All Hallows to All Saints, October ends for November to begin

Happy All Hallows Day and Eve all!  Enjoy the costumes, food and whatever else you and yours does on this lovely holiday!

November begins with All Saints Day and, in the traditional Irish calendar, it is the start of Winter.   Tomorrow is also the beginning of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) which I will be participating in, as usual, to spur me to write even though I have no idea what I will be working on.

In light of that situation, and seeing no obvious theme to November I will just write about whatever inspires me.   I will keep up with the Tuesday magic items and whatever else I can fit.  However, if you have any requests, anything you would like to see or any theme you would like me to expand upon, please let me know and I will try to fit it in.

October, 2021, saw the following posts here:

Dragonborn in the Sea of Stars, Reexamined

With the release of Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons, Dragonborn have recieved a rewrite and minor improvement, mostly.  So, I have decided to give them a slight rewrite to bring them more in line with the, slightly increased, power level of the “new” dragonborn.  You can read the background of how the Dragonborn fit into the Sea of Stars here.

The update game mechanics follow, they are as presented in the SRD except for:

Age. Newly hatched dragonborn grow rapidly with an appetite to match.  They walk hours after hatching, attain the size and development of a ten-year-old human child by the age of three, and physically reach adulthood by around fourteen years but are not considered adult until they pass through some sort of coming of age ritual. They can live to be as old as one hundred and fifty years but violence often cuts this short.

Size. Dragonborn are often taller and heavier than human a human of equivalent height, though some are more sinious.  Their draconic ancestry is quite obvious.  (Size Medium.)

New Monster – Rose Assassin

These creatures are created for a singular purpose, to kill, drawing upon fae magic and the ties of blood to create an animated plant that seeks to slay a particular target.

A child-size being of vaguely humanoid form made of intertwined strands of thorny vines, its head a mass of flower petals.

Rose Assassin
Small fae plant, evil

Armor Class 16

Tuesday Magic Item – Knight Killing Longbow

Gollaon inspected the arrows, “Excellent craftsmanship don’t you think.”.

“Agreed.  This bodkin point is superb,”  said Voddick.

“They should punch through most armor,” agreed Gollaon.  “I could have used those a few month back.”

“Truth.”

Knight Killing Longbow

These long bows are simple yet stong, light on decoration but perfectly made for their task.  These are magic weapon made by the people, created by craftsmanship and belief, their existance is a careful secret for while often used in the service of the nobility no noble wshes such weapons toexist.

Superheroes – Once upon a Time in 1968 – Issue 10 – Odd Lightning

A month of so after Issue 9, it is summer in New York City and things are about to get hotter.

Cover:  A lightning bolt divides the cover, on one side is a blacked out New York City skyline on the other is the team looking on in horror as Roboto is enveloped in an electrical nimbus.  “A Shocking tale of Heroism.” is written across the bottom.

Opening page:  New York City blacked out.  “How did this happen?  Turn the page, dear reader, to find out.”

New Monster – Star Cat

These creatures are philosophers and explorers, curious to learn about new people and worlds.  What they do with that information is unknown, however they are deadly enemies of the Lrueoc and seek to have them destroyed whenever they learn of them (though reluctant to confront them directly).

A proud lion-sized cat, its dark blue fur decorated with constellations.  It opens its mouth and says, through gleaming ivory teeth, “What are your thoughts on the immortality of the soul?”

Star Cat
Large monstrosity (from beyond), lawful

Armor Class 16

Tuesday Magic Item – Star Cat Ring

Gollaon leaned against the wall and watched as the young student engaged in deep debate with . . . a star cat?  So they had said the being was called.

“Can you follow what they are saying?” whispered Voddick.  “I understand some of the words but the concepts are beyond me.”

“It is a deep philisopical debate on the nature of how do we understand the world around us,” replied Gollaon.  “I can make out that much but only that much.”

“It does not seem our skills as bodygurd will be needed, however,” added Voddick.

“Just as well, that cat seems dangerous for a philosopher.”

Star Cat Ring

These rings are made of precious metals and set with a stone that envokes the stars, rarely there is a cat motif involved but the interior is always inscribed with magc sigils.

Tuesday Magic Item – Shield of Salynas

“While I feel it is right and proper to defend the smaller states against the predations of the larger,” said Voddick while donning armor, “I do wish the largers states would stop being so greedy.  I would be happy to never have to fight in another such battle.”

“Agreed my friend,” said Gollaon slipping arrows into a quiver.  “At least the defenders of this city-state have dug deep into their armories to make sure their defenders have the best weapons and armor they can provided.”

“The shield they gave their champion smacks of old magic,” nodded Voddick.

“I have high hopes that it will be helpful in the coming fight.”

Shield of Salynas

These shields are well made of practical designs and decorated with the heraldric symbol of the community they were made for.  No paint or magic can hide this symbol, it is always displayed.

Looking Back Over GenCon, 2021

Another year, another GenCon, gosh it is nice to say that.  After a year off, it was good to be back, even later in the year and perceptibly smaller.  Still doing its utmost to be the “the best four days in gaming.”

As usual I was working for AEG, so we arrived late Tuesday evening and ended up having dinner at the Rathskeller, the German restaurant that many years back we had an L5R event at (memories).  Service and cider remain excellent. 

Wednesday was devoted to finishing booth setup, rah.  It was very strange to be in a different section of the hall, with a smaller booth, in a smaller exhibitor hall with no Paizo, Asmodee (and the other companies under their umbrella such as Fantasy Flight) or Goodman Games and many more beside.  It imposed a certain disconnect between what I was used to and what was at GenCon this year.  By pure luck, I ran across my friend Drew Baker, who was just in for a few hours helping some of his friends get their booths ready.  Had dinner at Goodwood which took over the Ram’s, which was very good though the cider was overpriced.

Tuesday Magic Item – Naginata of Household Defense

“I am not sure if I should be pleased or concerned that the entire household is mobilizing for its defense,” said Gollaon.

“Pleased surely,” replied Voddick.  “It is nice to see people with a proper concept of how to keep their home safe.”

“I forget you come from a more militant land than I, my friend,” said Gollaon.  “But we had best help if we are to learn our pay.”

“Truth.”

Naginata of Household Defense

These polearms are beautifully made and carefully blessed and sanctified to the household, often decorated with designs lacing with meaning to to home.  Keeping the weapon properly cleaned and cared for is part of the rituals used to maintain its tie to the owner and their household.