flickering violet luminescence emitted by strange, bioluminescent fungus clinging to the ceiling. Pulsing, tube-like tendrils run along the ground like live wires, dipping into fetid pools of glowing chemical sludge fed by a trickling waste-pipe high on the southeast wall.

Beyond the sludge pools, a beach of pulverized bone-ash is covered in heaps of translucent, egg-like bio-capsules and glittering mounds of antique coinage and scavenged electronics.

Rearing up from the central heap is a monstrous, multi-segmented Centipede-Horror, its exoskeleton a fusion of rusted alloy plating and raw mutated flesh. It opens a mandibeled maw filled with intense firey sparks and lets out a deafening, synthesized shriek...” (See Bio-Phage Crawler creature entry for details).

DM Notes:

• Environment: Cavern is dimly lit by phosphorescent bio-mold. Pungent sulfurous/chemical fumes hang in the air.

• Passages: A natural stone ramp leads down to Area 3.10. Behind the sludge waterfall sits a hidden breach wall (Secret Door).

• The Monster: The Bio-Phage Over King (an immense mutated creature fused with ancient defense-tech) rules this cavern, guarded by 30 Bio-Phage Crawlers.

  • Tactics: The Over-King commands its swarming brood to bog down and paralyze front-line characters before unleashing its Paralyzing Corrosive Breath (30’ Cone, DC 14 vs Poison/Tech-Paralysis).

• The Nest Hoard: Scavenged inside the slime-coated bone heap:

  • 96 Platinum Credits, 35 Gold Coins, 400 Silver Pieces

  • 46x 10gp raw plasma-crystals, 12x 100gp hyper-dense power cells

  • A +2 Shock-Spear of MILGOV design inscribed with the Ancient Terran word “PAIN” on the titanium shaft.

  • A sealed, lead-lined cylinder containing 3x Syringes of Anti-Toxin / Neutralize Bio-Poison.

    1. Factions & Dynamic Lieutenants

    When the telepathic/sub-space alarm is tripped in Area 1.1, these lieutenants are immediately broadcast a tactical telemetry ping. They begin fortifying their sectors and coordinating patrols.

    Area 1.25: Lieutenant Vane & The Cyber-Husk Sentry Squad

    • Leader: Lieutenant Vane, a cold, calculating cyber-knight encased in pitted chrome plate, missing his lower jaw (replaced with a crackling Vox-Synthesizer).

    • Forces: 4d6+3 Cyber-Husks (mind-wiped scavengers fitted with synth metal armor and techno weapons).

    • Alert Tactics: Vane does not charge the foyer. Instead, he sets up a kill-zone in Area 1.25. The husks take cover behind reinforced barricades with heavy slug-throwers, and plasma casters (Dmg 1d6/1d6+3 ) while Vane holds his action to fire his Ion Cannon (1d8 explosive dmg) at the first target entering the choke point.

    • Dialogue/Flavor: “INTRUSION DETECTED. ALL ORGANIC MATTER IS SUBJECT TO HARVEST AND RECLAMATION. PREPARE TO BE HARVESTED AND FED UPON!”

      

      Area 2.2:

Vel’pulek “The Meat-Stitcher”

• Lt #2

  • 2nd “Mini boss”

    • Leader: Vel’pulek, a towering, surgeon whose upper torso has been spliced with unearthly bio tech.

    • Forces: 2 Surgical Drones (AC 14, HD 1, HP 5, needle-sting 1d4; a successful attack will cause the target to be distracted (save VS wands), a PC giving them -2 to hit).

    • Alert Tactics: Vel’pulek retreats into the shadows atop a raised catwalk in Area 2.2, setting a trap with grease-slicked floor tiles. Once the party enters, he drops a bio-containment field behind them and attacks from high ground using long-reach weapons and spells.

      Read-Aloud Boxed Text for the Lieutenants

      Area 1.25: The Sentry Barricade (Lieutenant Vane’s Kill-Zone)

      Read-Aloud Text: “Beyond the synth-glass doors, the corridor opens into a fortified security checkpoint. Heavy barricades of welded steel plates and a giant rusted sky fortress engine block that blocks the main thoroughfare. The sickly glow of red emergency lumens casts long, jagged shadows across the room.

      Standing atop the barricade is a tall humanoid figure encased in heavily pitted, chrome power-armor. Where its lower jaw should be, a glowing vocoder grill crackles with static. Flanking it behind the barricade are several shambling horrors—corpses crudely bolted to sorcerous endoskeletons, leveling heavy slug-throwers and plasma casters in your direction.

      The armored knight raises a wrist mounted with a humming ion-cannon. A synthesized, emotionless voice booms from its metal jaw: ‘INTRUSION DETECTED. ALL ORGANIC MATTER IS SUBJECT TO HARVESTING.’”

      Area 2.2: The Flesh-Crafter’s Theater (Vel’pulek’s Domain)

      Read-Aloud Text: “The stench of ozone, industrial bleach, and rotting meat hits you like a physical blow as you enter this wide, circular chamber. The floor is slick with dark, coagulated grease. Above you, a rusted iron catwalk rings the room, overlooking a cluster of blood-stained surgical tables equipped with dangling restraints and whirring bone-saws.

      A shadow moves on the catwalk above. It is a towering, humanoid nightmare of flesh and metal. The creature’s upper torso is that of a gaunt, pale mutant clad in rubberized butcher’s garb and armor, but from the waist down, it is fused in royal robes of the nobility of the hell dimension of Resurrection.. Two buzzing, needle-limbed drones flutter around its head like mechanical flies.

      It revs a bevy of weapons and begins muttering spell formulas and laughs—a wet, hacking sound that reverberates through the chamber.”

    2. Dungeon Rooms & Surrounding Hazards

    Area 1.2: The Echoing Shaft (Behind the South Door)

    Read-Aloud Text:

    “The door opens onto a narrow iron gantry overlooking a plunging vertical shaft that disappears into pitch darkness below and above. A damp draft smells of ozone and ozone-charred meat. Across the gap, 15 feet away, another platform leads to an archway pulsing with a rhythmic, heart-like thrum.”

    • Hazard: The gantry is rusted and slick with bio-grease. Crossing at a run requires a Agility/DEX check; failure results in a slip (hanging off the edge).

    • The Pit: Falling leads down 60 feet into Area 2.1 (The Slag Pits), dealing 3D6 bludgeoning damage.

    Area 1.3: The Psychic Broadcast Array (Behind the West Door)

    Read-Aloud Text:

    “This octagonal chamber is lined with shattered dimensional screens that flicker with violet static. In the center of the room, suspended by heavy copper cables, hangs a brass statuette of a kneeling, six-armed pharaoh whose head is an exposed, pulsing orb. A low, hum vibrates straight through your teeth and into your skull.”

    • The Mind-Blast Trap: Any creature entering without heavy psych-shielding or deafening headgear must make a Saving Throw vs. Spells/Psychic Effects upon seeing or hearing the static array.

      • Failure: The PC is overwhelmed by madness for 1d6 rounds, perceiving their allies as bio-monsters (this is what caused the scav goblin in Area 1.1 to be slain by his comrades).

    • Disarming/Destroying: The statuette can be smashed (AC 13, 15 HP, immune to psychic/poison). Destroying it emits a 10 foot radius EMP discharge 2d6 energy damage to nearby cyberware/electronics/weapons).

    Area 1.4: The Bone-Ash Crypt (Behind the East Door / “The Pit”)

    Read-Aloud Text:

    “A steep descent leads into a choked hallway littered with piles of bone-ash and shattered cybernetic chassis. In the center of the floor lies a gaping, jagged hole—the ‘Pit’ warned about on the door. From the dark breach below comes the sound of wet slithering and clicking mandibles.”

    • The Pit Hazard: The floor around the pit is crumbling. A heavy character (or party member carrying over 150 lbs) stepping within 3 feet of the edge causes a section to cave in into Area 1.5 below.

    • Tunnels: Narrow, slime-coated crawlspaces lead directly into the upper ledges of Area 1.5

      New Monster Appendices (BX / Old-School Mechanics)

    Bio-Phage Crawler

    A football-sized, multi-legged horror with an armor-plated carapace and a needle-thin proboscis dripping with glowing neurotoxins.

    • Armor Class: 14 [5 in descending AC]

    • Hit Dice: 2+1 (10 HP)

    • Attacks: 1 x Bite/Sting (1d4+2 + Poison)

    • Move: 120’ (40’) / Climb 120’

    • Save As: Fighter 1

    • Morale: 8 (11 when in sight of the Over-King)

    • Special Abilities:

      • Neurotoxic Sting: Target must save vs. Poison or suffer a -2 penalty to Attack Rolls and Movement for 1 hour due to muscle rigidity. Stacks up to 3 times.

      • Wall Crawler: Able to crawl up and across sheer surfaces.

        

        Bio-Phage Over-King (Boss Encounter)

    A colossal, twenty-foot-long centipede-chimerical beast encased in corroded brass plate and bio-luminescent muscle fibers. Sparks cascade from its mandibles as its multiple red sensor-eyes lock onto prey.

    • Armor Class: 17 [2 in descending AC]

    • Hit Dice: 8 (42 HP)

    • Attacks: 2 x Crushing Mandibles (2d6), 1 x Tail Whip (1d8)

    • Move: 90’ (30’)

    • Save As: Fighter 8

    • Morale: 10

    • Special Abilities:

      • Paralyzing Corrosive Breath (Recharge 5–6): Spews a 30-foot cone of steaming, acidic paralytic sludge. All caught in the cone take 4d6 Acid Damage and must Save vs. Poison/Paralysis. Failure results in complete paralysis for 2d4 turns. (A successful save halves damage and avoids paralysis).

      • Chitinous Shield: Reduces all incoming non-magical/non-plasma kinetic damage by 2.

      • Call the Swarm: Once per combat, the Over-King can screech, causing 1d6+2 additional Bio-Phage Crawlers to burst forth from the egg mounds at the start of the next round.

        

        Tactical Connections & Map Layout

        Flow & Connections

        • Level Access: Rung ladder in 1.1 leads 40’ up to the street-level sewer system.

        • North Door (1.1): Leads to Area 1.25 (Lieutenant Vane’s kill-zone).

        • South Door (1.1): Leads to 1.2 Echoing Shaft, dropping into Level 2 (The Slag Pits).

        • West Door (1.1): Leads to 1.3 Psychic Broadcast Array.

        • East Door (1.1): Leads to 1.4 Bone-Ash Crypt, which breaches downward into 1.5

        • Lower Exits (1.5): Natural stone stairway at (a) descends to Area 3.10; secret door behind the sulfur waterfall at (b) bypasses the main descent.

        2. Sub-Grid Wandering Encounters

        Roll a 1d6 every 2 turns or whenever the party makes loud noise (explosions, breaching doors without proper tools, or using loud firearms). An encounter occurs on a 1.

        Sub-Grid Wandering Monster Encounter Stat Blocks

        1. Glitch-Drone

        Skittering, volleyball-sized maintenance orbs with flickering sensor-eyes and sparking welding arms. They mistake organic intruders for “loose debris” that must be incinerated or dismantled.

        • Armor Class: 15 [4]

        • Hit Dice: 1 (4 hp)

        • Attacks: 1 x Taser-Welder (1d4+1 electricity)

        • Thac0: 19 [+0]

        • Movement: 120’ (40’) / Flying 150’ (50’)

        • Saving Throws: D12 P13 B14 C15 S16 (Fighter 1)

        • Morale: 12 (Programmed directive, never flees)

        • Alignment: Neutral

        • XP: 10

        • Special Abilities:

          • Hover/Flight: Can fly over ground obstacles and pits effortlessly.

          • Internal Battery Discharge: When destroyed, the drone sparks violently. Anyone in melee range (within 5’) must succeed on a Save vs. Wands or take 1d4+1 electrical damage.

            

        2. Bio-Phage Crawler

        A football-sized, multi-legged horror with an armor-plated carapace and a needle-thin proboscis dripping with glowing neurotoxins.

        • Armor Class: 14 [5 in descending AC]

        • Hit Dice: 2+1 (10 HP)

        • Attacks: 1 x Bite/Sting (1d4+2 + Poison)

        • Move: 120’ (40’) / Climb 120’

        • Save As: Fighter 1

        • Morale: 7 (11 when in sight of the Over-King)

        • Special Abilities:

          • Neurotoxic Sting: Target must save vs. Poison or suffer a -2 penalty to Attack Rolls and Movement for 1 hour due to muscle rigidity. Stacks up to 3 times.

          • Wall Crawler: Able to crawl up and across sheer surfaces.

          • # Appearing 1d6+2

            

        3. Scav-Gutter Cultist

        Desperate, cybernetically augmented scavengers with cybernetics, metal plating, and ragged cloaks, wielding erratic scrap-firearms and equipment.

        • Armor Class: 12 [7] (Scrap Armor)

        • Hit Dice: 2 (9 hp)

        • Attacks: 1 x Scrap-Carbine (1d6 ss/2d6 burst fire) or 1 x Machete/Pipe (1d6 melee)

        • Thac0: 18 [+1]

        • Movement: 120’ (40’)

        • Saving Throws: D12 P13 B14 C15 S16 (Fighter 2)

        • Morale: 7

        • Alignment: Neutral / Chaotic

        • XP: 55

        • Special Abilities:

          • Erratic Ammunition: On an attack roll of 1 with a Scrap-Carbine, the weapon backfires, dealing 1d4 blast damage to the Cultist and destroying the firearm.

          • Desperate Parley: If Morale fails, they will readily trade dungeon secrets or directions for battery cells, rations, or medical supplies.

            

            4. Rogue Cyber-Husk

        Mind-shattered scavengers converted into automated security husks, their flesh stitched around sorcerous tech and metal internal skeletons.

        • Armor Class: 13 [6] (Riveted Scrap Plate)

        • Hit Dice: 3 (14 hp)

        • Attacks: 1 x Riveted Arm-Blade (1d6) or 1 x Slug-Thrower (1d6+2 heavy “splatter “rounds)

        • Thac0: 18 [+1]

        • Movement: 90’ (30’)

        • Saving Throws: D12 P13 B14 C15 S16 (Fighter 2)

        • Morale: 12 (Mind-controlled, never flees)

        • Alignment: Neutral

        • XP: 150

        • Special Abilities:

          • Immature Mind Immunity: Immune to Sleep, Charm, and morale-based psychological effects.

            

            Elite Rogue Cyber-Husk (Cyber-Husk Vanguard)

            Standing well over seven feet tall, the Vanguard is a towering monstrosity of layered plasteel plating and exposed, heavy-duty piston assemblies. Where standard husks are skeletal and jittery, the Vanguard moves with a terrifying, mechanical fluidness driven by an intact central processing core grafted directly into its shattered spine. Its faceplate features a array of glowing optical lenses that track multiple targets simultaneously, emitting a harsh, rhythmic pinging sound as it scans for hostiles.

            Elite Rogue Cyber-Husk (Cyber-Husk Vanguard)

            Upgraded with hardened military plating, reinforced hydraulic actuators, and dual-linked combat subroutines, Vanguard husks serve as unit commanders or heavy shock troops for long-abandoned installations.

            Armor Class: 16 [3] (Reinforced Plasteel & Composite Armor)

            Hit Dice: 5+2 (25 hp)

            Attacks: 1 x Overclocked Arm-Blade (1d8+1) or 1 x Dual Slug-Thrower (2d6 heavy “splatter” volley) or 1 x Hydraulic Slam (1d6 + prone)

            THAC0: 15 [+4]

            Movement: 120’ (40’)

            Saving Throws: D10 P11 B12 C13 S14 (Fighter 5)

            Morale: 12 (Mind-controlled, never flees)

            Alignment: Neutral

            XP: 450

            Special Abilities:

            • Immature Mind Immunity: Immune to Sleep, Charm, hold effects, and all morale or psychological tests.

            • Targeting Node (Aura): Adjacent standard Cyber-Husks receive a +1 bonus to attack rolls due to short-range data link synchronization.

            • Overclocked Frame (1/day): Can take an extra attack action in a single round. The overload causes steam to vent from its chassis, dealing 1d3 heat damage to any creature in melee distance.

            • Hydraulic Slam: On a successful melee hit with its free arm, the target must pass a Save vs. Paralysis or be knocked prone.

              

              Cyber-Husk Juggernaut (Brute)

              Standing nearly eight feet tall and wide enough to block a starship corridor, the Cyber-Husk Juggernaut is a grotesque fusion of heavy industrial machinery and dead muscle. Thick, reinforced steel girders are bolted directly through its torso, completely encasing its ribcage in rusted plate metal. Its movement is slow, grinding, and deliberate, each step accompanied by the hiss of over-pressurized pneumatic lines and the heavy thud of iron-soled boots. Its weapon—a massive, power-saw blade welded onto a hydraulic piston—whines continuously as it drags along the deck.

            Cyber-Husk Juggernaut (Brute)

            Massive, hulking monstrosities built from industrial combat frames, thick boiler plate, and dense skeletal grafts. These brute husks trade speed and ranged precision for sheer durability and crushing kinetic force.

            Armor Class: 17 [2] (Welded Industrial Hull Plate)

            Hit Dice: 7+3* (39 hp)

            Attacks: 1 x Piston-Driven Cleaver (1d10+2) or 1 x Heavy Splatter-Cannon (4d6, short and medium range only)

            THAC0: 13 [+6]

            Movement: 60’ (20’)

            Saving Throws: D8 P9 B10 C10 S12 (Fighter 7)

            Morale: 12 (Mind-controlled, never flees)

            Alignment: Neutral

            XP: 950

            Special Abilities:

            • Immature Mind Immunity: Immune to Sleep, Charm, hold effects, and all morale or psychological tests.

            • Ablative Blast Plating: Takes half damage from non-magical missile attacks, kinetic shrapnel, and explosions due to massive layered iron shielding.

            • Ground Stomp (1/combat): The Brute slams its heavy chassis into the ground. All ground-based creatures within 10’ must succeed on a Save vs. Paralysis or be knocked prone and lose their next movement action.

            • Momentum Charge: If moving at least 20’ in a straight line before attacking in melee, the Brute deals triple damage on a hit with its Piston-Driven Cleaver.

              

  Faction Lieutenants Stat Blocks

  Lieutenant Vane

  Cold, calculating cyber-knight encased in pitted chrome plate with a crackling Vox-Synthesizer.

  • Armor Class: 17 [2 in descending AC] (Heavy Chrome Plate)

  • Hit Dice: 8+2 (48 HP)

  • Attacks: 1 x Wrist-Mounted Ion Cannon (2d6+3 energy) or 1 x Mono-Blade (1d8+2)

  • Move: 90’ (30’)

  • Save As: Fighter 5

  • Morale: 11

  • XP 1300

  • Special Abilities:

    • Tactical Telemetry: Cannot be surprised if the foyer alarm in 1.1 was triggered.

    • Ion Blast: Ion Cannon ignores 2 points of non-energy armor.

    • At least 4+2 Husks are always with Vane.

      

      Vel’pulek “The Meat-Stitcher”

  A towering bio-tech surgeon hailing from floundering Mu. He utilizes forbidden medical sorceries from the hellish plane of Resurrection on the Pharaoh’s behest.

  • Armor Class: 15 [4] in descending AC] (Reinforced Tread-Chassis)

  • Hit Dice: 6 (34 HP)

  • Attacks: 2 x Monofilament Surgical Saws (1d8 each) , lite laser pistol 1d4+1 or 1 x staff injector Injector (1d6+1 / Paralysis)

  • Move: 120’ (40’)

  • Save As: Fighter 6

  • Morale: 11

  • XP 1340

  • Special Abilities:

    • Multi-Arm Grapple: If both saw attacks hit the same target, Vel’pulek pins the creature, allowing an automatic Sedative Injector attack on the next round (Save vs. Poison or fall unconscious for 1d4 turns).

    • Surgical Drone Support: Accompanied by 2 Surgical Drones (AC 14, HD 1, HP 5, needle-sting 1d4; can distract a PC giving them -2 to hit). Save vs wands.

      

  4. Archeotech & Sci-Fantasy Treasures

  Plasma-Torch (+2 Breach Tool)

  • Type: Utility / Exotic Weapon

  • Properties: Grants a +2 bonus to checks made to cut through metal doors, locks, or bulkheads. If used in combat as an improvised weapon, it deals 1d8 fire/plasma damage, but has an effective range of melee only.

  Shock-Spear “PAIN” (+2 Weapon)

  • Type: Melee / Thrown Weapon

  • Inscription: The word “PAIN” is etched in glowing blue neon-runes along the titanium shaft in Elder Common.

  • Properties: Functions as a Spear +2. On a natural attack roll of 18–20, the spear discharges a high-voltage capacitor, dealing an additional 1d8 electrical damage and forcing the target to make a DC 13 Fortitude/Death Save or drop whatever they are holding due to muscular spasms.

  Monofilament Vibro-Dagger (+2 Weapon)

  • Type: Light Melee / Concealable Weapon

  • Properties: Functions as a Dagger +2. The blade vibrates at hypersonic frequencies. On a damage roll, it ignores up to 3 points of innate armor or physical damage reduction (does not bypass energy shields).

  Random Scavenge & Search Table (1D12)

  Use this table when PCs spend a Turn rummaging through debris, locker-chassis, or bio-sludge without a specific target in mind.

  • 1: Corrupted Dataslate: A cracked glass screen that sparks when touched, endlessly looping a glitchy, retro-synth jingle for a long-defunct cybernetic enhancement clinic. 15% chance of containing lostech data.

  • 2: Hazardous Bio-Residue: A hidden pocket of pressurized toxic mold bursts open. The searching PC must Save vs. Breath/Hazard or be seized by violent coughing fits (-1 to all rolls for 1 Turn) and smell strongly of sulfur, doubling the chance of wandering encounters for the next hour.

  • 3: Depleted Power-Cell: A heavy, brick-like battery. It’s mostly drained, but could be wired to provide a single, dim light source for 1 hour or overload a small electronic lock (destroying the cell).

  • 4: Tarnished Hyper-Credits: The PC uncovers a corroded mesh pouch containing 2d6 platinum credits and a handful of gold coins 1d4.

  • 5: Stim-Patch: A sealed foil packet containing a single auto-injector slap-patch. If applied, it restores 1d4 HP but gives the user a jittery, nervous twitch for the rest of the day. +1 to attack and dmg, -1 to INT and WIS checks

  • 6: Eldritch Archeotech: A perfectly preserved, opaque black cylinder containing an ancient “cassette tape.” If a compatible audio reader is ever found, it contains the rantings of a Cyber-Warloch discussing the biological vulnerabilities of the Corpsewurm lineage.

  • 7: Heavy Hydraulic Piston Assembly: Extremely valuable for ship/base repairs or constructing heavy machinery.

  • 8: Plated Armor Scrap: Yields 4d10 x 10 credits worth of heavy structural alloy.

  • 9: Intact Splatter Ammo Drum: Contains 2d6 heavy-duty rounds for industrial/splatter weaponry.

  • 10: Intact Servo-Actuator: Highly prized by engineers (valuable for heavy power-armor or cybernetic repairs).

  • 11: Hardened Composite Plates: Equivalent to 3d10 x 10 credits of rare metal alloy.

  • 12: Core Targeting Module: Can be extracted with a successful engineering check to install into auto-turrets or security networks (+1 attack bonus).

    

    Area 2.1: The Smelter Vats

    Read-Aloud Text:

    “The plunging shaft opens into a cavernous, heat-blistered chamber filled with the deafening roar of roaring furnaces and the acrid stench of molten metal and singed hair. Three massive, suspended iron vats hum with low-frequency energy, brimming with bubbling white-hot slag.

    Narrow catwalks made of rusted steel mesh crisscross over the boiling pits. Sputtering plasma torches overhead cast harsh orange glare across mountains of scrap-metal chassis and crushed bone fragments stacked against the walls.”

    DM Notes:

    • The Environment: The air here is sweltering. Any character wearing heavy metal armor must make a Save vs. Hazards every 3 Turns or suffer 1 point of heat-exhaustion damage.

    • The Catwalk Hazard: Fighting on the narrow catwalks requires caution. Any critical miss or forced push forces a character to make a Dexterity/Agility Save or fall into a Smelter Vat (4d6 fire/acid damage per round).

    • The Levers: A control console on the north wall operates the vat tilting mechanisms, allowing a clever player to dump molten slag across the central floor, creating a 20 ft (3D6 dmg) zone of lethal terrain.

    Area 2.3: The Reclamation Bins

    Read-Aloud Text:

    “This long, vaulted hall smells of rancid grease and ozone. Huge mechanical hoppers jut from the ceiling, periodically dropping loads of crushed armor plating, shattered cybernetics, and dry humanoid bones into grinding chutes along the floor.

    Sorting through the debris are several twitching, multi-limbed constructs equipped with pneumatic claws and magnet-pikes.”

    DM Notes:

    • Monsters: 3 Scrap-Reclaimers are actively sorting metal from bone here. If they detect living organics carrying metal gear or cybernetics, they view them as “unprocessed raw material” and attack.

    • Scavenge/Loot: Searching the bins yields 2d6 x 10 Platinum Credits, 3 intact High-Density Power Cells, and a rare Bio-Mechanical Neural-Interface (allows a user to connect directly to ancient machine consoles, granting a +2 bonus to unlock tech-doors).

    Area 2.4: Gear-Assembly Workshop

    Read-Aloud Text:

    “An automated assembly line, long deprived of fresh power, sits half-dead in the center of this wide room. Overhead monorails hold suspended cybernetic limbs, brass-riveted ribcages, and half-finished skeletal chassis in various states of assembly.

    Spilled oil forms black pools on the stone floor, and a set of heavy, iron-bound stone stairs spirals downward into a dark shaft marked with glowing, bio-luminescent warning runes.”

    DM Notes:

    • Descent to Level 3: The spiral stairs lead down into Area 3.1: The Pharaoh’s Antechamber.

    • The Trapped Assembly Line: Searching the assembly line without disarming the automated optical sensor causes a robotic welding arm HP 10 to snap to life, striking the nearest PC for 2d4 fire/bludgeoning damage (Save vs. Wands for half).

    • Loot: A workbench holds an intact Plasma-Cutter Tool (can melt through steel doors in 1d4 turns, or be used as a 1d8 melee weapon).

    LEVEL 3: THE PHARAOH’S OSSUARY VAULT

    Area 3.1: The Antechamber of Glass and Bone

    Read Out Loud Text

    “The spiral stairs open into a breathless, freezing hall lined with floor-to-ceiling glass pillars. Encased inside each pillar is a perfectly preserved, cybernetically augmented warrior—ancient guardians frozen in suspended animation.

    In the center of the room stands a massive double door forged of black obsidian and brass, etched with skeletal pharaonic figures holding glowing staffs. The door has no keyhole or handle—only two indentations shaped like human palms, weeping thin trickles of fresh blood.”

    DM Notes:

    • Opening the Door: The obsidian door requires a “flesh offering” to unlock. Placing fresh blood or flesh (costing 1d4/1d6 HP from a living PC) into the palm sockets causes the doors to grindingly part open.

    • The Frozen Sentinels: If the door is forced or breached using explosives, the glass pillars shatter, releasing 2d6 Stasis-Guardians to defend the passage.

    Area 3.2: The Sanctum of the Flesh-Taking Pharaoh

    Read-Aloud Text:

    “This colossal, octagonal vault is dominated by a raised pyramid-tier in the center. Atop the tier sits a towering sarcophagus forged from pitted chrome and gold foil, connected to towering coolant towers by thick, pulsing conduits filled with glowing green liquid.

    Monolithic copper columns ring the room, emitting a rhythmic, metallic heartbeat that vibrates the very floor. As you enter, the sarcophagus top bursts open with a hiss of pressurized steam, and a towering figure stepped in ancient, pitted power-armor, thread chasiss, and crowned with a skeletal brass nemes rises from the mist...”

    DM Notes:

    • Boss Encounter: The Flesh-Taking Pharaoh has awoken! He is supported by his bio-coolant apparatus.

    • Tactics: The Pharaoh uses his Gravity-Siphon to drag front-line fighters into melee range while blasting the party with his Flesh-Blight Beam. If reduced to under 15 HP, he drains coolant from the rear towers, instantly regenerating 2d8 HP (can only be used three times; destroying the towers with ranged attacks or plasma weapons disables this ability).

    • The Pharaoh’s Hoard: Resting inside the open sarcophagus base:

      • 2,400 Platinum Credits, 8,500 Gold Pieces

      • 6 Hyper-Dense Mercurian Fire Gems (worth 500 sp each)

      • The Staff of the Flesh-Warden (+3 Relic): Allows the caster to cast Animate Dead or Hold Person 1x/day, and deals an extra 1d8+4 necrotic damage on melee strikes.

      • The Crown of the Rust-King: A cyber-mesh circlet granting the wearer immunity to mind-affecting/psychic attacks and the ability to command mechanical or undead constructs (Save vs. Spells to resist).

    LEVEL 2 & 3 MONSTER STAT BLOCKS (BX / OSE)

    Scrap-Reclaimer

    Industrial constructs equipped with heavy pneumatic shears and magnetic grapples designed to process raw materials.

    • Armor Class: 16 [3] (Reinforced Industrial Plate)

    • Hit Dice: 4 (24 hp)

    • Attacks: 1 x Pneumatic Shear (1d8) or 1 Magnet-Pike (1d6 + Grapple)

    • Thac0: 17 [+2]

    • Movement: 90’ (30’)

    • Saving Throws: D12 P13 B14 C15 S16 (Fighter 3)

    • Morale: 12 (Construct, never flees)

    • Alignment: Neutral

    • # Appearing 6 (1d6)

    • XP: 50

    • Special Abilities:

      • Magnetic Pull: Targets wearing heavy metal armor within 20 ft must Save vs. Wands or be pulled directly into melee contact with the Reclaimer.

        

    Stasis-Guardian

    Ancient elite bodyguards preserved in cryo-suspension, wielding glowing monofilament halberds.

    • Armor Class: 17 [2] (Pharaonic Power Plate)

    • Hit Dice: 6 (31 hp)

    • Attacks: 1 x Mono-Halberd (1d10+1)

    • Thac0: 16 [+3]

    • Movement: 120’ (40’)

    • Saving Throws: D10 P11 B12 C13 S14 (Fighter 4)

    • Morale: 11

    • Alignment: Chaotic

    • XP: 125

    • # Appearing 6+1

    • Special Abilities:

      • Cryo-Aura: Anyone standing in melee range of a Stasis-Guardian takes 1d4 cold damage at the start of their turn due to leaking liquid nitrogen coolant.

        

    The Flesh-Taking Pharaoh (Level 3 Boss Encounter)

    A towering, ancient cyber-warloch encased in ornate gold-leaf and pitted chrome armor, his skeletal face illuminated by glowing green optics.

    • Armor Class: 19 [0] (Anointed Cyber-Plate)

    • Hit Dice: 10 (55 hp)

    • Attacks: 1 x Staff of the Flesh-Warden (1d8+3) or 1 x Flesh-Blight Beam (2d8 energy)

    • Thac0: 12 [+7]

    • Movement: 90’ (30’)

    • Saving Throws: D6 P7 B8 C8 S9 (Fighter 10)

    • Morale: 12

    • Alignment: Chaotic

    • XP: 2,500

    • Special Abilities:

      • Flesh-Blight Beam (Ranged 60’): Shoots a ray of necrotic energy. Target takes 2d8 damage and must Save vs. Death or suffer a -2 penalty to Strength for 1 hour.

      • Gravity-Siphon (Recharge 5–6): Creates a crushing gravitational pull in a 30 ft cone. All caught in the cone are pulled to the base of the Pharaoh’s tier and take 2d6 crushing damage (Save vs. Hazards for half and avoid pull).

      • Coolant Regeneration: If linked to his coolant towers, he can instantly repair 2d8 HP at the end of a round (usable twice per combat unless towers are destroyed).

        

        Below is a new creature from my setting the /NPC/PC class the- Croach.

        This creature from my Veiled Echoes of Future Past in Neverwhere that may be useful to players and or a GM/DM. This being would also be excellent to run using this adventure or as a npc or pc in a gaming groups party of adventurers.

      Croach (Insectoid Humanoid)

      Standing between 5 to 6 feet tall, these gleaming, chitin-armored humanoids possess twitching antennae, multi-faceted dark eyes, and four upper limbs—two primary hands capable of wielding human weaponry, and two smaller, vestigial manipulator limbs. Despite their grotesque, light-averse appearance, Croach are cunning, articulate, and fiercely pragmatic tool-users.

      OSE / BX Stat Block

      AC 4 [15] (Natural chitin)

      Hit Dice 2 (9 HP)

      Attacks1 × weapon (e.g., bone-dagger, ray-gun) or 2 × claws (1d4) Damage by weapon (1d6) or 1d4

      Movement120’ (40’) / Climb: 120’ (40’)

      Save As Fighter 2

      Morale 6 (9 if defending brood or technology)

      Alignment Neutral

      XP 25

      Number Appearing 1d6 (Dungeon), 2d10 (Lair/Enclave)

      Treasure Type U (Individual: scraps, salvaged tech, power cells)

      Special Abilities & Traits

      • Wall-Crawling: Can traverse vertical walls, ceilings, and treacherous terrain at full movement speed without penalty due to specialized tarsal pads.

      • Radiation & Bio-Phage Immunity: Immune to non-magical toxins, bio-phage rot, and environmental radiation hazards.

      • Chitinous Resistance: +2 bonus to Save vs. Poison and Save vs. Hazards (heat, gas, blast radius).

      • Vibrissal Sensing (Antennae): Detects motion and subtle air currents up to 60 feet. Croach cannot be surprised by non-magical stealth or invisible creatures within this radius.

      • Flesh-Eater / Scavenger: Can subsist on virtually any organic matter, including rot, bone-ash, and industrial runoff, without ill effect.

      • Light Sensitivity: Suffer a -2 penalty to attack rolls when operating in direct, intense illumination (e.g., harsh sunlight or magnesium flares).

        Ecology & Behavior

        • Intelligence: Fully equivalent to humans. Croach are skilled scavengers, mechanical tinkerers, and strategists. They frequently form insular trade communes or mercenaries in subterranean vaults.

        • Language: Speak their own clicking/stridulating dialect (Croach-Sibilant) as well as Common or local subterranean tongues.

        • Tactics: Croach rarely fight to the death unless cornered or protecting a egg-clutch. They utilize verticality—climbing ceiling pipes and wall crevices—to drop onto unsuspecting targets or unleash ranged ambushes before scuttling into small ducts.

          The Croach as a Player Character Class (OSE / BX)

          When played as adventurers, Croach are pragmatic, incredibly resilient survivors. Their natural wall-crawling and environmental immunities make them exceptional scouts, thieves, and scavengers.

          Requirements & Prime Requisites

          • Requirements: Minimum CON 9

          • Prime Requisite: DEX or INT (if either is 13+, +5% XP; if both are 13+, +10% XP)

          • Hit Dice: 1d6 per level (Up to 9th level)

          • Maximum Level: 10

          • Armor: Light and medium armor (heavy armor restricts their natural climbing ability).

          • Weapons: Any (they are as adept with longbows, plasma-casters, and broadswords as any human).

          At level 1 Save As a Dwarf 2

          Class Abilities

          • Wall-Crawling: A Croach can scale sheer vertical surfaces and ceilings at full movement speed (120′ per turn / 40′ combat). While on a wall or ceiling, they can use one-handed weapons or light ranged weapons using their two primary arms while maintaining their grip with their lower limbs.

          • Vibrissal Sensing: Due to sensitive antennae, a Croach party member reduces the chance of the party being surprised by 1 (e.g., surprised only on a 1 on 1d6). They can detect moving creatures within 60′ in total darkness.

          • Scavenger’s Gut: Immune to non-magical diseases, bio-phage infection, and rot. +2 bonus to Save vs. Poison.

          • Four-Armed Utility: Their two secondary limbs allow a Croach PC to use and reload a small or medium ranged or melee weapon while holding a shield, swap held items as a free action, or manage technical gear (like power cells or locks) while holding a weapon.

          Croach Archetypes & Weaponry

          Because Croach culture is as varied as human society, encounters with them depend entirely on their background and trade:

          1. Croach Scrapper / Tinker

          • Role: Engineers, artificers, and lock-pickers who inhabit ancient tech-vaults.

          • Equipment: Plasma-Cutters (1d8 fire/energy damage, ignores natural armor), Plasma Blaster x 2 (light Dmg 1d4) 1d4 wire-spool winches, shock-batons (1d6 + save vs. Paralysis for 1 round).

          2. Croach Guard (Warrior)

          • Role: Mercenaries, bodyguards, and tunnel-patrols.

          • Equipment: Chitin-reinforced tower shields (+2 AC), heavy repeating crossbows or arc-rifles (2d6 damage), long spears for keeping vault horrors at a distance.

          3. Croach Bio-Scribe (Scholar/Mystic)

          • Role: Gene-weavers, diplomats, and lore-keepers who study archeotech and ancient biological archives.

          • Abilities: Equivalent to Magic-Users or Clerics of equivalent HD, utilizing ancient “code-spells” or bio-alchemy items and weapons instead of standard Vancian magic.

          Adventurer Hook / NPC: Krik-Thok, “The Molted”

          “Humans fuss over gold and glory. I just want a power cell that doesn’t leak radiation into my drinking rations, and a party that doesn’t panic when I walk on the ceiling.”

          • Class: Level 3 Croach Scavenger

          • Alignment: Neutral

          • Gear: Custom-built Arc-pistols (1d6 elec), leather duster coat fitted over his wing-cases, set of masterwork tinker/thief tools.

          • Personality: Sarcastic, obsessed with collecting discarded pre-age tech/artifacts, fiercely loyal to anyone who treats him like a colleague rather than a pest.

            

            There we are my fine fellow creatives and gamers. Let me know your thoughts and how running this adventure went for you and your table.

            Till next time keep those dice rolling and the imagination going.

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Enough Talk! (as Arney would say), Time for the visuals.

Listen to me carefully, brother.

Sometimes life rips your heart out, not to destroy you, but to wake you up. You gave her your time, your energy, your loyalty, and she still walked away. That’s pain most people never recover from. But you will, because this isn’t the end of your story. It’s the beginning of your rebirth.

The moment she left, you were forced to face the truth that no one is coming to save you. You either stay broken or you rebuild yourself into someone she’ll never recognize. Every tear, every sleepless night, every second you feel empty, that’s your foundation. If that’s your fuel, use it. Don’t chase her. Don’t beg. Don’t scroll through old pictures hoping she’ll come back. Let her leave.

Because what’s meant for you won’t run. And what runs was never built to stay. Your comeback starts in silence, in discipline, in the grind when no one’s watching. You’ll rise from the pain sharper, stronger, untouchable. The world won’t remember you for losing her. They’ll remember you for how you turn that loss into power. Let her leave. And when she sees what you became after she broke you, that’ll be your revenge. Pain is not punishment. It’s preparation. You have to understand this deep in your soul. Because most people collapse when life hurts them. They think the world is against them, that God has forgotten them, that the universe is cruel. But that’s not true. Pain is not here to end you. It’s here to transform you. Every time you get hurt, every time life breaks you, it’s not because you’re unlucky. It’s because you’re being reshaped into someone stronger, wiser, and harder to destroy.

The world doesn’t reward comfort. The world rewards those who can carry pain on their back and keep walking. Pain is the test that filters out the weak from the relentless. When you’re in pain, your mind screams to stop, to quit, to find an escape. But that’s the moment you have to hold your ground and breathe through the fire. Because pain doesn’t come to stay, it comes to build. Think about it. A sword doesn’t become sharp without friction. A body doesn’t grow without stress. And a man doesn’t evolve without suffering.

Pain Is Not Punishment, It’s Preparation

The same pain that breaks most people is the same pain that builds legends. What defines you is not how much pain you feel, but what you do with it. You can let it destroy you or you can let it define you. Every heartbreak, every betrayal, every failure, those are your teachers. They’re not curses. They’re lessons written in fire. The world doesn’t hand out success for free. It demands a price. And that price is often pain. You have to pay with your comfort, your sleep, your tears, your peace. You might lose people you love. You might lose things you thought were permanent. But that loss is necessary. Because what’s being stripped from you is what no longer serves your purpose. You can’t carry weakness into your next chapter. Pain is the universal way of clearing your path. You don’t grow in comfort. You grow when life forces you to rebuild from nothing. When you start seeing pain as preparation, everything changes.

You stop asking why me and you start saying try me. You stop avoiding difficulty and start seeking challenge because you know that pressure makes diamonds and without the storm, you’d never discover how strong your roots are. Pain shows you who you truly are. When everything else is gone, it reveals your character, your hunger, your endurance. It’s easy to smile when life is perfect. It’s when your heart is shattered and your mind is dark that your real strength is born. There’s a part of you that only wakes up when you’re hurt. That’s the part that builds empires. That’s the part that wins. You can’t meet that version of yourself until you’ve been stripped bare. Until you’ve lost something that mattered. Until you’ve faced the kind of pain that makes you question everything. But once you face it and survive it, you become unstoppable. Because once you’ve been broken and rebuilt yourself from ashes, there’s nothing left in this world that can scare you. You’ve already seen the worst and you’re still standing. Pain is not punishment. It’s training. It’s life shaping your armor. Every time you go through something that hurts, you become harder to break the next time. Every setback is a lesson in disguise. Every betrayal teaches you not to depend too much. Every failure teaches you how to win. Every rejection teaches you how to value yourself. You start to realize that pain is not your enemy. It’s your coach. It’s the voice that says, “Get up. You’re not done yet.”

The difference between the weak and the strong isn’t that the strong feel less pain. It’s that they use it differently. Weak men let pain crush them. Strong men let pain carve them. Weak men complain. Strong men adapt.

Weak men beg for comfort. Strong men chase growth even when it hurts. Because they know growth doesn’t come from ease. It comes from endurance. And when you embrace that, life stops being something that happens to you and becomes something that happens for you. You have to stop running from pain. Stop trying to numb it. Feel it. Absorb it. Learn from it. Pain is a signal that something inside you needs to change. It’s a mirror showing you your limits and an invitation to break them. Every painful moment you survive adds a layer to your strength. Every scar becomes proof that you didn’t give up. That’s how warriors are made. Not through comfort, not through luxury, but through scars and survival. So when pain comes, don’t curse it. Thank it.

Because it’s preparing you for something greater. Maybe it’s preparing you to lead. Maybe it’s preparing you to love deeper. Maybe it’s preparing you to endure something massive and still stand tall. Whatever it is, understand that the pain you feel today is building the strength you’ll need tomorrow. Life doesn’t punish you, it prepares you. You just have to endure long enough to see what that pain was trying to make of you. So hold the line. Stay disciplined. Keep pushing. Even when your heart is bleeding. One day you’ll look back and realize the pain that once felt unbearable was actually the reason you became unbreakable. Pain isn’t your enemy. It’s your greatest ally in disguise. The fire that burns away your weakness and reveals your true power. It’s not punishment. It’s preparation.

Never chase what chose to leave your life.

That sentence alone can save you from years of emotional chaos and wasted energy. When something or someone decides to walk away from your life, a person, a friend, a relationship, even an opportunity, it’s not your job to chase it. It’s your job to understand that everything and everyone has a purpose and a season. Some people are meant to teach you, not stay with you.

Some experiences are meant to wake you up, not last forever. When you chase what’s walking away, you’re disrespecting your own value. You’re begging the universe to let you keep something that’s already served its purpose. You must learn this truth early. What is truly meant for you will never need to be forced. You don’t have to chase it, beg for it, or lose your self-respect to keep it. Real connections, real opportunities, and real love. They don’t require you to shrink yourself just to be chosen. When something or someone leaves, it’s a form of redirection, not rejection. It means that chapter of your life has ended. And holding on only delays your next blessing.

Why You Must Never Chase What Left You

But most people can’t let go because they confuse loss with failure. They think if someone leaves, it means they weren’t enough. That’s a lie. Their decision doesn’t define your worth. It reveals their capacity. The truth is when you chase someone who walks away, you’re not chasing love. You’re chasing closure, validation, and comfort. You’re chasing the illusion that things can go back to what they were. But nothing beautiful grows in the past. When someone leaves, they’re showing you where not to place your loyalty again.

It’s hard. It hurts and it burns. But that pain is the medicine that matures you because the moment you stop chasing, you start healing. The moment you stop running after people who’ve walked out, you start attracting what’s truly aligned with your soul. People often leave not because you did something wrong, but because their role in your story is finished. You were both growing, but sometimes growth pulls people in different directions. You might have been ready to go further while they wanted to stay the same. You might have been built for depth while they were built for distraction. You can’t force someone to match your frequency. You can’t make them see your value if their eyes are closed to it. Chasing them will only drain your energy and destroy your peace. Think about it. When you chase what’s leaving, you abandon yourself. You silence your pride. You lower your standards. And you start living in a cycle of emotional slavery. You become addicted to proving your worth to someone who stopped caring. That’s not love. That’s desperation disguised as devotion. Real strength is in walking away when everything inside you wants to stay. It’s in standing tall when your heart is begging you to run after them. Because walking away doesn’t mean you don’t care. It means you finally care about yourself more. The moment you stop chasing, you reclaim your power. You start to realize that what left was never meant to stay. And what’s meant to stay will never leave. Life always replaces loss with something better. But only happens after you let go. As long as you’re chasing ghosts, your hands are too full to receive new blessings. The world rewards those who can release with grace, not cling with fear. Let them go.

Let it end. And let life surprise you.

Because sometimes the universe removes people from your path, not to hurt you, but to protect you from the storm they carry. If they could walk away from you, let them. If they stop choosing you, stop begging them to reconsider. The energy you waste chasing someone who’s gone is the same energy that could rebuild you. Every time you chase, you delay your growth. Every time you beg, you shrink your spirit. The person who left might have been your comfort, but they were never your destiny. You can’t evolve by holding on to what was meant to leave. One day, you’ll look back and thank them for leaving because their absence forced you to discover your independence. Their silence taught you peace. Their rejection pushed you to realize you were the prize all along. You’ll look at yourself and realize that chasing them would have meant losing yourself. And no one is worth that price. The moment you stopped running after them, you started running toward your higher self. There’s power in stillness. There’s strength in not reacting. There’s peace in letting go with dignity. You don’t need closure from anyone who was willing to leave you behind. Their departure was the closure. Their absence is your answer. The universe doesn’t make mistakes. If they left, it’s because they weren’t built for the next level of your journey. You have to trust that what’s meant for you will recognize you without you needing to chase it. So the next time someone leaves, don’t run after them. Don’t text. Don’t beg. Don’t explain. Let them go. Mourn privately. Heal quietly and rise publicly. Use that energy to build your body, your mind, your career, your purpose. Let your success be the echo of what they lost. Because nothing haunts a person more than seeing you thrive after they walked away. Never chase what chose to leave your life. Because when something leaves you, it’s not a loss. It’s alignment. The universe is clearing space for something greater. Stop fighting it. Stop trying to resurrect what’s already dead. You deserve peace, not pain. You deserve presence, not pursuit. And the moment you truly let go, everything meant for you will start finding its way back. Not because you chased it, but because you finally made room for it. Discipline rebuilds what heartbreak destroyed. When heartbreak hits, it doesn’t just break your heart. It breaks your confidence, your focus, and your sense of direction. It drains the life out of you, makes you question your worth, and turns every day into a battle between your emotions and your responsibilities. You wake up heavy, you move slow, you overthink everything. The person you once were feels gone.

Discipline Rebuilds What Heartbreak Destroyed

But here’s the truth. Heartbreak is not the end of you. It’s the opportunity to rebuild yourself from zero. And the tool that makes that possible isn’t time alone. It’s discipline. Time doesn’t heal everything. Time gives you space. What you do in that space determines whether you rise again or stay broken. Discipline is the structure that carries you through the storm when motivation is gone. It’s the habit of doing what’s right even when your heart is shattered. When you choose discipline, you choose yourself. You choose to stop feeding the pain and start feeding your future.

Because the reality is no one’s going to fix you. No one’s going to drag you out of bed, silence your thoughts, or wipe away your tears. Healing is your job and discipline is the weapon that gets it done. When your heart is broken, emotions take control. You lose appetite, sleep, and ambition. You replay memories, stalk old messages, and convince yourself that you’ll never feel whole again. That’s the trap. Heartbreak tries to convince you that your story ended with someone else’s goodbye. But discipline reminds you that your story is far from over. Discipline says, “Get up, train, work, build.” It doesn’t care about your feelings. It cares about your growth. It pulls you out of that emotional pit and forces you to take control again. When your mind is chaos, routine becomes your anchor. Every time you choose discipline over despair, you rebuild a piece of yourself that heartbreak tried to destroy. The gym becomes your therapy. Your work becomes your mission. Your goals become your reason to keep moving. While others drown in self-pity, you use your pain as fuel. You take the same energy you use to love someone else and pour it into your evolution. That’s how you turn heartbreak into power. The discipline to show up every day, even when it hurts, that’s what separates those who stay broken from those who rise.

You have to understand, discipline isn’t about being emotionless. It’s about refusing to let your emotions control you. Heartbreak will make you want to stay in bed, skip the gym, isolate, and disappear. Discipline says, “No, you’ve cried enough. It’s time to build.” Because when you’re disciplined, you stop reacting to pain and start responding to it. You start channeling that emotional chaos into creation. You write, you lift, you grind, you learn. You become obsessed with becoming the version of yourself that pain tried to bury. Not easy. Every day you’ll feel the weight of memories trying to pull you back. You want to text them, check on them, remind them of what they lost. But discipline stops you. It whispers, “Don’t look back.” Because every time you look back, you slow down your comeback. You start realizing that chasing closure is pointless. The only closure you need is the success and peace that comes from rebuilding yourself. Discipline is the quiet revenge that doesn’t require words. It’s showing up to your life with intensity even when your heart is bleeding. And slowly something shifts. The pain doesn’t vanish overnight, but it loses control. You start feeling stronger, sharper, more focused. The sadness that once owned you becomes the fire that drives you. You start looking in the mirror and seeing progress, not in your emotions, but in your growth. That’s when you realize that heartbreak didn’t destroy you. It introduced you to your potential. The version of you that comes after heartbreak, built through discipline, is unstoppable. Because once you’ve rebuilt yourself from nothing, no loss can shake you again. Discipline teaches you that love is not about losing yourself and someone else. It’s about becoming someone so complete that you never have to. It reminds you that your worth doesn’t depend on who stays or leaves. It depends on your ability to stay committed to your mission even when your world falls apart. Every push-up, every early morning, every late night of grinding, that’s you taking your power back. That’s you proving that heartbreak can break your heart, but it can’t break your will. Discipline rebuilds what heartbreak destroyed because it replaces emotion with action, chaos with structure, and weakness with resilience. It becomes your compass when you’re lost. It gives you control when life feels out of control. When you master discipline, you no longer need anyone to validate you. You don’t chase attention; you create results. You don’t cry for love. You become love for yourself, for your future, for your purpose. One day, the same person who left you will look back and wonder how you turned your pain into power. But by then, you won’t even care because the version of you that discipline built will be too focused on what’s ahead to look behind. You’ll realize that heartbreak wasn’t a curse. It was the construction site for your greatness. And every brick was laid by discipline. So when life breaks you, don’t wait for someone to save you. Build yourself again.

The Greatest Revenge Is Undeniable Success

Build your mind. Build your empire. Let discipline be your healer, your weapon, your guide. Because discipline doesn’t just fix what heartbreak destroyed. It creates something even stronger in its place. Something unbreakable, something unstoppable. Something called you.

The greatest revenge is undeniable success. Nothing speaks louder, nothing cuts deeper, and nothing silences doubters faster than success that cannot be ignored. You can waste your energy trying to prove people wrong with words, arguments, or emotions. But the truth is, nothing destroys disbelief like results. When people betray you, mock you, abandon you, or underestimate you, the most powerful thing you can do is rise above them so high that they can’t even reach the level you’re standing on. Success doesn’t need explanations or apologies. It’s the ultimate answer to everything they ever said you couldn’t do. When someone hurts you, the first instinct is to react, to show anger, to fight back, to make them feel what they made you feel. But that reaction gives them power. It makes them part of your story when they don’t deserve to be. Success, however, is quiet vengeance. It’s not about destroying them. It’s about building yourself so completely that their opinion, their actions, and their presence become irrelevant. You don’t chase them. You don’t talk about them. You simply evolve beyond their reach. That’s when the tables turn. When the same people who laughed at you, have to watch you win from the sidelines. The greatest revenge isn’t shouting, “I told you so.” It’s being so far ahead that you don’t even need to. Because the truth is, revenge driven by anger fades. But revenge driven by growth lasts forever. When you focus your pain into purpose, your wounds become your fuel. Every doubt, every insult, every betrayal, it all becomes energy. You channel it into discipline, focus, and consistency. Or to waste time gossiping or doubting. You’re in the gym at your desk building something they can’t even comprehend. That’s how legends are made. Not by fighting back, but by outworking everyone who ever counted you out. Success is the loudest silence. It doesn’t argue. It just proves. It doesn’t announce. It shows. When you’re succeeding, you don’t have to say a word. Your presence does the talking. The same people who ignored your potential will be forced to respect your results.

That’s the beauty of success. It shifts power without confrontation. It turns pain into progress, rejection into redirection, and heartbreak into hunger. The person who succeeds after loss becomes untouchable because they’ve learned how to turn suffering into strategy. Think about every person who ever doubted you. Every time someone said you couldn’t make it, that you weren’t enough, that you didn’t have what it takes. All of it can become fuel if you choose to use it. You can either let it break you, or let it build you. Most people waste years trying to convince others of their worth. The strong ones stay silent, work in the dark, and let the results make the noise. The greatest revenge is walking into the same room where they once dismissed you. Not to prove yourself, but because you’ve already surpassed them. Success doesn’t just shut people up. It exposes truth. It reveals who really supported you and who secretly hoped you’d fail.

It shows who believed in you because they loved you and who only loved you when you were small. When you succeed, the masks fall off. People suddenly “knew” you’d make it. But you’ll remember the silence when you struggled. That’s why success should never just be about proving others wrong. It should be about proving to yourself that you were always right to believe in your own potential. There is something poetic about winning quietly. No rants, no speeches, just elevation. You go from being the underdog to being the example. You inspire others who were counted out just like you were. You become the person people point to and say, “If he can do it, so can I.”

That’s real revenge. Turning your pain into a road map for others. Because success not only heals your wounds, it redeems your struggle. Every lonely night, every failure, every betrayal becomes part of the story that leads to your victory.

Your Comeback Starts After the Pain

To get there though, you have to be willing to sacrifice. Success isn’t built on comfort. It’s built on consistency. You have to wake up early, stay disciplined, ignore distractions, and focus on your vision. Let people talk. Let them doubt. Their noise will fade. Your results won’t. The path to success is lonely, but it’s worth every second of solitude. Because once you reach that level where your success speaks for you, you won’t need to defend yourself anymore. Your achievements will do it for you. And here’s the best part.

When you finally succeed, you’ll realize you don’t even need revenge anymore. You won’t care who left, who lied, or who doubted or betrayed you, because you’ll be too busy living the life they said you couldn’t have. Success purifies your soul. It teaches you that the best way to get even is not by tearing others down, but by building yourself up so high that their negativity can’t touch you. You’ll reach a point where your peace, your growth, and your accomplishments mean more than any petty win. The greatest revenge is undeniable success because it transforms pain into purpose, hate into hunger, betrayal, and rejection into rebirth. It’s not about ego. It’s about evolution. It’s about rising so far above the noise that no one can question your value again. So, stop talking. Stop chasing validation. Stop trying to prove yourself to people who will never see your vision. Let your work, your focus, and your results be your response. Stay disciplined. Stay hungry. And let your success echo through the silence. Because when it’s all said and done, nothing hits harder than success that speaks for itself.

Undeniable, unshakable, and unforgettable. So when life tests you, when people betray you, when love fades and the world doubts you, don’t waste your breath trying to make them understand. Let your silence speak through your transformation. Every late night, every drop of sweat, every sacrifice you make in the dark is building the version of you that no one will be able to ignore. That’s the real victory. Because success doesn’t need validation. It commands respect. The ones who left will remember your name, not because you reminded them, but because your achievements became too loud to be silenced. Keep your vision clear. Your circle small and your focus sharp. Don’t fight to prove your worth. Live in a way that makes it undeniable. One day, when you stand at the top, you’ll realize the pain was the price of greatness. You’ll understand that revenge was never about them. It was always about you becoming who you were always meant to be. So, keep building. Keep rising. Let them talk while you transform. Because the greatest revenge, the sweetest victory, the loudest roar is your undeniable success. Shining so bright that the same people who doubted you can only watch in silence and wish they never did.

One thing I’ve always liked in science fiction and fantasy literature is the diversity of languages to be found. Yet in most TTRPGs, there seems to be a deficiency of languages. Yes, there is a short list along with a sub list of languages, but they are mostly racial, species, or alignment tongues. As someone who prefers a good mix of non-human and human-centric style gaming, having Klang the Klingon learn “Lyranian” or “Bleploppian” is next to useless, and doesn’t really represent even the base-line game’s assumption of sentient thinking beings as the predominant races in existence.

This has always made little to no sense to me, as language is not something really complicated to add to a game or implement during gameplay.

In our real-world past, language was not necessarily exclusive to the scholarly realm. There’s plenty of evidence that common folk around the ancient Mediterranean, for instance, where trade was common and written languages were often assumed from foreign countries, knew a few languages other than their own as a matter-of-fact, with the scholarly types being adept in a dozen or more. Even today, in geographical areas like Europe, where there are a lot of languages spoken in a relatively small area, it is common to be adept at two or three languages, with a passing knowledge of several more. A recent girlfriend from Bulgaria speaks English, Turkish, and Romani fluently, and can get by conversationally in Arabic, Spanish, and French, and professes to have never studied a foreign language past what passes for high school over there.

Here is my take on some of the more/most common languages and or dialects a PC might know or run into in my weird science fiction fantasy homebrew game, Veiled Echoes of Future Past in Neverwhere. For this entry, I’m presenting some “basic” languages to use in your games. Each language has a generic and/or a specific name, so it can be easily dropped into any campaign; you may want to rename each, as appropriate, to give it that much more flavor or to make it your own at your table.

For my campaign, I’m allowing characters to start with up to four languages, with more based on their Intelligence bonuses, with the ability to learn more languages upon gaining odd-numbered levels (3rd, 5th, etc). You may want to increase or decrease that according to your preference, or just base their learning new tongues on some in-play criteria.

Do You Speak It?

Common - This remains the baseline language of most cultures. By that, I mean the generic language native to the majority of your game’s species, races, worlds, ect.

Maiusculus Canto - This tongue is an older version of common, perhaps comparable to Old English or Latin, out of use by common folk, but still learned and used to an extent by scholars, nobility, and perhaps the magic users and scholars in your campaign.

Arcana - This is the language of magic, used exclusively by those properly inducted into the secretive guilds and orders who practice the arcane arts. More a language of “science” than of conversation, not unlike what you may hear physicists or chemist rattling off.

Fringer - This is the language(s) of beings and the races from the edges of known space and dimensions, like the native tongue of the Fungi of Yoggoth or the men of Carcosa, or the Vong from the expanded Star Wars lore. These are a collection of highly different and eclectic languages of truly alien sentient beings. Some that are unpronounceable to humans, as the vocalizations are beyond what a human can physically intone. Or use means such as multi-limbs, insectoid clicks, alien reverberations, energy effects, pheramones, ect to be fully spoken. These languages are often referred to as Xeno tongues by the core civilizations in the core worlds. Useful to know for PCs frequenting often raided borderlands, or dealing with the plentiful Xeno types from these remote lands and rim worlds.

Khor-Vasi - Born in the shifting, radioactive reality-shifting dunes of the outlands and forged in the brutal, hyper-industrial foundry-cities, Khor-Vasi is the undisputed lingua franca of the wastes. It is a language of survival, trade, and high science. It uses sharp, guttural phonetics to cut through the howling radioactive winds, while the master architects and cyber-engineers of the spire-cities use its mathematical precision to blueprint impossible monuments and techno-arcane engines. To the untrained ear, it sounds like metallic clicking and grinding stone; to the initiated, it is the purest expression of logic and geometry in the cosmos.

Wildling - This is the tongue of the “Old Folk” from previous long lost aons and prior civilizations. Not unlike the Celtic, Wohl, or Viking languages, it is the language of the remnants of the old tribes still practicing the old ways, and often confined to the wilder corners of the civilized universe. Its written form is runic, and often found carved in megalithic stones, ruins, and cairns.

Bio-Vocalic - This is the savage, overlapping lexicon of the deep southern jungles, where untamed nature and weird, ancient alien science bleed together. The language shifts like quicksilver from tribe to tribe, combining ancestral native dialects with sharp, alien throat-singing that cuts right through the dense swamp-drone. To survive the exotic perils of these lost worlds, outland pioneers must quickly learn to parse its wild, untamed rhythms. A basic understanding can be achieved. A necessary language for explorers of lost worlds and exotic locales.

Trade Language 1through 6 - The languages of traders and merchants, serving a role similar to the tongues of Renaissance Earth, Phoenicia, or Venice. Always useful to know, as almost any civilized lands, dimensions, and worlds the PCs are likely to travel to will have at least a few individuals conversant in this language for the sake of the greatest motivator of all: Wealth!

Ancient/Progenitor - The language of lost civilizations of eons past. Likely found only spoken by obscure cults, lost cities, and with a written form appearing as pictographs or hieroglyphs. Or by members of an ancient and/or progenitor. Another useful tongue for adventurers, at least for those with more scholarly tendencies. Or for adventurers delving into the mysteries of the extreme past and the edges of reality.

UnderWorld Tongue - The mish-mash language of pirates and dark ports of call that serve as melting pots for the thieves and rogues of dozens of cultures and races. Useful to know for adventures of a dubious nature, and the foundation for what is sometimes known as “thieves’ cant”. Below are some common dialects and variants.

The Baseline: Slip-Cant

Slip-Cant is the jagged, neon-bruised slang born in the lawless spaceports, asteroid-taverns, and dark ports of call where the multiverse’s scum congeal. It is a hyper-kinetic, ever-shifting dialect that blends stolen military codes, alien curses, and the frantic hand-signs of void-thieves into a single, cohesive underworld tongue. For any scoundrel or anti-hero embarking on adventures of a highly dubious nature, mastering the Cant is the only way to trade illicit cargo without getting a plasma bolt to the chest.

Sub-Dialect 1: Void-Jargon (The Corsair Tongue)

Smelling of ozone, spilled synthetic ale, and black-market fuel, Void-Jargon is the bastard tongue of the cosmic backwaters. Cooked up by space-corsairs, interdimensional renegades, and multi-species cutthroats, it fuses dozens of dead world languages into a sharp, utilitarian code. It serves as the ultimate deep-space pirate slang—a necessary tool for navigating a galaxy of lawless frontiers and back-alley crew contracts.

Sub-Dialect 2: Low-Chroma (The Street & Slum Shorthand)

Low-Chroma is the gritty, polyglot street-slang whispered in the shadow of rusting star-hulks and lawless orbital slums. It is a masterclass in survivalist shorthand, combining cybernetic data-bursts, ancient maritime slang, and the guttural dialects of the outer rings into a fast-talking dialect for the desperate. If you’re a rogue running with a crew of multi-versal drifters on the neon-lit neon streets, this is the language of the heist and the getaway.

Sub-Dialect 3: Scum-Phonix (The Black-Market Encryption)

Born from the lawless collision of a thousand desperate cultures, Scum-Phonix is the official dialect of the multiverse’s darkest black markets and smuggling rings. It is a beautifully chaotic mess of pirate jargon, data-encryption chatter, and raw street-grit that serves as a hyper-obscured sub-cant across every shady port of call. For mercenaries and smugglers operating on the wrong side of interstellar law, it is the ultimate tool for keeping the authorities completely in the dark.

There you go! I hope these can get you started. The next step is, of course, to actually utilize them in your campaigns, the easiest ways being through treasure maps, tricky employers, and expeditions to faraway places. If you make it more profitable through wealth and xp for your players to be proactive in learning and utilizing the many languages of your campaign setting, they’ll adopt the custom quickly, and give that much more atmosphere and immersion to your game!

Till Next Time. Keep those Dice rolling and the Imagination going!

Think of them as extra content/ Directors Cuts, or tie-ins to the core magazine content. Until then, check out my already published content in Mad Scribe magazine # 13 and # 14, but why stop there? Check out the entire line of OSR gaming products from Mad Scribe Games at drivethrurpg.com/en/pub…

As one of my player’s characters, Nyx “the Glitch Concubitia Sin” Kyvixx Inferna would say, “Are you tempted?”

Nyx’s character art and “theme song,” The Glitch Mob - How to Be Eaten By A Woman, below. Talk to you all soon!

So here I am again. This is an inspired post and a three-monster drop that you can as a DM/GM drop into your game to harass and menace your players’ party of adventurers. Why these creatures, and why is it inspired? Well, recently we have had a bit of a real-life minor invasion of Scolopendra heros at one of the home locations. This prompted me to create three OSR/BX monster versions for use at my and your table. I kept the post brief because sometimes that is all that is needed, and because I am prepping for the next issue from the OSR publisher Mad Scribe Games, who will be featuring some of my work again, as well as other creators from the OSR creative space. You can find the latest two issues featuring my work and Mad Scribe’s entire line of their magazine and other creators’ TTRPG products they have published here at Mad Scribe Games. Till next time, it’s a Bug Hunt!

The Scollopax

The Vermillion Rubricatus Llano Scollopax. These nocturnal horrors are the scourge of desert dwellers. With a chitinous, segmented carapace that glimmers with a metallic, iridescent hue, they move with a terrifying, rhythmic clicking. Their bite delivers a potent neurotoxin that causes agonizing, burning pain.

STR14 (+1) Exceptional grip and crushing power in the mandibles.

INT2 (-4) Animal intelligence; driven purely by predatory instinct.

WIS12 (0) Highly perceptive; impossible to surprise under normal conditions.

DEX16 (+2) Blinding speed and rhythmic, fluid movement.

CON13 (+1) Resilient chitin; highly resistant to environmental hazards.

CHA3 (-3) Repulsive and terrifying to behold.

• Armor Class: 5 [14]

• Hit Dice: 3* (13 HP)

• Attacks: 1 bite + 1d6 damage + poison

• THAC0: 17 [+2]

• Saving Throw: Fighter 3

• Special Abilities:

  • Neurotoxic Bite: Anyone bitten must save vs. Poison or suffer excruciating pain, resulting in a -2 penalty to hit and damage for 1d6 turns as they struggle to focus.

  • Quick Reflexes: These creatures strike first in a round unless the opponent has an initiative bonus (e.g., Dexterity bonus).

  • Wall/Ceiling Cling: Can move across any surface, including ceilings, without penalty.

• Movement: 120’ (40’)

• Morale: 8

• Alignment: Neutral

• XP Value: 65

• Treasure: None (unless found in a lair, where they may be surrounded by the dessicated remains of previous victims, containing a total of 1d100 gp worth of loose, scavenged coinage).

  

  Tactical Notes for “Veiled Echoes of Future Past in Neverwhere”

• Behavior: They are not mindless beasts; they are ambush hunters. If encountered in an indoor setting, they will often wait near the ceiling or behind heavy machinery/furniture, dropping onto the rear of the party to target the weakest link.

• Environment: They are attracted to warmth and vibrations. Often, the targets only see a “rushing wave of clatter,” providing a sensory warning to the players before the light catches their red, chitinous heads.

• Size: 6 to 12 feet long

Parasitic Ōmukade (Giant Mountain Centipede)

A colossal, multi-segmented nightmare is a relic of prehistoric bio-engineering or ancient, cursed bio-engineering. Striking with devastating speed, it doesn't just devour its prey—it sometimes uses its victims to spawn a localized zombie-like thrall hive-mind.

Attribute Benchmarks (For Attribute/Stat Checks)

• Strength: 22 (+4)

Feats of Power: The creature possesses terrifying, bio-mechanical muscle density. It can crush military-grade bunkers, effortlessly overturn armored vehicles, and snap steel bulkheads with its mandibles. Any player attempting a contested Strength check against it (like trying to break a grapple) suffers a -5 penalty to their roll.

• Dexterity: 15 (+1)

Speed & Agility: For a creature of its massive, multi-segmented size, it is horrifyingly fast. Its many legs allow it to move across walls and ceilings with a fluid, liquid-like momentum, dodging heavy ordnance with sudden, unnatural jerks.

• Constitution: 18 (+3)

Structural Integrity: Its heavy, metallic-sheened exoskeleton functions like tank armor. It completely ignores small-arms fire and ballistic grazes. Its physiology is resilient enough to withstand cave-ins and localized explosions inside confined mountain mines.

• Intelligence: 6 (-1)

Cunning Hive-Mind: While it lacks human reason, it possesses a dark, predatory cunning. It understands tactical ambushes, isolates targets, and coordinates its infected human thralls via a localized bio-frenzy.

• Wisdom: 12 (0)

Perception: Its sensitive antennae can detect the minor vibrations of a human heartbeat or the hum of an energy weapon through solid rock up to 120 feet away. It cannot be surprised in total darkness.

• Charisma: 3 (-3)

Abominable Aura: A writhing, chittering horror that induces immediate panic.

Armor Class2 [17] (Heavy, chitinous plating)

Hit Dice 9+3 (HD 9+3, approx. 55 hp)

Attacks1 × bite (2d6 + poison) or 1 × trample (3d4)

THAC011 [+8]

Movement120’ (40’) / 90’ (30’) climbing

Saving Throws D10 W11 P12 B13 S14 (9th-level Fighter)

Morale10

AlignmentNeutral (Chaotic tendencies)

XP Value2,300

Treasure TypeF (Found deep within its mountain lair/nest)

Combat & Special Abilities

• Lethal Neurotoxic Bite: Targets bitten must save vs. Poison.

  • Failure: The target suffers an additional 2d8 poison damage and is paralyzed for 1d4 hours.

  • Success: The target still takes 1d6 additional poison damage from the sheer volume of the toxin.

• Wall-Walking: Can scale vertical surfaces and ceilings at full climbing speed without penalty, often dropping from above to ambush unsuspecting parties.

• Trample: Instead of biting, the Ōmukade can sweep across a 10’ × 20’ area, crushing smaller opponents. Characters in the zone must save vs. Death/Paralysis or take 3d4 crushing damage and be knocked prone.

Weird Sci-Fi Fantasy Abilities: The Parasitic Spawn

• Infest (Recharge on a 5-6): Once every 3 rounds, instead of a standard attack, the Ōmukade can violently regurgitate a swarm of smaller, writhing larval parasites at a single target within 30’. The target must succeed on a Save vs. Death.

  • Failure: The micro-centipedes burrow rapidly beneath the skin. The host immediately loses control of their body, becoming an Infested Shell under the creature’s hive-mind control.

• The Infested Shells (Zombie-like Thralls):

  • Victims retain their current hit points but gain a +2 bonus to Armor Class as chitinous plates and insectoid legs violently erupt from their flesh and wounds.

  • They will immediately use whatever weapons or natural attacks they have on hand to defend the mother Ōmukade.

• If the host body is reduced to 0 hit points, the controlling parasite dies, freeing the corpse (or allowing for powerful magical resurrection/neutralization if performed immediately).

Infested Shell Thralls:

Omukade Thrall

Armor Class 5 [14] (Subdermal chitinous plating and erratic movement)

Hit Dice 2+2 (HD 2, approx. 11 hp)

Attacks1 × Weapon (by type) or 2 × Parasitic Mandibles (1d4 / 1d4)

THAC0 18 [+1]

Movement 90’ (30’)

Saving Throws D12 W13 P14 B15 S16 (Fighter 2)

Morale 12 (Fearless while under hive-mind control)

Alignment Chaotic

XP Value 38 XP

Treasure TypeV (Whatever gear or small personal items they had on them when taken)

Combat & Special Abilities

• Hive-Mind Fearlessness (Morale 12): Infested Shells feel no pain, fear, or self-preservation. They never check morale and fight to absolute destruction unless the mother Ōmukade commands them to retreat.

• Weapons of the Host: Because the parasite commands the host’s nervous system, the shell can clumsily wield whatever weapons the victim died with (e.g., standard pulp-grit firearms, tools, or melee weapons).

• Erupting Mandibles: If unarmed or in close-quarters grapple, insectoid pincers and chitinous legs rip forward from the host’s mouth or throat, allowing them to make two tearing claw/bite attacks per round for 1d4 damage each.

• Unnatural Resilience: Due to the parasite knit-wiring the host’s organs together, non-ballistic piercing weapons (like arrows or spears) do half damage. They are completely immune to sleep, charm, or psychological effects.

Physical Attribute Benchmarks (For Stat/Attribute Checks)

• Strength: 14 (+1) – Driven past normal human limits by bio-chemical overdrive.

• Dexterity: 9 (0) – Jerky, spasming, and uncoordinated, but relentless.

• Constitution: 16 (+2) – The parasite acts as an internal splint, keeping a broken body moving.

If you still need more for this multi-limbed creeper at your table, please check out the legend of the Ōmukade and even more here and more here.

There is even a film featuring this type of creature that looks like wicked fun.

You can use these as you see fit in your own gaming world. I drew this up while sitting with my plate after visiting the salad bar of my favorite mom-and-pop Chinese restaurant. Pick and pull what you want and leave the rest,….just like the said salad bar.

So feel free to mix and match, pick apart, reassemble,….just go crazy and make these tables yours. Above all else have fun out there in your game worlds!

Start with a base temperature for your current neck of the campaign woods:
Climate Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall (av. temp in degrees F)
Equatorial 70/80/110/80
Tropical 60/80/100/70
Sub-Temperate 50/65/85/60
Temperate 30/50/70/40
Sub-Arctic 10/20/40/20
These temperatures will range from +10 degrees at 4 pm to -10 degrees at 4 am.

Then roll 1d20 for any temperature changes that day:
1-10 - Temperature stays the same as yesterday.
11 - Slightly Warmer +5 degrees
12 - Slighly Cooler -5 degrees
13 - Much Warmer +10 degrees
14 - Much Cooler -10 degrees
15 - Hotter +20 degrees
16 - Colder -20 degrees
17 - Scorcher +30 degrees
18 - Cold Snap -30 degrees
19 - Heat Wave +40 degrees
20 - Freezing -40 degrees

Then roll 1d12 for precipitation (adjust by climate, -4 to roll in Arid Regions):
1-2 - No change, same as yesterday.
3-5 - Dry as a Bone, Sunny
6-7 - Light Precip: Icy Mist/Fog, etc
8-9 - Precipitation: Light Rain, Snow, etc
10 - Heavy Precip: Swirling Snow, Pounding Rain
11 - Heavy Storms: Thunder/Lightning w/sleet, hail, heavy snow/rain
12 - Violent Storms: Monsoon/Blizzard/Hurricane conditions (seek cover!)

Things Get Weird(er)

By blending mundane and gonzo weather patterns as I do in my games, it fits that gritty, high-contrast, pulp science-fantasy aesthetic perfectly. For a setting like this, I use environmental hazards that force players to adapt, which can be incredible for a “real world” set of mechanics. How do I structure the gameplay effects for those gonzo patterns? For instance, does something like mutagenic rain cause immediate stat degradation, mutation, or is it a slower, creeping corruption mechanic that forces them to find immediate shelter? I do a little of both. This does two things at the table. One, it keeps things dynamic and never boring, and it simulates the unpredictability of the weather.

So why is this a cool thing for the gaming table? The idea is that a regular shower just forces them to adapt and seek shelter, while a full-blown “gonzo thunderstorm” forces rolled saves against a mutation table, creates incredible tension. Players dread losing control of their character sheets, but the fact that a roll could technically give them a bizarre, useful adaptation (or completely wreck their stats) keeps them hooked on the gamble.

Atmospheric Anomalies of the Ninety-Seventh Epoch

The sky above the Crystal Spires does not weep water; it bleeds an indigo oil that stains the flesh of men a deep, bruised blue for days after the clouds have passed.

They say the blue rain is all that remains of the Red Queen’s final war—a conflict fought ninety-seven million years ago by automatons whose rusted gears still click inside the mountain vaults, executing orders from programmers who turned to dust before the continents drifted back together. If you hunker down beneath the corroded hull of a downed dreadnought while the storm rages, you can look up through the chemical haze and see them: a ghostly horde of non-human riders, silhouetted against the cracked face of the moon, endlessly charging toward a battle lines that vanished before humanity’s second birth.

In the Ninety-Seventh Epoch, the line between high sorcery and hard science has been worn away by the sheer friction of time. A localized thunderstorm is rarely just weather; it is a localized reality-warp, a chemical deluge, or a drifting cloud of microscopic mutagenic nanite spore.

EXTRACTS FROM THE ALMANAC OF THE LONG CENTURY

Being a Compendium of Atmospherics, Anomalies, and Celestial Disasters across the Ninety-Seventh Epoch, compiled by Xander the Scribe during his pilgrimage through the Red Queen’s Demesne.

Entry 42: The Azure Deluge (The Blue Rain)

The Journal Entry:

“We reached the foothills of the Crystal Spires just as the wind turned chemical. The clouds did not form; they coalesced like oil on a dark pond. Then came the Indigo Oil. It falls thick, smelling of old copper and dead batteries. We scrambled beneath the rusted ribs of a downed dreadnought to escape it. I watched a feral scavenger beast get caught in the open—within three minutes, its gray hide had stained a deep, bruised indigo. It does not burn the flesh, but the mark is stubborn; my own hands are still stained from a stray mist three cycles ago. But worse than the stain is the moon-chase. When the Azure clouds part at midnight, the phantom legion of non-human riders appears against the cracked moon, endlessly riding toward a frontline that turned to ash a million years ago. If you look at them too long, the mind begins to wander with them.”

The Game Mechanics:

When an Azure Deluge (Blue Rain) rolls onto the weather track, apply the following effects immediately:

The Indigo Stain: Any character or piece of organic gear exposed to the rain for more than 3 rounds is dyed a permanent, vibrant indigo blue. The stain lasts for 1d6 weeks and cannot be washed out. While stained, characters suffer a -2 penalty to Stealth checks in natural environments but gain a +2 bonus to Charisma (Intimidate) checks among superstitious wastelanders who view the mark as an omen.

The Phantom Horizon: At midnight during the storm, the ghostly, automated time-loop of the Moon-Chasers the vast non human war horde of the Indigons becomes visible. Characters on watch must make a Willpower / Mental Fortitude Save. Failure means they become fascinated by the endless march, suffering a -4 penalty to passive perception for the remainder of the night as their minds drift into the ancient past.

Entry 45: The Gonzo Tempest (The Gamma-Tier Storm)

The Journal Entry:

“The sky did not rain tonight; it spat grain. A drifting, howling gale of microscopic mutagenic dust—the dregs of some ancient bio-weapon payload sleeping in the stratosphere, awakened by a shift in the heat. The air shimmered with an unnatural neon green. We sealed our respirators, but the seals on Joram’s mask were cracked. By the time the thunder stopped, his skin had grown thick and pebbled like river stone. He claims he can no longer feel the bite of cold steel against his arm, but his mind is slow today, heavy like the rock he resembles. The sky reshapes us in its own image.”

The Game Mechanics:

A Gonzo Tempest is a severe environmental hazard. Traveling through it is impossible without sealed suits or heavy shelter.

Atmospheric Exposure: Every 10 minutes spent unprotected in the tempest requires a Fortitude / Constitution Save.

The Unstable Adaptation Table: If a character fails the save by 5 or more, or stays exposed for a full hour, they must roll on the Unstable Adaptation Table (1d100).

Roll (d100) Mutation Effect Game Mechanic

01-10 Dermal Plating Skin thickens into a pebbled, stone-like hide. Gain +2 Natural Armor, but lose -1 Agility / Reflexes due to joint stiffness.

11-20 Ocular Shift Eyes milk over with a pearlescent film. Gain Darkvision up to 60 feet, but suffer Disadvantage in direct sunlight.

21-30 Cellular Degradation The mutagenic grain attacks muscle tissue. Permanent loss of 1d4 Strength until treated with pre-collapse medicine.

How to Use the Almanac at Your Table (The DM’s Guide)

As a Game Master, this Almanac gives you three distinct ways to handle the environment:

The Hex-Crawl Roll: When players enter a new region, roll a d20. On a 1-15, the weather is Mundane (standard Earth rain/fog described through Xander’s eyes). On a 16-20, a Gonzo Anomaly rolls in. Now let’s get weirder and maximum pulp!

The 1D20 Pulp Weird Science-Fantasy Weather Table

1 - The Neon Shimmer. The sky turns a strobing, high-contrast magenta. Air tastes heavily of copper and ozone. Laser / Energy Surge: All energy weapons deal +1\+6 damage, but a natural 1 on an attack roll causes the weapon to violently overheat, forcing it to be dropped.

2 - Chrono-Silt Flurries. Swirling, glittering silver sand drifts down slowly, causing local space to visually stutter and lag. Time Dilation: Movement speeds are halved. At the start of their turn, characters must roll a d6; on a 1, their actions are delayed to the end of the round.

3 - The Cobalt Scream. Deep blue lightning arcs upward from the ground into a pitch-black sky, accompanied by a deafening, harmonic drone. Sonic Overload: High-tech comms and sensors are fried. Heavy armor acts as a lightning rod—anyone in metal armor takes 1D6 electricity damage per round unless they seek immediate shelter.

4 - Phlogistic Fog. A dense, swirling emerald-green mist blankets the area. It smells like sulfur and burning fuel. Combustible Air: Any open flame, plasma discharge, or spark triggers a sudden localized explosion 2D6 fire damage to anyone within 10 feet).

5 - The Rust Monsoon. A downpour of fine, oxidized orange particulate that falls with the weight of heavy hail. Rapid Degradation: Unprotected metallic gear, vehicles, and cybernetics lose 1 point of structural integrity or armor value per hour of exposure.

6 - Xeno-Pollen Gale. Howling winds carry thick clouds of glowing, bioluminescent yellow spores stripped from alien flora. Hallucinatory Haze: Requires a saving throw vs spell to avoid vivid, disorienting hallucinations. Failing means enemies look like allies, and terrain features appear to shift position.

7 - The Obsidian Slush. Thick, black oil drops from the sky, instantly freezing into a razor-sharp, glass-like crust upon hitting the ground. Slick & Sharp: Moving faster than half-speed requires an agility check. Falling prone inflicts 1D4 slashing damage from the brittle, glassy ground.

8 - Biostatic Aurora. Shifting curtains of violet and lime-green light drape across the low sky, crackling with raw, organic electricity. Techno-Dampening: Purely mechanical gear functions normally, but advanced electronics, AI assistants, and energy shields are completely shorted out.

9 - Gravity Wells. Vertical columns of localized purple light descend from the clouds, shifting erratically across the landscape. Localized Weightlessness: Inside a well, gravity flips or vanishes. Projectiles curve wildly, jumping height triples, and heavy objects float away.

10 - The Rad-Ice Squall. A sudden, brutal blizzard of glowing, neon-blue ice crystals that hum with radioactive energy. Thermal & Rad Hazard: Deals minor cold damage each round, 1D4 and prolonged exposure inflicts a level of radiation sickness or exhaustion that saps physical stats.

11 - Mercury Dew. A fine, silver mist settles on everything, forming perfectly spherical, mirror-like beads of liquid metal. Frictionless Terrain: Ranged attacks using physical projectiles reflect unpredictably off hard surfaces. A 2 in 20 chance to be hit by a ricochet. Dropped items slide away at high speed.

12 - The Void Eclipse. A localized solar anomaly rolls in like a fog bank, casting a pitch-black shadow while leaving the surrounding regions in daylight. Absolute Darkness: Thermal imaging and night vision fail inside the shadow. Only raw, chemical flares, natural ability, or magical/anomalous light sources can pierce it.

13 - Living Thunder. The clouds form massive, shifting geometric shapes, and the thunderclaps sound like spoken words in a dead, booming language. Psychic Backlash: The sheer mental weight of the sound forces characters to make a mental save, (save vs Dragon breath weapon) or be suppressed/stunned on their turn.

14 - The Amber Melt. Hot, viscous, translucent orange sap rains down in thick droplets, rapidly cooling into solid amber. Sticky Trap: Targets caught in the open have their movement progressively reduced each round (-2 to move per round), until they are completely restrained in hardened amber casings.

15 - Spectral Heatwave The temperature spikes to blistering levels, but there is no sun; instead, ghostly, shifting heat mirages of ancient ruins flicker in the air. Phantoms of the Past: The mirages hide actual terrain features or enemies, +2 to stealth per round, eventually granting total concealment to anyone standing inside a hallucinated structure.

16 - The Plasma Drizzle. Microscopic beads of superheated plasma fall like a gentle, sparking golden rain. Shield Drain: Energy shields and force fields take constant, steady damage, 1D4 but the ambient energy instantly recharges depleted battery cells left out in the open.

17 - The Ash Winds. A scorching, bone-dry gale carrying the fine white ash of incinerated worlds or anomalous burnt biomes.Suffocation Risk: Heavy breathing without a respirator or filtration mask causes choking, penalizing all physical actions and attack rolls. Save vs Poison for half dmg.

18 - The Prism Veil. Rain falls through a sudden atmospheric fracture, splitting light into blinding, laser-sharp rainbow beams across the ground. Refraction Blindness: Looking anywhere near the horizon causes temporary blindness for 3 turns. Laser weapons firing through the veil split into three weaker beams - 3 pts dmg, hitting random adjacent targets.

19 - The Vitriol Downpour. A highly acidic, yellow-tinted rain that causes the ground to hiss, bubble, and dissolve into sinkholes. Eroding Cover: Any non-anomalous cover or structures providing protection dissolve after 1D4 rounds, forcing characters to constantly move.

20 - The Singularity Front. A terrifying, slow-moving wall of distorted space where the horizon twists into an impossible spiral. The Map Reshuffler: The GM randomly rolls to swap the physical locations of key terrain features, cover blocks, or even characters on the battle map.

GM Tip: When rolling a new anomaly mid-encounter, give the players 1 round of warning using the “Visuals & Atmosphere” before the “Mechanical Twist” hits. It gives them one desperate turn to scramble for cover, swap weapons, or brace themselves.

If a character fails a saving throw against a specific weather event (like breathing the Xeno-Pollen Gale or getting struck by Living Thunder), they develop the corresponding biological mutation below. These mutations match that classic, high-contrast, aesthetic—offering a mix of bizarre physical transformations, strange new abilities, and distinct pulp weird sci-fi/fantasy drawbacks.

The 1D20 Mutation Table

1 - The Neon Shimmer. Chromoluminescent Skin - Your flesh permanently pulses with shifting, strobing magenta light.

Twist: You can emit a blinding flash once per encounter to daze nearby enemies, save VS spell, but stealth is now completely impossible for you.

2 - Chrono-Silt Flurries. Temporal Stutter - Your limbs occasionally blur and desynchronize from the current timeline.

Twist: Once per combat, you can reroll a failed agility check or attack. However, you suffer a -2 penalty to initiative as your mind lags behind reality.

3 - The Cobalt Scream. Harmonic Carapace - Jagged, deep-blue crystalline shards burst from your shoulders and forearms.

Twist: You gain a bonus to armor class +2 and can absorb electricity damage, but you constantly emit a low, audible hum that alerts enemies.

4 - Phlogistic Fog. Volatile Lungs - Your breath turns into a thick, visible emerald vapor, and your throat burns with a sulfurous fire.

Twist: You can exhale a 15-foot cone of flammable gas that ignites with sparks, 2D6 Dmg, but you take half damage from any external fire attacks.

5 - The Rust Monsoon. Ferrophagic Touch - Your fingers harden, turning a dark, oxidized orange, and sweat secretes a corrosive acid.

Twist: Your unarmed strikes can melt and ruin enemy metal armor, 1D6 dmg, but holding or using standard metallic weapons or tools slowly degrades them.

6 - Xeno-Pollen. GaleSpore-Bearing Tendrils - Small, bioluminescent yellow tendrils erupt from your neck or collarbone, shedding glowing spores.

Twist: You are immune to plant-based toxins and hallucinogens, but you occasionally suffer brief, vivid waking dreams that distract you mid-combat. Those nearby, 15 feet and less must save vs poison.

7 - The Obsidian Slush. Glass-Shard Maw - Your teeth shatter and regrow as razor-sharp, pitch-black obsidian crystals.

Twist: Your bite attack deals lethal, armor-piercing slashing damage, 1D4 per bite, but your fragile teeth break on impact; you must eat raw minerals to regrow them.

8 - Biostatic Aurora. Bio-Electric Antennae - Two twitching, insectoid antennae grow from your brow, crackling with violet sparks.

Twist: You can sense electronic signatures and hidden machinery through solid walls, but you take a penalty to saves against sensory or flashbang attacks. +2 to detect/-2 to save

9 - Gravity Wells. Buoyant Mass - Your density shifts; your hair and loose clothing constantly float upward as if underwater.

Twist: Your jumping distance is tripled, and you take zero falling damage, but you are easily knocked back or thrown by heavy winds and physical impacts. Save vs spell to negate fall and knock back.

10 - The Rad-Ice. SquallIsotope Blood - Your veins glow with a bright neon-blue hue, carrying supercooled, radioactive fluid.

Twist: Anyone who bites or cuts you in melee combat takes immediate radiation damage, 1D6 radiation dmg, save vs spells for half dmg, but your body requires constant cold temperatures to avoid overheating.

11 - Mercury Dew. Liquid-Mirror Eyes - Your eyes lose their pupils, transforming into solid, shifting pools of reflective liquid mercury.

Twist: You gain perfect 360-degree vision and cannot be blinded by light, but you look deeply uncanny, penalizing your social interactions with baseline humans. -1 to Cha and Com.

12 - The Void Eclipse. Umbral Veil - Shifting, pitch-black shadows cling to your silhouette, swallowing local light sources.

Twist: You gain a massive bonus to stealth and can vanish completely in darkness, +5 but standing in direct, bright sunlight actively burns your skin.

13 - Living Thunder. Echoing Voice - Your vocal cords warp, allowing you to speak in double-layered, booming geometric frequencies.

Twist: Your shout can physically shatter glass and stun targets in a short line, 1D6 dmg, save vs wands for half dmg, but you can no longer whisper, making quiet coordination impossible.

14 - The Amber Melt. Resinous Skin - Your skin becomes a thick, translucent amber color, slowing your natural movements.

Twist: You gain immense physical damage reduction and cannot be easily pushed or knocked down, but your base movement speed is permanently reduced. +3 to AC -4 to dmg, movement reduced to half.

15 - Spectral Heatwave. Mirage Displacement - Your physical form constantly shimmers and stutters, leaving ghost-like afterimages.

Twist: Ranged attacks against you have a 20% chance to miss entirely as they hit a mirage, but the constant visual shifting causes you severe vertigo and nausea. -4 to Dex

16 - The Plasma Drizzle. Capacitor Flesh - Your body becomes covered in microscopic, sparkling golden pores that absorb energy.

Twist: Whenever you are hit by laser or plasma fire, you store the energy and can discharge it as a powerful melee or ranged attack per damage and weapon type, but you cannot wear standard armor.

17 - The Ash Winds. Desiccated Pulmonary - Your throat and respiratory system harden into ash-white, bone-dry tubes.

Twist: You no longer need to breathe oxygen and are completely immune to suffocation, gas, and smoke, but you must consume double the normal amount of water to survive.

18 - The Prism Veil. Refractive Gaze - Your eyes crystallize into multifaceted prisms that split incoming light into rainbow beams.

Twist: You can fire a concentrated laser beam from your eyes once per encounter, 1D6 dmg per eye, but looking at bright, flashing lights risks short-circuiting your vision.

19 - The Vitriol Downpour. Chitinous Exoskeleton - Bubbly, yellow-tinted chitinous plating erupts across your torso, hissing softly.

Twist: You are completely immune to acid damage and environmental corrosion, but the stiff plates restrict your flexibility, reducing your agility score. -4 to Dex

20 - The Singularity Front. Spatial Anchor - Your body becomes an anchor in space-time; the air subtly warps and bends around you.

Twist: You are completely immune to teleportation, gravity manipulation, and spatial anomalies, but you cannot utilize high-tech teleporters or vehicles.

GM Design Tip: If a player rolls a mutation they already have, the anomaly has completely saturated their biology. Instead of a new trait, the existing mutation’s benefit doubles for the rest of the session—but the narrative drawback becomes twice as severe and volatile.

Till next time. Keep out of the weather, keep those dice rolling and the imagination going!

"Trust me, baby, you're gonna wish you had three hands" - Mary, the three-breasted hooker, Total Recall

Baby, you make me wish I had three hands. Well, I think you’re doing just fine with two. - Benny and Mary, Total Recall

First off, this is a “Hard R” themed TTRPG post. So if you are sensitive, it would be in your best interest to stop reading now. Having said that, for those still here, let us begin.

So this is the second entry in the “non-basic” series of player character types. So I have been asked recently to make posts on some of my or my players’ NPCs and/or PCs’ non-traditional character classes. These character classes are not your basic TTRPG table fare (Fighter, Cleric, Mage, Thief, and their subtypes). Rather, they offer new game builds and avenues for gameplay. This is my 2nd entry in this possible new series in this blog. Dealing with less traditional character options. Here, I present the Harlot, a class that has appeared in my homebrew weird science fiction/fantasy campaign and has appeared in a couple of my games via players or as NPCs. Some of this content is from others’ content on this type of TTRPG character, some of this is my own stuff.

One is a take on the iconic three-breasted hooker from Total Recall from 1990 and from 2012 fame. Who started as an NPC in one of my group’s campaigns. Later, with the addition of a new female player, she became a full-on PC. For those who have been keeping up, you can find info on her in my setting throughout this page’s blog/podcast’s entire history. While this class is certainly not the bread and butter of most common character classes at most game tables and TTRPGS. My own homebrew weird science fiction fantasy leans hard into a storytelling type of the rated R (using a movie rating scale here, and that scale slides from PG all the way to hard R and anything in between). With the world and setting covering many genres from again the weird, science fiction, fantasy, and horror. (Yes, there are common TTRPG elements, tropes, and themes as well.) With a healthy dose of the adult Metal Hurlant and Heavy Metal magazines. So, it’s a mostly adult TTRPG with mature themes peppered throughout. This offers a setting where gritty character types and others like these can exist.

Harlot Class:

We see them in our game worlds, the scantily clad women leaning over talking to men in vehicles, and running away from the sounds of the guards’ or policemen’s footsteps. Harlots are as common in most towns and planets as merchants and tax collectors. Some harlots specialize in certain disciplines, becoming true masters of their art, and others are just doing it for a little while to pay their way through school. Either way, the tactics and abilities that a harlot picks up during her “on-the-job training” can be applied to countless combat and diplomatic situations. Some adventuring parties find having a harlot in their party a serious drawback, and others find it a huge advantage.

Rolling up a Harlot

Abilities: Charisma is the most important attribute of any harlot. Comeliness is a must with at least a 10 in that attribute score. (Taking into consideration the mores and beauty standards of her native race/species). Dexterity is also very beneficial in their line of work. Constitution can help harlots with illness, and anyone making a living on the streets is recommended to have some Strength. Intelligence and Wisdom tend to be the lower stats of most prostitutes.

Race: Any race. The more exotic a harlot’s race, the more expensive she could be.

Alignment: Always any Chaotic or any Neutral only. Few cities have legalized prostitution. Even in cities where prostitution is legal, harlots tend to work outside the system and under a complex bureaucracy of pimps/handlers/etc.

Gender: Any

At the first level, a harlot must dress and equip accordingly.

Starting Gold: 5d4x10 (125 gp)

Hit Die: 1d4 (If the harlot takes certain skills from other classes at character creation, or a template, she can add +1 up to a +3 to HP when she levels up)

Comeliness: minimum of 10

HP: 1-4 at first level

AC: 10 (can use light armor)

Class Skills:

Bluff (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Persuasion (Cha) Handle Animal (Cha), Knowledge (Opposite gender) (Int), Knowledge (Local) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Prostitute) (Wis), Ride (Dex), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Spot (Wis) Survival (Wis), Tumble (Dex), Use Rope (Dex).

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Hooker.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Concubines are proficient with simple weapons, the sap, dagger, small arms, and one medium firearm or melee weapon, and their acrylic nails, but not with any type of shield. She may only use light or extremely light armor. She may use magic armor and/or personal energy shields. They receive 2 weapons at character creation.

Harlot Class Attacks:

Harlots gain the Scratch attack and one other from the list below at first level.

Harlots gain the natural attack Scratch, which uses five acrylic nails on each hand. A harlot’s scratch does 1d2 piercing, or slashing, non-lethal damage. Acrylic nails crit on a 20, which does x2 damage. However, the additional damage of a critical hit has a 55% chance to break all five acrylic nails on the hand used. If the nails break, Scratch can not be used on that hand until repaired.

Hands Off: Dmg: 1D2 non-lethal damage. 35% chance +3% per level to knock the target prone.

Silk Steel: Small custom weapon, Dmg 1D4

Kiss of Death: Poison lips [Touch Attack] Dmg (by poison)

Heart of Gold: Extra turn given to another hero once every third turn

Flashin’ the Goods: One use per battle. Grants entire party + 2 to hp healing rolls and totals, +1D4 to crit, +3 to move distance, +2 to AC. Only one bonus per use.

Hold Me Close: Another party member (or enemy) guards the harlot. Save: Harlot’s Cha vs targets Wis, modifiers apply.

On the Prowl: Move forward twice your max distance.

Chaotic Cans: Two times per day, a Concubine may attempt to unleash/flash her chaotic “cans” (yes, that means her tits), against a creature with one normal melee attack. She adds her Charisma bonus to her attack roll and 1d2, 1d3, 1d4, 2d4 ( A to D cup), damage. Plus a stun effect. At every fourth level, the Harlot gains an additional use of her Chaotic Cans ability.

Distracting Cleavage/Legs/Rear: (Charm)A first level harlots gain Distracting Cleavage/Legs/Rear as a bonus ability, even if she does not meet the prerequisite. If a harlot already has this ability, she may choose another ability for which she qualifies.

Spells:

A harlot can use the following spells as spell-like abilities, which are drawn from the Charm Subschool spell list. To use a spell-like ability, a hooker must have a Charisma score equal to at least 8+ the spell level. The target number (TN) for a saving throw against a harlot’s “spell” is 8+ the hooker’s Charisma modifier. The TN is increased by 2 for humanoids of the opposite gender. She gets access to the following spells, usable a number of times per day equal to her charisma modifier x 2. She gets access to the spell at the given level.

1st—Charm Person

5th—Enthrall

9th—Charm Monster

13th—Symbol of Persuasion

16th—Mass Charm Monster

Below is The 12 Harlots of the Dungeons & Dragons Random Harlot Table Explained

BY ROB BRICKEN ON JUNE 20, 2008 reproduced here as this document could help in various alternate builds and ideas for this class.

Yes, whores. In the very first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Gary Gygax and company knew full well that any halfway decent fantasy world would be full of whores in tight corsets and willing to fuck any PC without an N. Why, you couldn’t swing a bugbear without hitting a whore in D&D’s glory age, but Gygax soon realized that after the bugbear hit the whore, what kind of whore would she be? Obviously, more information was necessary.

So Gygax made the above, totally batshit-insane and absolutely true Random Harlot Table, so that Dungeon Masters could know what kind of whore their adventurers had encountered (shockingly, this table was dropped from all future additions of D&D, alas). Because of our deep, abiding love for both D&D and whores, TR takes a closer look at the 12 different harlots one might randomly encounter.

1) Slovenly Trull

A trull is just another synonym for prostitute, so we have to focus on the ‘slovenly’ here. Frankly, there are a lot of adjectives they could have picked to describe this breed of whore (dirty, messy, filthy, even), but slovenly indicates this whore has an utter contempt for her own appearance and well-being, and is likely covered in filth. There is absolutely no way the Slovenly Trull does not have some kind of venereal disease. Should your character drink too much mead and decide to pay up the two coppers and insert his wang into the Slovenly Trull, only a critical success on a Saving Throw will prevent his penis turning black and falling off in 1d4 days.

2) Brazen Strumpet

Strumpet is usually more associated with sluts than professional prostitutes, so I say the Strumpet (who shocks others with her brazen desire for sex) is probably the D&D representative of the town fuck. She’s probably 50/50 percent chance she is a hottie, and likely acts a bit rough and slutty around the edges, having been hollowed out by fighters, thieves, and mages of a variety of levels and sexual proclivities. The Brazen Strumpet loves the sex (or the fake feeling of affection it generates before her companions go off to storm the nearby castle ruins) and will make sure to mention this in every conversation. It’s also likely that she’s willing to have sex with a 10th-level fighter and all the followers he gains; at the same time.

3) Cheap Trollop

A trollop is just a prostitute, so if you’ve rolled a Cheap Trollop on the whore table, congratulations! You’ve just randomly encountered a cheap lay. Of course, Cheap really only refers to her price (which should still be above the Slovenly Trull’s bargain-basement sale); the reason why the Trollop is cheap is up to the Dungeon Master. Is the Trollop homely and unable to charge more? Are there so many hookers in the area that market prices have forced her to discount her price? Does she just have a poor grasp of finance, and doesn’t know what her fucking is worth? Your imagination is your only limit!

4) Typical Streetwalker

As the name indicates, this is your standard, average prostitute. She will be sexy but not necessarily attractive (50/50 chance), and sex is purely a business transaction for her. She will charge you her standard price (likely to be in the high silver or low gold range, depending on the economy of the game world) even if she wants to have sex with your dashing 6’ 6” fighter-mage personally, just to maintain her professionalism. Roll 1D12 after fucking the Typical Streetwalker: if you rolled a 1-2, you have Chlamydia; 3-4, you have gonorrhea; 5-12, you’re safe.

5) Saucy Tart

Although still a sex-worker, the Saucy Tart is different from the Typical Streetwalker by having a personality. She’s smart, funny, and will inevitably cause awkward feelings among your players who will fall kind of in love with the character, and would totally treat her right if she were real, and believe she’d probably love them too. Your standard hooker-with-a-heart-of-gold is likely to be a Saucy Tart, assuming she joined the prostitution trade willingly; if she didn’t, then she probably just cries a lot when she’s alone.

6) Wanton Wench

Wench also implies sluttiness more than professional fucking, and the wanton confirms it? The Wanton Wench is actually Ye Old Nymphomaniac. She has no sexual boundaries, and her desire to be drilled overcomes her common sense and all social taboos, and she will fuck any class, any race, and any level. She has been fucked in a 10 by 10 room by an orc guarding a chest (over the chest, actually) and, although she’s not proud of it, she’d do it again if she had the chance to.

7) Expensive Doxy

Doxy is just a fancy (and fancy sounding) word for prostitute, which works out very well because an Expensive Doxy is pretty much an Expensive Prostitute. Although there could be the same kind of economic shenanigans that inversely affect the Cheap Trollop, chances are the Expensive Doxy just works for a high-class, wellknown and reasonably disease-free call girl service, much like Heidi Fleiss ran and Eliot Spitzer enjoyed. This, along with the fact that the Doxies are almost certainly gorgeous, means they can be Expensive, and their highclass clientele (basically, anyone above 9th or 10th level) are happy to pay the price.

8) Haughty Courtesan

A Courtesan is a well-respected whore, which can mean a few things. 1) The Courtesan can be a royal position enjoyed by the King, or someone of similar statue. 2) Depending on the society, Courtesans can even be a legitimate and honored position in society (think Inara from Firefly, Whedon-ites). Unfortunately, as Gary Gygax has decreed, no matter the situation, all Courtesans in all Dungeons & Dragons worlds are haughty bitches. Unless your character is the King, the Courtesan will only tell her guards to beat the shit out of you while she sneers or gives one of those obnoxious laughs that some anime girls do when they’re being evil. If you’d like to use a non-Haughty Courtesan, you have to play a different game or be a top-tier V.I.P. son of a bitch. It’s in the rules for a reason, okay?

9) Aged Madam

The Aged Madam is not likely to do any fucking herself, which is good, because she’s Aged and that would be really weird, even for a fantasy role-playing game. Instead, the Aged Madam runs some of the other whores listed in this table, and could very well be the one brokering the transaction between the PCs and the fuckery. By the traditions of Western storytelling, Madams will most likely run a whorehouse instead of having their employees on the streets, and the overhead for the commercial location will likely mean the Aged Madam is selling services from Expensive Doxies or at least Typical Streetwalkers.

10) Wealthy Procuress

A Procuress is the exact same thing as a female pimp or a Madam, so there are basically two types of Madams you can encounter; rich or old. I don’t know if the Madams start as Wealthy Procuress, get old, lose their gold pieces and become Aged Madams, or if you have to be an Aged Madam for awhile before you make enough money to become a Wealthy Procuress (and are still old, but no one mentions it because you’d be rich and can hire the Assassins Guild to kill whomever you please). Alas, poor Gygax passed away before he answered which comes first. I do have hopes that the eventual D&D Advanced Whore Sourcebook will explain such mysteries.

11) Sly Pimp

While the word Pimp always implies a male, there’s no real reason that your Sly Pimp can’t be a woman; it is a magical world beyond imagination, after all! However, since there are already two female prostitute-pushers on the table, the Sly Pimp might as well be male. Unlike the Aged Madam, he will almost certainly have his girls work on the streets and in the taverns, having no centralized area of commerce. Also all Pimps must be Sly; all this really means is that they must be clever, so your Pimps can be cruel (slapping their hos on slow nights, or for ‘sass’) or kind and generous (“Here, buddy, take two gold pieces, go fuck Beckee and don’t tell her I told you to. She’s just been feeling unattractive lately, so I think this’ll cheer her up.”).

12) Rich Panderer

The male equivalent of the Wealthy Procuress, his wealth most likely lets him also own a whorehouse, where he could be selling anything. Most men don’t get into the pimping business because of their strong feelings on women’s rights, so it’s entirely possible he’s selling a dilapidated house full of Slovenly Trulls, although he could be running the Haughty Courtesans’ Guild as well. When the Sly Pimp gets enough experience points to become a Rich Panderer, his large-brimmed hat automatically gets him +2 to his armor class, and his cane gets +1 damage to women in general and +2 damage against hos in specific.

Till next time.

Till next time. Rock out!

Anyway after enjoying nearly two weeks at EDC and the White Party in Vegas, we decided to go over some of my old stuff and make it.

-Tarkahnta Modelii “Oenomaus Tusk Tuska” Akata to the young monk Zu Year of the broken goblets.

“Money can’t buy happiness, but it can sure as hell buy a class 6 nuclear device that can take down even a class 6 battlebot, and watching your enemies burn in atomic hellfire can bring one a certain measure of happiness.”

- Blurp “The Bastard” Sal’Vort the Saurian merchant prince from Venus to the Vesurian merchant princess Celeste “The Bitch” Dorlip - During the siege of Deep Riff starport.

Looking around, you see the Conjurer, Isaiab, seated at a table, but on a smaller one set slightly apart from the grand one. No dancing girl offering her fleshy pleasures, or food piled high before him. A single black stone goblet, its contents smoking an arid green smoke and fumes from it are his only companion.

Of Otsgar, he is literally standing on a clear area of the table, pouring wine from a silver decanter to waiting cups held high. Spilling as much as that made into them, his deep laughter rebounding off the wall. “So there we were. Stranded in the desert! No food or water to any of us! Death waited,.. It’s thrice cursed bony hand ready to snatch us all to its hungry maw!” “What happened next!?” someone nearby shouts from across the tables.

“Did you slay any of your own to take what water they had, you scoundrel, and dog hair ridden Northerner!” “Fah!” answers Otsgar with a pearly smile on his lips. He takes a big gulp of his heady wine and thrusts his arm forward to Isaiab. “Our own Isaiab the mad, conjured a very angel from heaven that led us to an unknown oasis. Saving all our flea-bitten hides!” With this, he laughs even louder, and, staggering a bit, gulps down the remaining contents of his gigantic tankard. The rest of this table sees this as another opportunity to cheer again and toast Isaiab, and to drink even more. - From the Tome “My Time in Stygia” by the monk Zu

So I have been asked to make posts on some of my or my player’s NPCs and/or PCs non-traditional character classes. These character classes are not your basic TTRPG table fare (Fighter, Cleric, Mage, Thief, and their subtypes). Rather, they offer new game builds and avenues for gameplay. This is my 1st entry in this possible new series in this blog. Dealing with less traditional character options. Here, I present the Merchant and Warrior Merchant Prince classes, both of which are classes in my homebrew weird science fiction/fantasy campaign. The Veiled Echoes of Future Past in NeverWhere. As always, at your table, keep what you want and what works, and throw out what doesn’t and what you don’t like.

(Some of the info presented below are from various publications/sites/forums/ect. At the end of this post will be my own take on this/these classe(s) They are reposted here to offer context and to help players and GMs/DMs get the most from your table.)

One that I occasionally run as an NPC is Tarkahnta Modelii "Oenomaus Tusk Tuska" Akata. A former gladiator who won his freedom through his exploits in the arena in his younger days and is now a merchant prince and semi-noble in one of the Atlantian city-states.

The other is a certain older hulking barbarian warrior from the Northlands, and noble of the Stygian city state of Abbabara, turned merchant and sometimes ally, sometimes a rival enemy. Of the party named Otsgar.

Enter The Merchant Class:

While much has been written on more classic and more widely used character classes, the classes of this post are less common and have quite a bit less on their stats, abilities, and features than more common character classes. I have read some articles and posts on these from a variety of sources; taken what fits, dropped what doesn’t or seems mismatched, and added my own takes on what fits in the weird science fiction/fantasy theme and vibe of my homebrew campaign.

The Merchant / Merchant Prince Class:

Merchants are persons who make their livelihood from trade and commerce. They place a high value on communicating with opponents, using their wiles and charisma to win potential enemies over into a neutral or friendly status. Skill in combat is de-emphasized and is not nearly as high in quality as for fighting classes, though merchants can still defend themselves ably (and often need to). Their verbal powers have some spell-like qualities and are frequently used to talk other beings out of their valuables in exchange for what the merchant has to offer. What the merchant wants to trade may, of course, be of considerably less value than what he or she wants in exchange.

Almost any type of being may become merchants provided their racial Wis, Int, and Cha are high enough for the class requirements. Some races cannot achieve a level higher than 6th (Bargainer) due to the lower charisma they may have relative to other races, and none but a human can achieve a level higher than 9th (Merchant) due to the lack of a strong profit motive and various prejudices against dealing with certain other races (limiting their flexibility). These races’ outlook on life, biology, culture, mores, and their longer lives do, in fact, hinder some races in these mercantile pursuits. All but a rare few never achieve as far as humans do. Humans have unlimited advancement as merchants. Half-orcs, half-ogres, and the like have low intelligence and charisma, and are less interested in talking and trading than in fighting and taking; they ( and similar races) may never or only in rare circumstances be merchants.

Merchants may be of any neutral alignment only, such as neutral good/evil, lawful/chaotic neutral, or true neutral. An intelligence of 10 or more and a charisma of 12 or higher are required, and merchants with scores of 14 or greater in these two categories may gain an added 15% to earned experience points.

A variety of special abilities and powers is available to merchant class characters:

1. Merchants gain a +5% bonus on reaction from any intelligent creatures confronting them whenever the merchants attempt to parley. This is because of the general appearance and style of talking of the merchant, and the lack of visible weapons. The merchant must not have a weapon drawn, but may keep one hand near an available weapon if needed quickly. This reaction bonus is in addition to any other bonuses for charisma, alignment, racial preference, etc.

2. When purchasing standard non-magical items on the open market (and in certain cases, at the referee’s option, magical items), a merchant may bargain with the selling agent and buy the items at a discount of 10% to 40%, plus 3% per level of the merchant above 1st level (Street-monger). The referee may adjust this percentage up or down as the situation requires (cordwood might be bought at large discounts, but not so diamonds). This power does not work against other player characters. Unless the bargaining merchant wins a Charisma check VS the target’s Wisdom (modifiers apply to this roll).

3. Merchants acquire a large repertoire of languages in their travels and dealings with other races and creatures. If the merchant’s intelligence is high enough to allow knowledge of additional languages beyond those tongues known because of the merchant’s race, then he or she is allowed to start the game with the extra languages already known. For example, a merchant with an intelligence of 18 may choose two additional languages before starting the game as a merchant character, in addition to the usual race and class tongues. As a merchant progresses in levels, more languages may be learned, as shown on the Merchant Abilities Table. The character is allowed to pick which languages are to be received, but only if the languages could conceivably be learned in the areas the merchant travels through. The DM/GM should use discretion in this matter and may declare some languages as unknowable in the current campaign. Example: Alignment tongues, Druid’s Cant, and Thieves’ Cant may not be learned in any case by a merchant character other than for good and logical reasons.

4. Merchants gain familiarity with opening locks in the course of their business, and from the third level on, they may pick locks as a thief two levels below them. Racial and dexterity bonuses are applicable.

5. Merchants are able to appraise items as to their possible sale value, and as they increase in experience, merchants gain more exact knowledge of an item’s worth. A merchant may evaluate gems, jewels, furniture, tapestries, and various other items found in the treasure hoards of a monster for resale later (possibly even the otherwise worthless personal possessions of the monster, which might be sold as souvenirs). Unless the exact nature of a magical item is known, a merchant will only be able to give the value the item would have if it were the least valuable item of its type. For example, a merchant is trying to evaluate a magical sword. If he isn’t aware that it is a +3 sword, he will estimate its value as a +7 sword with no special powers; a magic wand would be evaluated as if it were the least valuable sort, and so on. The merchant does, of course, have the option to sell the item at a much higher price than what he estimates its value to be. Appraisal powers may also be used to find out if the merchant is being cheated himself on a deal, by checking the value of the goods he is receiving. Cursed magic items are never recognised as such.

6. The smooth talk of the merchant may sometimes carry magical power. The Merchant Abilities Table shows the percentage chance a merchant has of casting a suggestion spell when speaking with an opponent. Only one person or creature will be affected by this spell; merchants are able to locate a leaderfigure in any group confronting them with 90% accuracy (+1% per point of intelligence over 10), and will nearly always direct the suggestion to the person in charge, For every two points of intelligence the merchant has above the intelligence of the being receiving the suggestion, the opponent receives a -1 to its saving throw against the spell. If the opponent is more intelligent than the merchant, it receives a +1 on its saving throw for every two points of intelligence over the merchant’s intelligence that the opponent has. No material components are required for this spell; for additional notes on range, duration (substituting merchant level for magic-user level), and effects, see the spell description in the core rules for the system you are using. One suggestion may be made per day per level of the merchant. Note that if a creature saves against a suggestion, only one more attempt may be made to suggest something to that same creature on that particular day, and the creature will gain a +2 bonus against the second suggestion when making its saving throw. If the merchant does not know a language that the opponent also knows, and verbal communication is not possible, then a suggestion will not work.

7. lf one or more opponents are attacking the merchant’s party, the merchant may utter a command that will be heard by all creatures in a 60’ radius for them to cease fighting. All creatures who can hear this command (Merchant Cha VS enemies’ highest Int), whether they are associated with the merchant’s party or not, will stop fighting for 1—3 rounds. The merchant may use this time to make a suggestion to the opponents or attempt to parley. If anyone makes a hostile gesture during this time, the effect will not be broken, but an outright attack (possibly made by persons not in hearing range of the merchant’s command) will instantly end the truce. There is no save against this spell, after a merchant reaches 6th level, unless a creature has some form of magic resistance, such as demons, devils, and the like have. One command of this sort may be made per day, per level of the merchant casting the spell. No other action may be commanded except ceasing combat. As with suggestions, the command must be given in a language that all within hearing will understand, or else those who don’t understand the order won’t obey it, negating the truce instantly.

8. A merchant may increase his or her charisma to other beings by making certain gestures, saying certain phrases, or dressing in a particular way. This method or heightening charisma is similar to the magic-user spell friends, except that a full turn of preparation is required (10 minutes) and the opponents to whom it is directed to must be known to the merchant. At least, the merchant should know the race and alignment of the opponents. The merchant’s charisma to the opponents will increase 2—5 points, with all appropriate reaction bonuses; the range of this spell includes everyone in the opponent’s party within 60’. Saving throws are allowed, but if the throw is made and the spell is saved against, the creatures will not necessarily see the merchant in a negative light; they will simply see the merchant with an unadjusted charisma. Heightened charisma may be used once per day per level of the merchant, and is very useful when attempting to parley with opponents. If the language of the opponents is not understood by the merchant, charisma will be heightened only 1—3 points. Because of the preparation required, this spell cannot be used on the spur of the moment, say when the merchant comes around a corner and bumps into a pair of Evil High Priests. Remember that people seeing a merchant with heightened charisma are not obligated to do anything the merchant asks them to, but will take no actions to attack the merchant and will be more disposed to listen to his ideas. If a suggestion is made to a person who failed to save against heightened charisma, he takes a -4 on his saving throw against it.

WEAPONS:

The philosophy that merchants have about using weapons is simple: avoid using them as much as possible, but keep them close at hand. Merchants only use missile weapons as a last resort, preferring to close with an opponent to use their verbal skills. Heavy missile weapons are also seen as too “military” and provocative to a potential enemy. They do, however, use hand-to-hand weapons and lighter missile, ballistic, and energy weapons that may be managed quickly and with one hand. Only longswords, broadswords, shortswords, scimitars, daggers, clubs, and hand axes may be used in combat; the daggers, clubs, and hand axes may be hurled if desired.

Merchants start with the knowledge of how to use two weapons with expertise, and gain one new weapon with every four levels of experience gained (at 5th, 9th, 13th, etc.). Merchants roll to hit on the thieves’ attack tables.

Oil may be freely used as a weapon by merchants. The use of poison is up to the DM/GM.

ARMOUR

Merchants wear only the less encumbering armours, so they are able to move quickly if the situation requires it. They use leather, ringmail, scale, or chainmail, but will never use banded, splint, or plate mail. No shields will be used by merchants, other than energy shields or certain shield spells, as they would prefer to keep their hands free to gesture, emphasize points, and reach for their weapons. The absence of a shield helps the merchant to appear somewhat less defensive and hostile to opponents and encourages some trust and conversation.

MAGICAL ITEMS, HIRELINGS, & HENCHMEN

Merchants may use any magical weapons or armour within the restrictions noted above. They may use any other magical items that may be used by any other class of character and aren’t restricted to the use of a limited number of classes.

Hirelings and henchmen may be taken on at any time, and may be of any sex, class or race, except for thieves and assassins until 3rd and 4th level, respectively. These latter two classes may be hired on a short-term basis only for a single mission.

FINAL NOTES

It is suggested that merchant characters take an assortment of trade goods with them on expeditions for spur-of-the-moment bargaining; exactly what is to be taken is left up to the player character.

The risky part about being a merchant is having to be in the front of one’s party’s “face” class when dealing with a potentially dangerous enemy, lightly armed, and simply talking it out. A DM/GM may decide to time the encounter and adjust the saving throws for suggestions depending on how reasonable the suggestion is, so players should learn to think quickly and develop a “silver tongue’’ as the saying goes.

Merchant players start the game with 50—180 g.p. As their initial funds ( or by DM/GM fiat).

The Merchant Prince/Princess Class:

There are brave and intrepid adventurers for whom simply glory or a payday does not suffice. Those who challenge life, taking their fate in their hands and casting their lots against the worlds for some grand prize, can expect nothing shy of its greatest rewards if they do not die first.

Merchant-princes/princesses are wealthy scions of their theme who are equally skilled at politics, warfare, and economics, who win their way through bold risks. They may be religious adventurers charged with leading a crusade of their own design, warrior poets tasked with securing a new kingdom on the edge of space, or far-off coasts in new nations or undiscovered lands. Or upstart officers of a hereditary family who mix business with tactics, intrepid space/sea captains with a rite of national/intergalactic marquee, or even pioneering soldiers who seek out new life to establish trade routes with.

Hit Points: 7 at first level + CON modifier

Hit Dice: 1D6+Con per level

Prerequisite Ability: Charisma.

Class Skills: Appraise (Int), Bluff ( Cha), Courtier (Int, Wis), Culture ( Int), Diplomacy ( Cha), Disguise ( Cha), Intimidate ( Cha), Negotiation (Cha), Medicine ( Int), Perception ( Wis), Piloting ( Dex), Profession ( Cha, Int, or Wis), Sense Motive ( Wis), Sleight of Hand ( Dex), Stealth ( Dex), Streetwise (Wis, Int)

Skill Points per Level: 6 + Intelligence modifier

Armor: Light armor and heavy armor

Weapons: Basic and advanced melee weapons, small arms, and longarms.

Organizational Affiliation 1st Level

At 1st level, you must declare yourself affiliated with a specific organization appropriate to your theme.

For a priest, this might be a church or religious movement, an ace pilot might be an officer in a space corp or battle fleet, a psychic may be working for a Psyker corp or a cloister, a bounty hunter may be working for a guild, etc. A character may always choose some hereditary or familial ties, and having a political office (even a nominal one) can help a merchant-prince out.

Once selected, a merchant-prince may change their organizational affiliation, though they must work to secure their position in game.

A merchant-prince may serve themselves or earnestly believe in their organization’s goals; regardless, they are tied to the whims of their organization because it funds them. Should they lose their organization’s support, they need to either repair the breach or find a new patron. If this becomes impossible, a merchant-prince cannot continue as a member of this class unless sufficient wealth, land, clout, and other resources have been accrued for the PC to become their own self-made man. While not affiliated with an organization, they gain no benefits from class features that are tied to that (such as purchasing power). Unless again, they have become affluent enough in their own right to strike up new deals, contracts, and such.

At 1st level, you gain Skill Focus (Profession) as a bonus feat in a profession linked to the income of your organization. At 17th and 19th level, the bonus this feat provides increases by 1 to a maximum of +5 at 19th level.

Base Attack Bonus & Saves:

The merchant prince/princess class saves as a rogue -2 levels below their current level with a +2 to all saves (+ mods) until level 4, when they gain save points as a rogue of the same level. Attack bonuses are the same as a rogue’s -2 their current level + modifiers.

Skills and Boons:

Below are a few skills and boons a player may take for their merchant prince characters at various levels. If the player instead wishes to take skills from the standard merchant list of skills, they may do so, as those skills often have broader utility. In contrast, those listed below are more specialized.

Skills:

Tempt Fortuna 2nd Level

Merchant-princes live or die by the fall of the dice and are famous for their willingness to tempt fortune. With a bold flourish that no one but the criminally insane or the insanely ambitious would dare, they launch themselves into a task. On any d20 roll, they may “tempt fate”. When tempting fate, a roll of a natural 1 is not just a miss; it is an unmitigated disaster for you! You not only automatically fail the check you are attempting, but also incur some other penalty instead that better represents how you critically screwed up. On a roll of 2-7, it is a minor setback, an 8-12 a normal success without bonuses, a 13-15 a good success, a 17-19 a superb success, and a Nat 20 it is a god-like success. This roll is rolled without the benefit of modifiers except those the GM/DM deems applicable.

Ideas for a Failed Tempt Fortuna Roll

Oops: You drop one item that you are holding, and it gains the broken condition.

Easy Strike: You provoke an attack of opportunity from all adjacent enemies or one enemy with a ranged weapon within 60 feet.

Screwed The Pooch: You give all your allies within 20 feet of you a -2 on their next d20 roll made within the next minute.

Kiss Dirt… Hard: You are knocked prone and are confused on your next turn.

Embarrassment: You do something instantly embarrassing. While singing you suddenly and spontaneously throw up when you go for a high note, your pants fall down before the Insect Queen of Bandalor IV, you call your wife by your secret lover’s name in bed, or you accidentally stitch your hand to your patient’s stomach while giving them a suture (etc).

Weapon Specialization 3rd Level:

You gain Weapon Specialization as a bonus feat for one weapon type of the rogue class. (Or by the game system you use at your table).

Purchasing Power 3rd Level:

Once per day you can make a d20 roll to outright buy an expensive item on the credit of an organization you are affiliated with (or personal credit). Tempt fortuna cannot be used on this roll.

At 3rd level you roll 1d20 + your class level vs. a TN of 10 + cost of item/100 (round down). If you meet or exceed the TN, you can purchase it on credit.

Depending on your theme and the organization you are affiliated with you may need to meet certain terms or agreements to get this line of credit. A mercenary, for example, might only be able to buy things for their mission, a priest may only be able to get it from a merchant who is a member of their faith, a spacefarer may need to prove they are using it for a colonization office that they work for, etc.

At 6th level, the TN for this check equals 10 + cost of item/1,000.

At 9th level, the TN for this check equals 10 + cost of item/10,000.

Banger 4th Level

Once a week, you can cause an attack that has successfully hit to trigger any critical effects related to the attack. Unlike a normal critical hit, it deals normal damage instead of dealing x2 damage (simply adding the critical effect, if the weapon has one). This does not trigger other things that occur on a critical hit (such as feats, class features, spells, weapon fusions, etc).

Reverse Fortuna 5th Level

Stone cold doesn’t even begin to describe you anymore; you can look disaster in the eye and glare back. At 5th level, if you roll a Nat 20 on a D20, you can negate a botched Tempt Fortuna roll/effect.

Self-Made 7th Level

Once per day, you can take a move action to grant yourself a pool of 3 temporary bonus points. These points need to be used in the next 5 turns or they are lost and can only be used on merchant-prince class features. At 14th level, you gain 6 temporary bonus points rather than 3 when you use this, and they last for 5 minutes.

Grab Life by the Horns 8th Level

When you use your Tempt Fortuna class feature on an attack and get a bonus to the roll, the bonus also applies to damage rolls. This has no impact if you roll a penalty.

Daring Action 10th Level

Starting at 10th level, when you tempt fortuna, you can choose to make the attempt a “daring action”. This doubles the potential penalty on the roll (-4) but also doubles any bonus you get (+4) if you roll high. You cannot use the banger class feature when using daring action.

Legacy 11th Level

Starting at the 11th level you get a reputation from the actions you’ve taken in your travels. This is your legacy and a smart merchant-prince capitalizes on it. It’s all about image control and public perception; you gain certain benefits from the legacy you decide to project.

Master of Your Own Fortune 12th Level

When you critically hit on an attack, you are tempting fortuna on, your deal x3 damage rather than x2. This does not apply to attacks that are affected by your Banger skill on.

Captain of Your Destiny 20th Level

Any time you roll a natural 1, it is instead treated like you had rolled a natural 20. You can only use this skill once a week in-game time.

Boons:

Below are some boons that the Merchant Prince subclass can take beginning at level 11. You can take one boon for PCs of charisma 10-12, you can take 13-15 gets two boons, or three boons at 16-18. This begins at level 9, again at 11, and finally at level 14.

Hero of the People

You have earned the love of a nation (or planet, religious movement, nation, etc). Maybe your fame comes from the military, a popular politician, or you’ve run an exceptionally good PR campaign for yourself, but the result is that your name is on the lips of everyone in society.

He’s the Man

All the common people from the group that worships/prizes you have their attitude automatically start as friendly by default (95% of the population).

Listen Up

You gain +3 bonus to Charisma or Wisdom-based checks in social situations against creatures from the group that worships you.

Merchant King’s Speech

You add your level to Charisma or Wisdom-based checks in social situations against creatures from the group that worships you.

Hero Worship

All the common people from the group that worships you, who have never met you have their attitude automatically start as helpful by default (key NPCs may differ).

Heroic Journey

You are at the nexus of some kind of bizarre story that you couldn’t make up if you tried. Your great destiny was written in the stars long before you were born, and many prophecies told of your coming.

Strong Diplomat

You gain +3 bonus to Diplomacy checks against creatures who know of your deeds.

Destiney Calling

You may be destined for great things. A +1, a +2, and a +3 can be added to any type of roll once every two days. If a bonus is rolled and the other two bonuses are not used within one hour, the boon cooldown happens for the used AND any unused bonuses.

Uncanny Reputation

You’ve never lost a battle, never surrendered, never given up, and always saved the day. You have a reputation for excellence, if not perfection, and decisive action so people think twice before taking sides against you.

Decisive Action Taker

You add your Char modifier to your Initiative rolls, in addition to your Dex modifier. This can be used once a day for up to three actions.

Like Steel Nails

You gain a +1 bonus on all saves. In addition, you gain a +1 HP for every 4 class levels you have. This can be used four times a week.

Life Surge

Once per day, you can spend 30 XP (max 90 XP) points to regain 5 hit points up to your normal maximum as a full-round action.

Luck of the Roll

When you roll a natural 19 on a d20 with a weapon you are proficient with it counts as a critical hit, so long as the attack successfully hits.

What is your Rep? Choosing a Theme:

Below are some sample themes you, as a player, can choose for your merchant prince character. This is by no means an exhaustive list, and a player is encouraged to come up with their own themed templates. Once a template has been chosen, it can not be changed unless in certain circumstances, like an alignment change or another significant event.

A merchant-prince makes a living out of whipping their reputation up until their names are on everyone’s lips and they’ve sold the holovid rights to some big movie studio. A player may select one reputation below at 9th level, although it is not necessary to do so. A second reputation can be taken at 14th level at the cost of having all gained XP reduced by 35% for the duration of the PC’s career. Meaning a slower rate of level advancement.

Make It Rain

You are a titan of industry in the making. It’s all about the money with you, and your adventures fill your coffers. One day you will make a grand company or guild and dominate an industry, no matter what the cost to your soul. Your ambition knows no bounds and few can stand in your presence without recognizing your ruthless potential.
+5 to all rolls regarding wealth acquisition.

Tycoon

Your reputation inflates the quality (and thus price) of your work. You can make a check once per day to do some work and earn 10 times your skill check result. This can be used once a week. Roll a D12 on a roll of 11 or 12, you can double the skill bonus again. Keep rolling if 11 or 12 keep coming up.

Bargainer

The price to buy goods on the open market is reduced by 10% up to 40% (roll a 1D4) before any haggling even begins. Opposed rolls can be made to increase the percentage after 40%. Chr VS Wis rolls determine this. With each successful roll adding 5% in the player’s favor.

Uncanny Investor

You are either really good at investment, really good at scamming people, or really good at both. You can invest your money for 1 month, and get back +5d10% more than you put in. There is a 10%-25% chance (roll 1d100) that you will be caught doing something illegal and have to pay 1d10 x 50,000 credits in fines

Scrouge

You are a terror of the sea or star ways, a freebooting freelancer with a Letter of Marquis from their organization. You skirt the law in favor of profit and adventure. Not all are wicked- some fight as privateers for the honor of their homeworld, nation, or as liberators. You gain a +4 to all actions while exemplifying this character theme.

Black Marketeer

Offerings of the illegal type are your bread and butter. From illegal products to weapons, you have your fingers in it all. You gain the wanted disadvantage unless you “pay it off” by “burning” no less than 2000 XP for minor offences to as much as 500,000 for major crimes. Out of fear, when you buy goods on the black market, creatures who k offer you a 10%-30% discount on all goods.

Vile Slaver

You add +5 to Intimidate checks against creatures who know of your deeds. You deal in flesh. From mass enslavement, targeted enslavement of specific beings, to high-profile targets are your trade. From slaves for labor to pleasure/sex slaves, you do it all. +15% and +3 to a skill rolls and action rolls when engaged in slaving

Worldly

You have explored many far shores, involved yourself with dozens of species and cultures, seenexotic phenomenan, and fought tooth and nail for the sake of adventure and profit. You have a cultured, worldly, legacy that people admire. You gain +3 bonus on checks to identify creatures. You gain the decipher alien language skill at 50%

My own take on this/these classes of this alternative character type.

Class: Warrior Merchant

Setting: Veiled Echoes of Future Past in Neverwhere

The Warrior Merchant is a seasoned cross-sector scavenger and trade-warrior, adept at navigating the eldritch ruins and neon- soaked hyper-markets of Neverwhere. They balance the art of the deal with the lethality of ancient/modern tech, acting as a living bridge between the ancient past and the collapsing future.

Class Requirements & Progression

● Prime Requisites: Strength and Charisma (13+ in both grants a 10% XP bonus).

● Hit Dice: 1d6 per level.

● Armor/Weapons: light/med armor; light/med weapons.

● Save As: Fighter.

● XP to Level 2: 2,000.

● THAC0 (Level 1): 19 [+0].

Ability Score Priorities

Statistic Minimum Recommended Focus

Strength 9 Essential for melee combat and hauling trade.

Charisma 9 Core for reaction rolls and negotiating contracts.

Intelligence 10 High scores improve the Market Sense ability.

Class Abilities & Weird Science Traits

● Market Sense: Identify the value and function of “Old World” tech or alien artifacts with a 2-in-6 chance.

● Negotiation Tactics: Apply a +1 bonus to reaction rolls when parleying with intelligent creatures.

● Combat Logistics: Once per combat, “jury-rig” gear for a +1 bonus to hit or AC for the encounter.

● Encumbrance Mastery: Carry 20% more weight before suffering movement penalties.

Level-Based Traits

Level Title Special Ability

1 Scrapper Hazard Shield: +2 vs. Radiation or Chemical attacks.

3 Fractal Neural Link: Can interface with dormant computer terminals

5 Trade-Lord Void Pocket: Access a localized fold in space to hide one item

Tactical Meta-Abilities & Invocations

Invocations are powered by “Bio-Battery” cells instead of spell slots.

● Aura Manifestation: Body glows for 1d4 rounds; gain +2 Damage and +10’ Movement.

● Chrono-Stutter: Once per day, force an enemy to re-roll a successful hit.

● Zero-Point Strike: Successful hit knocks back target 10ft and requires save vs. Paralysis or stun.

● Logic Bomb: Overloads mechanical foes for 1d8 damage (Save vs. Spells for half).

● Glitch-Step: Become semi-transparent for 3 rounds; attackers take a -2 penalty to hit.

The Primary Arsenal

● Arc-Whip Filament: Weighted hilt extruding plasma. 1d8 damage.

● Gravity-Maul: Hydraulic hammer with a gravity core. 1d10 damage and save vs spells -3 or target is stunned.

● Shard-Caster: Wrist gauntlet firing void glass splinters. 15ft cone, 2d4 damage (Save vs. Breath).

● Vibro-Cutlass: High-frequency vibrating blade. 1d8+1 damage, +2 to hit.

Business Deal Mechanics

Roll 2d6 for negotiations. Modifiers: +1 for Charisma 15+, +1 for rare tech-relics, -2 if Blacklisted.

● 2-5: Hostile Rejection. No deal; 1-in-6 chance of a bounty.

● 9-11: Favorable Terms. 10% discount or bonus.

● 12+: Masterstroke. 25% profit increase and “Favored Trader” status.

The Entourage Merchants Inner Circle

Followers are attracted by the promise of profit and the Merchant’s radiant energy.

● Capacity: Maximum members equal to Charisma score plus any modifiers

● Contract Cut: Members require 5-10% of recovered wealth or coin.

● Archetypes: Major Domos (Logistics), Consorts (Diplomacy), Seekers (Trade), and Blade-Bonded (Bodyguards).

● The Inner Circle: When proven and/or well-known associates lead the retinue, the group gains unified shielding, reducing damage from weird science fantasy hazards by 2 points.

Till next time.

Keep those dice rolling and the imagination going.

Link to Mad Scribe Games: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/8191/mad-scribe-games

Outro Track: Stormrider by Jeremiah Kane

Kroc-Mjore’Tel was the result of Eldritch super science and sorcery, the product of DNA splicing and dark hybridization programs combining Shoggoth, serpentman, and proto-human DNA. He was also, due to his parentage, a master of black sorcery in olden days, before Atlantis, before even Lemuria or floundering Mu, and developed several foul arcane spells of his own. The spells scribed on the tablets are difficult and dangerous to master; these spells can also take an awful toll on the caster’s mind and body. Each time a spell is successfully mastered, the magic-user must roll a D20 vs a Wisdom save. (Plus any Wis modifiers). If the result is a “1-2”, he or she permanently loses a point of Wisdom. If the Wisdom roll is a fail, the magic user must roll a Con save. If a “1-2” is rolled, they receive a physical corruption (GM/DM choice). Each time spells from this tome are cast, the saves must be rolled, and any negative effects become more severe and cumulative. Only a Remove Curse spell or similar spell from a level 15 cleric or higher of a good or neutral god can remove the ill effects of the spells, as the spells of this tome are from a pre-human age and before the age of the current races. It and the spells within it are from a time of the Dragon Kings and Elder Things. Furthermore, the spells are decidedly in the realm of Black Magic, and the DM must rule that mastering all seven of them by a PC results in an alignment step towards Chaos and Evil....

The Crawling Pox of Yuggoth
Level 1
Range 120ft
Duration 1d6 rounds
The caster points and curses his selected human(oid) target with writhing, weeping boils all over his face and body that seem to stretch and crawl upon the victim. The victim is in excruciating pain, suffering a -2 penalty to hit and AC and suffering 1 point of damage each round until the curse expires.

Eyes of Faluur
Level 1
Range 30ft
Duration 1 Turn per level of caster
The eyes of the caster glow with demonic promise, causing any foes within a 30’ line of sight area to make a morale check at -2 each round or flee in terror for the remaining duration of the spell (minimum 1 round).

Cloak of Ebon Shadow
Level 2
Range Cast upon self
Duration 2 Turns per level of caster
The caster is draped in billowing shadows, granting a -2[+2] bonus to AC. Further, anyone attempting a melee attack against the caster takes 1d4 points of damage as the shadows lash out.

Zxgig’s Tentacle
Level 2
Range 120ft
Duration 1d4 rounds per level of caster
The caster selects a target to be wrapped in a coiling, serpentine tentacle entity of the Outer Dark, which saps the target’s strength and intellect. The target's strength and intelligence are reduced to 3 for the duration of the spell, unless a saving throw is made. A STR or INT check versus a TN of 11 (+ the level of the caster is needed to break free).

Benediction of Yhoth Ogogii
Level 3
Range Cast upon self
Duration 3 rounds per level of caster
The caster is transformed into a boneless, vaguely humanoid being with the properties of a greater slime creature and a movement rate of 9 for the duration of the spell.

Nail of the Pit
Level 3
Range Cast upon self
Duration 2 Turns
The caster takes upon himself the aspect of a lesser denizen of the lower infernal realms. He functions as normal, but his hands are transformed into those of a fiend, and he may make 2 claw attacks per round for 1d4+2 damage each, and strikes with them as if he were a fighter of the same level as his current magic user level.

N’ngthrath’s Dark Lust
Level 4
Range 120ft
Duration 1d30 days
Perhaps the most vile of Kroc-Mjore’Tel spells, the target of this spell is infected with a homicidal blood lust that takes shape slowly over a period of 1d30 days. The target becomes obsessed with taking the life of a virgin of any sentient species, and will obsess about it more and more until acting on the impulse in the final few days of the spell. The spell does not make the target stupid, and it will try to be clever and avoid detection if at all possible. The one under this spell will kill in a bloody rage, ripping a chosen target apart before vomiting N’ngthrath’s seed into the mouth or opening of the now dead victim. After which the possessed will die in a most dire and gruesome way, dissolving into black ichor. In one to two days, an abomination of N’ngthrath will be born out of the victim’s corpse. Treat it as a level 3 fighter and a level 4 mage/cleric. This newborn will try to escape the immediate area after birth undetected. It will remain in the general area and begin inflicting attacks. After one month, it will be of adult size as its parent host. It will then begin gathering minions of evil to it to create mayhem and chaos in the region.

There it was, the new body that was before him. Copper gagged back bile and forced it down further, retching a sour knot in his throat. Forcing it down to his gut, he squinted at the body splayed out before him. It was the same as the ones found before. The victim was a man of middling years, Tomas Wancker, or at least he had been. What remained was the same as the others, a shiveled husk of a corpse lying rigid on the well-worn oaken floorboards. The condition of the body suggested that it had dried and been sapped of all moisture, looking like a side of dried beef that vendors often sold in street markets during midday business in the city to cattle herders and adventurers. Copper had heard of such things, but those had been funerary rites practised from far-off desert nations of shadow and serpent-infested foreign lands. Certainly not in an inner steadfast land such as Birittia.

Fighting back vomit, Copper moved closer to the body, cursing his shaking hands and the damnable squeaking of the floorboards. Peering, he was now sure that this had been Tomas Wancker, the town smith. The heavy leather breeches and a heavy work apron hanging on a wooden peg in the dim room are sufficient, say nothing of the most defining features, Wanckers’ missing little finger from his left hand, and the face tattoo on his right side.

The body’s skin was grey with an unnatural pallor and looked as brittle as eggshell. Wancker’s long hair lay spayed out from his head, a grim halo as if it was blown by a great gust of wind or arranged by some impulse. Copper noticed a draft. This came from a window whose wooden shudders had been blown or flung open, and by the dampness of the victims’ clothes, suggested that they had come open during the rain around pre-dawn. The condition of the rest of the room revealed little other than the shudders, one simple iron eye, and key lock having been forced or broken by some means and forceful intent. The lock lay in one corner, still attached to a bit of wood. Copper noticed that the throng of people standing just beyond the door was growing. As word of this was surely taking off and spreading. Cursing under his breath, he growled through clenched teeth, ordering people back, invoking his authority of office and threats of the lash to move people away.

Seizing a young, lingering, and gawking miller boy by his rough wool tunic, Copper ordered the boy to summon Wilks and old Captain Jenkins. The boy, wide-eyed with sudden fear at Copper’s harshness and rough manner, swallowed hard and rushed out as ordered. Copper stood watching in the doorway lest the boy falter and run home or the gathered adults not move and clear the area. The next half hour plodded slowly, till at last Wilks and Jenkins arrived in their soiled and weathered armors. Wilks, the youngest of the trio, was a tall, thin, lanky fellow who always seemed as if his armor was about to fall off his frame. Captain Jenkins was Coppers’ and Wilks’ superior, a man of around sixty, fat and sweating. His stained leather armor having seen better and cleaner days. Both newly arrived men went wide-eyed and pale at the sight of Wancker’s corpse. Crossing themselves with their hands in signs against evil. Jenkins was the first man to speak,” Wilks! Call the town crier. Have word sent to old Tabitha to be on her way here! I think mayhap this be some form of foul devilry on to this crime! Her skills are needed here.”

Before Wilks could speak, Copper interjected, “We don’t know that, Captain. We would be best served by having the town surgeon and his Arab berber examine the body first. Before the old crone Tabitha destroy or befuddle what evidence there be here, sir.” Jenkins shook his head, “Tis the same as the rest, Copper, and our town surgeon has no more answers for us with this one than he has had with the others! We need the old witch’s help. There is some dark force at work in this town. I have seen similar in my time with the King’s Legions during the Astarrakin and Derrko campaigns thirty years ago. The witch will be brought here, and that is the last of it!”

Copper bit his tongue and his retort. He had little love for magic and the way of wizards and magi, but he was oath-bound to his badge of office. Grudgingly, he nodded and remained silent. Wilks, seeing the exchange, swallowed hard and nodded his tangle of straw colored hair bobbing as he marched out, adjusting his ill-fitting helmet on his head. The two remaining men stood opposite each other at the room’s entrance to again guard the room and escape the strange foul smell from within it. Both men remained silent, the only sound the thin mist-like rain dripping outside. Eventually, Wilks returned, climbing the rickety stairs to his compatriots. Cooper craned his neck over Wilks’ accent, looking down the long, narrow stairs. There at the foot of the stairs stood old Tabitha. Despite the lower room’s illumination, the only thing visible of the old crone was her silhouette, which consisted of layer upon layer of worn and tattered garments and cloaks. These covered her from head to toe. Copper mused how even at midday, when rarely Tabitha ventured into the market streets in search of her eclectic needs, naught a thing, not even her face, was ever even clearly seen, not even at the Sun’s peak at midday. Surely some arcane art of the old crones at work there, Copper thought sourly.

Origins of the La Lechuza

In the moonlit borderlands of northern Mexico and South Texas, one eerie tale flaps its wings across generations: the legend of La Lechuza. Locals say it’s a giant owl, but others say this bird is no ordinary animal; it’s a witch in disguise.

The Lechuza legend tells of an old woman wronged by her community who returns as a monstrous owl to seek revenge. With a wingspan wider than a man is tall, glowing eyes, and a cry that sounds like a baby or a woman, she circles homes at night, scratching at the front door or perching outside in a tree. In Mexican legend, La Lechuza is a shapeshifter. She can transform between a human and a bird, often spotted near a house before something terrible happens. (Much like a Banshee in European lore). Her appearance usually signals doom or fear — especially if you ignore the rules. According to lore, if she whistles at you, never respond. That’s her way of luring victims. Stories persist in border towns, especially among students, kids, and older residents who remember warnings passed down by family.

Texas cryptids like La Lechuza still rattle nerves, from Austin to San Antonio. For some, she’s just fun folklore. For others, she’s something more. Some even say she’s the devil’s spirit sent to punish the living. In online site, it is reported that in local video interviews, people speak about hearing flaps at windows or seeing shadows dart across roads. Whether it’s imagination or memory, La Lechuza tales fuel fires of fear and wonder. Folklorists suggest La Lechuza is a way to explain the unexplainable: children disappearing, odd animal behavior, or strange deaths in tight-knit towns. In the small rural town of Robstown, right outside of Corpus Christi, the legend of La Lechuza is tied with that of another cryptid – one indelibly linked to the community’s culture: the Big Bird of Robstown, or “El Pajaro Gigante de Robé.” n 1975, people walking along the county roads at night said they saw a huge, monster bird swooping down at them. Some told the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, which reported on the claims, that the creature was 2 feet tall, while others swore it reached 6 feet. But when it was reported that the creature had the face of a human, then connections began to be made to the Lechuza legend. Soon, sightings were reported in nearby small towns of Banquete and Alice, Texas.

Still another legend retells it as this. A Lechuza is a type of hag from Mexican folklore that takes the qualities of a seemingly normal woman during the day but transforms during the night into an owl-like monster with a wide array of powers, such as mimicking voices, manipulating the weather, and even inducing death via her screeching. A Lechuza is a ravenous predator that is forever seeking out prey, favoring humans. It is believed that not many can survive an encounter with a Lechuza, but some notable ways to survive are to exploit their one major weakness, salt. As the legend further goes, La Lechuza appears in the form of a massive owl, standing seven feet tall with a wingspan of fifteen feet, and the face of an old woman.

While some say La Lechuza is a witch who has sold her soul to the devil, others say that she was once a woman who was wronged by the members of her village. In certain regions, stories say that the woman’s child was killed by a drunk — or that the woman herself was killed — leaving her to stalk the skies at night, waiting to enact her wicked vengeance by preying on drunk men stumbling their way home from the bar. There are several variations on the legend of this witch-owl, however. In some tellings, La Lechuza mimics the cries of children to lure unsuspecting victims out of their homes and devour them. In other versions, hearing the cry of La Lechuza is an omen of death. The creature is said to bring storms and feed on negative human emotions, often appearing outside homes where there is a domestic dispute, where it waits for its victim to emerge. And in some versions, she craves the blood and flesh of newborns, particularly those who are not yet baptized. In another version of the legend from South Texas and Mexico, the legend warns that harming or killing La Lechuza while she is in the form of the owl will turn her back into human form. Other legends believe the Seven Blessed Prayer will convert La Lechuza back into a woman. According to yet another take on the legend, La Lechuza was once a curandera (someone who practices white magic) who, after being exposed as a witch (or bruja), was killed by the angry and frightened townspeople. Legends say that she returned from beyond the grave as a ghost to seek revenge upon those who murdered her in the form of a human-sized bird with a woman’s face. Sometimes, she is the ghost of a woman who was widowed by a man who remarried, or was the devoted wife of an unfaithful husband.

As one can see the legends seem to vary quite a bit. In some, she is a vengeful spirit. In others, she is a woman who has sold her soul to the devil in order to gain supernatural powers. Every night, she is said to transform into a five to six-foot-tall bird (most commonly an owl) with the face of a beautiful or wizened old woman and enormous wings. All these legends at their core have a central theme and are all mere variants on an interesting and not often seen cryptid outside of its regional area or in the TTRPG hobby.

Translating La Lechuza for your game table & how I envision them in my game.

In a dark recess in the ancient gloomed ruins, the adventurers saw her, the source of torments of the regions. The sight of the adventurers fell across the horrid, yet human face. Her black eyes contained hatred and malice. If she could have killed with a simple glare, they would have dropped dead. She spread her wings and hissed and clicked, making noises impossible for a human throat yet horridly familiar.

Le Lechuzas were once members or current members of an all-female coven worshipping eldritch aspect demi-gods. Each coven has at least one female demi-god leading it. The cult was once widespread among many desert nations in my game world. These covens often resulted in a series of infant sacrifices, strange deaths, and foul curses. Forcing many clerical orders and paladins into action. Few records were kept, and no trials were held; anyone suspected of worshiping or being part of this coven were executed on the spot. The goddess demi-gods “blessed” her fallen and most faithful by resurrecting them as Le Lechuza.

In the daylight, Le Lechuzas resemble a large owl-like bird, albeit about two to six feet tall. At night, or in any dark space obscured from the sun, their true form is revealed. They retain much of the same shape and size. However, the owl’s face is replaced with that of a beautiful, yet scornful and cold woman. Instead of teeth, inside of their mouths are a pair of sharp bones, made from the remains of their first victim when they first became a Lechuza, one upper and one lower, much like a beak. They are said to often speak in a bizarre mockery of their first victims’ voices. The eyes are an owl’s eyes, reflective black pools. In addition to wings, a pair of strong, human-like arms cling to their chests.

The Lechuzas seem to exist simply to torment, curse, kill, and harm people, as if they are exacting some measure of revenge against the world for their fate. It is unclear how or why Le Lechuzas pick who to haunt, though one common factor is that each experienced a joyful event just before being targeted. The unfortunate chosen will be plagued by a series of bad luck and frightening paranormal events for months. before violent ends meet them. This can range from expensive bad luck, breakdowns, rotting crops, betrayals, and lasting illnesses, to seeing the ghosts of deceased loved ones, odd noises in the home, and bad dreams. They may also notice themselves being followed or watched by multiple shadowy bird-like figures from out the corner of their eyes. When Le Lechuzas grow bored, they carry away a victim to eat. Despite their size, the creatures are unnaturally strong. Le Lechuzas can carry a full-grown human in their claws.

Hungry or angry Le Lechuza may not take the time to torment a victim, instead attacking and eating them immediately. Le Lechuza can create more of its number from the remains of a victim. It vomits up a pellet containing the bones and hair of a victim. It will be tended to and cared for, much like a bird would an egg. After several months, the pellet will grow into a new Le Lechuza with the face of the victim. Le Lechuza exclusively chooses female victims for this purpose.

The covens still exist in small pockets to this day. Worshippers often revere Le Lechuza as messengers of the goddess-demi-god. Ceremonies are sometimes led by these monsters. Both the monsters and the cult have spread deeper into the Desert Kingdoms and SteadFast in the current age.

Below are some basic stats that, while pulled from game mechanic sources like BX, Basic Roleplay, D20, and others, are presented in a semi-system agnostic way. To foster ease of conversion and as templates for a DM/GMs to use in their games.

Average Hit Points: 17 (+1D4 per lvl/ + class bonuses if your GM/DM allows this creature as a player character.)

Average Damage + Bonus: 1D6+1D4+weapon if weapon is STR based.

Alignment: Any evil

Average Magic Spell Lvl: As a 5th-level wizard, (BX)

Move: 30' walking / 120’ flying

Initiative Bonus: +3

ATTACKS

Attacks per round: 2 (talons) or 1 (pounce) or 1 (snatch) or 1 by (weapon) or 2 if (dual-wielding).

Le Lechuza if using their natural weapons, fight by raking and stabbing with the wicked claws on their hands and feet.

Pounce: Le Lechuza throws itself against an opponent, knocking them to the ground. The initial attack does 1D6 damage from the monster’s claws and the fall. Using their strength to hold down the opponent, Le Lechuza can make up to two automatically successful attacks on them each subsequent round. The victim may free themselves with a successful opposed Strength roll. Le Lechuza must release the victim to perform any other action.

Snatch: Le Lechuza grabs a victim in its talons and carries them away to feed on. The initial attack does 1D4x2 damage. The victim may escape with a successful opposed Strength roll. Le Lechuza must release the victim to perform any other action.

Preferred Weapons: Le Lechuza prefer edged single or double-handed weapons such as broad swords, great swords, and rapiers. They may use bows, crossbows, and other low-tech ballistic weapons.

Skills

Intimidate 60%.

Armor Class: 13 due to their thick feathers. Non-magical weapons do not harm Le Lechuzas. Bullets do one-half damage. Energy-based weapons, DU rounds, tungsten rounds, and other dense rounds do full damage. Le Lechuzas are effectively immortal, dying only through violence or magics.

Spells: Each Le Lechuza knows 1D6+2 spells, typically spells used to torment others. Common spells known include Contact/Summon Eldritch god, Control Weather, Create Mists of R’lyeh, Curse of Wither Flesh, Dread Curse of Nergul, and Evil Eye. Older, more powerful Le Lechuza may know Death Spell. They have access to magic as a 5th-level wizard.

Natural Enemies: The Le Lachuza has no natural enemies apart from holy clerics, eastern monks, holy paladins/knights, or beings of Lawful Good and Neutral Good Alignment. Harpies, Erinyes, Angels, and Brachinas have all been known to attack Le Lechuzas on sight.