MinBlogIsode - Episode 15 - Is That A Monster In Your Heart?

On very little sleep I ramble about the majesty that was last night's Monsterheart's session and the amazing people that make that game something truly special to play and run.  Then I throw out some RANDOM CRAP including, but not limited to; Dave Gross' awesome sauce, not being a lemming, miniature painting, Iron & Ale, Queens Of The Stone Age, renewed DM vigor, home repair pride, & selling nerdy stuff.  Enjoy succotash!
MinBlogIsode - Episode 15 - Is That A Monster In Your Heart?

The Known World Gazetteer #3

D&D Directors Cut!

It’s been awhile!  On the Facebook(z) one of my former players was talking about Slaads, and I remembered in April I ran this little Encounter for 1^st Group and it went really well.  So I decided to drop it here with commentary for those that want to use it.

Pure Chaos Encounter – Optional 1^st Group Encounter

Uden Stoli, a local herb merchant, comes to the PC’s asking them to find his adopted daughter, Threllis.  A week ago she went into the woods to gather some rare herbs for him and she never returned.  There were tracks found, but they were nothing like he or his son Udi had have seen before.  They went to Kerwin Straight, but he’s been too busy to help them. 

We needed an ‘In’ here.  In the confines of the Hex Crawl I’m finding that giving the PC’s so many options is both a great thing and terrible thing.  They spent the vast majority of the session dealing with their personal business in Red Timber before I could get them to commit something.  As far as the adventure goes, I had to add in a brother, Uli, here.  It gave the PC’s a more immediate contact.  Also Threllis didn’t end up being adopted.  The Stoli’s are now all Elves.  Also the ‘herbs’ she was gathering may or may not have been drugs.  This added to the potential elicit business dealings of Cassie’s character.  It also gave Gene a chance to interact briefly with Kerwin Straight, and subtly brag that he was ‘banging’ his on again/off again love interest.  This adds potential issues in the future if Straight finds out.

As the PC’s cross through the Harvest Wood the stumble upon a low small valley shrouded mist.  In its center stands a circle of stones and in the middle of the stones a shimmering portal.  Upon closer inspection there are 1D10+1 Bullywugs, 3 Giant Frogs, & 3 Slurks standing with rapt attention at the Portal.  One of the Bullywugs, a DC 17 Perception reveals he’s a Caster of some sort, is entreating the portal while waving his hands over a stone slab where the body of an Elf lies.  If the PC’s speak Bullywug, or can make a DC 20 INT check they can get the overall impression that this caster is entreating an entity from the portal to come through and take this sacrifice. 

Basically I pushed through to the Encounter proper quickly, as the PC’s were both hemming and hawing over wanting to do more in Red Timber or fuming over the lack of violence.  So I sped up the pace and got into a pre-battle skirmish with some Bullywugs leading into the ‘main event’.  The Mob is hard to please as there are two distinct play styles vying for control of that group, both ‘tolerates’ the other and begrudgingly appreciates what the other enjoys.  Getting to the bloodshed tends to re-focus the group though and that’s what I wanted.  The PC’s were cutting through the Bullywugs like a hot knife through butter, but were not getting too many single round kills, the Bullywugs have just enough HP’s to stick around and started to tie up the PC’s.  This added some tension when the PC’s realized that something was being summoned. 

Give the PC’s one round of chanting to figure out there options, another round to begin move in as these events are going on 120 feet (24 Squares) away downhill, by the 3^rd round the portal makes a strange noise and the Slaad steps out.  The Slaad speaks in nonsensical comments & questions.  Each round after combat occurs consult the chart for what it actually does if it is not directly attacked.  Should the Action change roll a 1D6, & on a 1 or a 6 the Slaad stares at the sky for 1 Round in seeming mad contemplation.

The initial skirmish with the Bullywugs and the fog gave the PC’s this bit of time to evaluate the situation, at the same time it let me move all my Slurks, Giant Frogs, and Bullywugs forward behind trees and giant mushrooms.  This also let me build some tension for the Druid to pull the Slaad through the portal.  I delayed the pulling of the Slaad through to get the PC’s to move forward with some urgency to allow the Bullywugs and their minions a chance to come out of the fog and attack.  This actually worked out really well.  Also the Slaad Random Encounter table really started to make things crazy at this point.  Once the Slaad stepped through there was a mad rush by the PC’s to get to the dais and kill EVERYTHING!  This allowed me to use some different terrain effects to slow them down and get them to continue to use up resources, which was my goal.

The Slurks protect the Bullywug Druid, the Giant Frogs & Bullywugs rush out to deal with the PC’s.  The Bullywugs fight until slain, unless the Slaad flees back into the Portal.  If that occurs then they flee leaving the Giant Frog & Slurks to cover their escape.

This worked decently.  The Slaad’s random actions ended up being mostly non-combative until James got up close, then he got impregnated.  Twice.  Also the Slaad tried to steal and impregnate the unconscious elven maid.  The Wand Of Chaos Croak ended up healing everyone over and over again, which made the PC’s terrified of what would happen if I rolled a bit better.  It also made things very interesting as it kept the Druid  & the Slaad up and dangerous for the majority of the encounter.  This one was weird as no one really dropped, but there was a lot of hooting and hollering going around and decent amount of tension.  The big thing was there an enormous amount of dread brought on by the fact the PC’s expended all their resources, especially the casters.  I’ve noticed that when that occurs, when the ranged strikers and healers are tapped out THEN the PC’s start to freak out, because their ability to retreat and to get frontline fighters back into the fray is greatly diminished.  THAT is what I really enjoy, that moment when the PC’s have to really think ‘is this fight really worth it’, make a decision with potential consequence, and see it through.  In the end I just felt like this encounter was fun.

Loot – The Bullywug Druid has Wand Of Chaos Croak, 1 Random Magic Item, the Crown of Ash, & 2d20 SPS.  The other monsters have no loot.  The Slaad has 3 Random Magic Items, 2 Random 1 Use Magic Items, & 3d4 Gems that have a 50% chance of turning to ash in the PC’s hands.  The Elf is a female who has amnesia.

Crown of Ash

Aura strong divination & transmutation;         Slot head; Price 29,900 gp; Weight 2 lbs.

Description

This crown gives a +4 competence bonus on CHA checks & CHA-based skill checks when dealing with creatures of the fey type. When dealing with creatures associated w/ fey but not fey themselves, such as gnomes, the wearer gains a +2 competence bonus on these checks.  The wearer can speak, read, & understand Sylvan, If the wearer of the Crown Of Ash is not a fey, he gains low-light vision, a +4 bonus on saves against enchantment spells, & DMG Resistance against all types except Cold Iron.

Wand Of Chaos Croak: +4 to Att, 30ft cone.  The enemy makes a  DC 15 Charisma saving throw.  On a failed saving throw, the creature can't take reactions until the start of its next turn and rolls a d8 to determine what it does during that turn. On a 1 to 4, the creature falls prone and laughs hysterically. On a 5 or 6, the creature takes no action but uses all its movement to move in a random direction singing nonsense words. On a '1 or 8, the creature makes one melee attack against a random creature, or if it has no creatures within movement and reach it then begins spouting horrible truths about themselves & they take 1d4 Psychic DMG.  After every use the User rolls a 1d20, if a 1 or 20 is rolled the Wand detonates.  Roll 1d6, on an Odd result every creature in a 30ft radius takes 2d10+10 DMG, on an Even result every creature in a 30ft radius takes 2d10+10 Healing.  To use this item the wielder must be of a Chaotic alignment, if not once it is picked up their alignment shifts, but the wand become inert to them.  Any ability to check the item tells the PC’s on a DC12 that it is radiating Chaos energy.  

Ah!  The Loot!  If I remember correctly the PC’s were excited about the Loot, but were also VERY wary about using any of it.  Powerful magic items should work, but have potential consequences.  I like the idea of the PC’s using items that could come at a significant cost.  I don’t remember where I took the basics of these two items from but both work perfectly. 

The Slaad Random Actions Table

1. The Slaad walks through the melee ignoring the battle.  It goes to the PC with the highest INT score, sits Indian Style in front of the PC and challenges them to a game.  If they should refuse it cries with a horrific howl causing a DC 15 INT save, and then attempts a Grapple to ‘soothe’ and beg the PC for a Game.  If the PC takes the game, the Slaad grabs them, hops to a large boulder and a produces a hallowed out Gnome skull containing rune stones made of bones (Use Zombie Dice).  If the PC wins the game the Slaad vigorously shakes his/her hand, licks his/her face, and hops back into the Portal, ducking back out for a moment to grab the prone Elf’s body.
2. The Slaad uses its claws to cut itself & begins using the blood to scrawl a strange ritual on the stones.  A DC 16 Arcana reveals that it is some strange esoteric Ritual to destroy this summoning circle & everything in a 1 mile radius.  The ritual takes 1D8 Rounds.  The Slaad doesn’t stop the Ritual for anything.
3. Continue w/ current Action 
4. The Slaad bends down and uses its Claw to mystically mark & then insert the egg into the unconscious Elf.  It takes its time in this action with a particular and odd affection.  It then spends the next 1D4 Rounds defending the Elf from enemies who are not there.
5. The Slaad bellows a massive croak, pushes the unconscious Elf off the alter, & sits on their for 1 Round.  The Bullywugs stop combat & kneel.  The Slaad then says it has come to offer all who will listen to the secrets to the Universe.  It then goes into a 1d4 long seizure, foaming at the mouth, speaking fragments in Supernal, Infernal, Undercommon, Bullywug, etc., and finally sitting fully erect again.  It then sagely whispers, “Kittens are delicious!” & sprints madly out into the woods.
6. Continue w/ current Action 
7. The Slaad attacks the nearest Giant Frog, slays it in one shot, & begins eating it.  It spends 1d4 Rounds doing this periodically choking heartily as it laughs manically as it tries to jam the whole dead Giant Frog down its gullet.
8. The Slaad bellows, “I have come to spread MY WORD!”  It immediately ATT’s the nearest being with its claw impregnation attempting to do this to all creatures present before fleeing back into the Portal.
9. Continue w/ current Action 
10. The Slaad points at a PC (Roll Randomly) & screams ‘MOTHER!  LOVE ME MOTHER!’.  The Slaad then relentlessly ATT’s that PC for the remainder of the Encounter.  If the Slaad kills the PC it holds it to its breast cackling madly.  If the PC’s don’t attack it asks for them to ‘Heal Mother’, on a DC 15 CHA or CHA skill based check the Slaad gives the PC over to the Party & forcefully regurgitates a Random 1 Use Magic Item as well as 1d20 Pps as payment.  If the slain PC is brought back to 1 HP or more the Slaad profusely shakes the hands of the entire party & flees back into the portal.  If the PC’s refuse to shake its hand it becomes aggressive & rolls Init. 

The Random Encounters were crazy, but they fit the fight, and really have left me with the desire to run Slaad’s more often.  Hrm.  Perhaps a trip to the Astral Plane and then to Limbo….Well I hope you enjoyed another bit of stuff from the Known World.

Never Sleep Again Vs. Sleep Away Camp

My inability to sleep struck brutally at 4am this morning.  About a week or so ago a friend of mine pointed out that maybe I suffer from Exploding Head Syndrome.  The idea that instead of that explosive startling auditory hallucination I instead get a blaringly loud jukebox that fires up and plays random songs at full blast in my brain startling me awake.  The thing is it isn’t just to wakefulness, it is to full blown function. 

This greatly interferes with my ability to get real, restive, restorative sleep.  I am the offspring of two Insomniacs.  Their struggles were so consistent and debilitating that for most of my teenage years they moved to separate rooms, not due to marital strife, but so each could find even a small bit of sleep.  The irony of seeing the two of them pass on the stairs in the middle of the night as one is finally trying to go back to bed while the other can’t just lay in bed any longer, like two workers passing during the shift change isn’t lost on me.

I’m lucky in the fact that my better half could and can sleep through a nuclear explosion.  I toss, I turn, I am startled awake, and eventually I rise.  This isn’t an every night thing, but it is the majority of nights.  I take Ibuprofen to try and deaden the joint pain, I take Zquil to hopefully knock me out, I’ll take Valerian Root to help me sleep, and I have been taking Melatonin for years to try and deal with this.  Nothing works consistently.

It hits me the hardest on days like today when it is cool, rainy, and foggy.  I really just want to curl up back in bed and read until I finally fall asleep.  Getting through today will be a struggle, but one I’m up for.  Considering four out of seven days a week I have to deal with this has made me at least able to function.  And really that is all that the place I spend 40 hours a week at is going to get from me.

How about some…

RANDOM CRAP!

• Hey I painted!  The pictures don’t really do them justice, but here they are anyways.  Check ‘em out!
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• You know the best part of my day is when I can walk by my wife’s office and do something dumb and make her giggle.
• Board Game Day went really well.  The only thing that fell flat was Iron & Ale.  I think that had more to do with the fact that you need to have a group who are VERY into the drinking part of it, and willing to do dumb shit.  On the flip side Werewolves Of Miller’s Hollow was a crazy hit.  Trollhalla and Boss Monster were also a great time.  Overall, it is the people who make the day and the games fun, so THANK YOU to all of you who made it.
• I hope to start watching Daredevil this week.
• With the help of THE Karl we finally started repairing the water damage from the leak in the upstairs bathroom.  First off they determined the problem, then THE Karl showed up how to proceed, and we did.  That’s right Cassandra & I did some home repairs!  Now we just need to finish this week. 
• I’m not sure how well anyone who reads this Blog likes the MinBlogIsodes, as I’ve only gotten one real piece of feedback.  The reality is I like doing them, but I really need to get back to writing things down as well, so my goal is to try and do one of each a week, along with all the other stuff.  If anyone has any thoughts, please feel free to e-mail me or to drop them in the comments section below.
• We have to mow, but the weather won’t let us.
• I’m getting rid of my Horrorclix the Great Cthulhu & my Heroclix Fin Fang Foom.  I think I’ll post them on Craigslist tonight.  The reality is I need the room to put some of my other enormous miniatures.  Here are the pictures of the Bones Dracolich that Diamond Dave painted for me, it is incredible.  He also knocked out a Shoggoth & a Griffin.  
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• They are stunning.  I figure if I have these that I will use for D&D, then there is NO reason to hold onto a few miniatures that someone else might want or use.

I think that’s all I got!

Heel Turn Radio - Episode 24 - An Indy For All

The Beard & YOUR King Ginger talk Global Force Wrestling's roster additions, the demise of TNA, muse about Chikara's 'Out On A Limb', and collectively lose our S*$T over PWG's 'Don't Sweat The Technique'.  We walk through the card match by match and tell you why you should seek this out and watch it immediately.
Heel Turn Radio - Episode 24 - An Indy For All

Heel Turn Radio - Episode 23 - Steenicorn

The Beard, Diamond Dave, & YOUR King Ginger adjourn to basement to 'meh' over Payback, gush over Kevin Owens POWNING Jern Tatersalad on RAW, and then ALL of the insanity that was NXT Unstoppable.  All this and The Beard makes a proclamation about The Elimination Chamber that has to be heard to be believed.
Heel Turn Radio - Episode 23 - Steenicorn

MinBlogIsode - Episode 14 - A Fire Sale On Time

I muse on the idea of time and its finite nature, relationships and their cost, and whether I am able and willing to pay it.  Then James & his Epic Beard appear and I wrap up by talking about Board Games, the NXT Women's Title Match from last Wed., Nerf Herder, and season finales of television shows I enjoy.  Oh three day weekend you couldn't come fast enough....
MinBlogIsode - Episode 14 - A Fire Sale On Time

MinBlogIsode - Episode 13 - In My Heart I Will Always Be A Champion

Yesterday evening the King Ghidorah of Friendship and your humble slice of Gingerness recorded an Insecurity Blanket Podcast episode, but the reality is what was discussed really isn't for mass consumption.  SO, I've decided to talk about just why I won't be posting that episode, as well as posting the last twenty minutes or so, because I find the talk of up coming nuptials, wedding demands, Fin Fang Foom, Trivia Death Match, Murder Kings Of Hobodom, and Pork Sadness to be funny.  Enjoy or don't I'm good either way.
MinBlogIsode - Episode 13 - In My Heart I Will Always Be A Champion

Antagonist Relations Podcast - Episode 12 - Sternly Written Letters

The Zack Attack & the Ginger Giant are joined by El Bobert-O & Lady Christy for a chat about going from player to Dungeon Master.  Sprinkled in are ten minute opening songs, demands for listener mail, threats, talks about games gone past, and just what we have on the horizon.
Antagonist Relations Podcast - Episode 12 - Sternly Written Letters

The Insecurity Blanket Podcast - Episode 24 - Ultron, I Would Have Words With THEE!

Your humble slice of fabulous and his lovely wife watched Avengers: Age Of Ultron and then discussed it, for like an hour.  We also briefly babbled about some other stuff, but mainly we talked about fandom of source material turning things into soul crushing experiences, and how fresh eyes on a story can make things 'fun' again.  Enjoy!
The Insecurity Blanket Podcast - Episode 24 - Ultron, I Would Have Words With THEE!

MinBlogIsode - Episode 12 - Early Morning Jitters

I woke up early in a panic because I thought I was going to be late to work.  It is a Sunday.  *sigh*  This morning I talk anxiety, why I can't seem to figure myself or other people out, frustrations, and being hopeful.  Then it is all about that RANDOM CRAP, including but limited to; going to go see The Avengers Age Of Ultron, Lucha Underground's 'Grave Consequences' match, e--mailing with Nathan Poeletta's the amazing creator of World Wide Wrestling, maybe running Warriors Of The Red Planet, & Dread being played on TableTop...Give it a listen, all the 'cool kids' are doing it....Yeah, that's right I've resorted to Middle School level guilting...
MinBlogIsode - Episode 12 - Early Morning Jitters

Heel Turn Radio - Episode 22 - A Baker's Dozen Of HOSS!

Your King Ginger & The Beard talk the announcement of CHIKARA coming to Minneapolis in October & what we hope to see, Lucha Underground's King Cuerno Vs. Johnny Mundo in a Cage, The K.R.D. in R.O.H. & the Tag Titles changing hands in a deliciously evil way, then we watch some classic New Japan matches chock full of HOSS(ey) goodness!
Heel Turn Radio - Episode 22 - A Baker's Dozen Of HOSS!

Heel Turn Radio - Episode 21 - OLE, OLE, OLE, Owwwww

The Beard & your King Ginger adjourn to the Mudd Pitt to talk Brass Ring Club Vs. New Day, Jern Tatersalad's match with our savior Sami Zayn on RAW, the D. Bry. injury situation, the Global Force Wrestling Roster and who we think could get over there, read the 'Heat Gospel' of JTG, and we have a nice chat about whether or not the 'E' is really worth supporting at all anymore.
Heel Turn Radio - Episode 21 - OLE, OLE, OLE, Owwwww

MinBlogIsode - Episode 11 - Bear On A Unicycle

I figured I'd try out the new microphone, thank you Edgar, and talk about the disappointment that was Porkacolypse, the triumph of having fun with the few who did make it, Real Life Vs. 'Fake Life', what investment in other people means to me, and why having that standard is a double edged sword.  Then some short RANDOM CRAP including, but not limited to the glory of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Numenera with LEGO's, TCGS, Lucha Underground, and the dulcet tones of Local H.  At this point I'm not even going to try and guilt you into listening....
MinBlogIsode - Episode 11 - Bear On A Unicycle

MinBlogIsode - Episode 10 - The Spazing

I couldn't help myself...CHIKARA is coming to Minnesota in October so I ranted about something that literally made my day.  As for RANDOM CRAP, it was a mish mash including but not limited to the awesome sauce that is author Dave Gross, my commute, The Superior Foes Of Spider-Man, the World Wide Wrestling RPG continuing to blow our collective minds, Horror News Radio, The Porkacolypse, David Simon's comments on the rioting in Baltimore, D&D of course, & going to the Ring Of Honor show last Saturday night.  So listen or don't, I'm too happy to care!
MinBlogIsode - Episode 10 - The Spazing