Author Archives: the venomous pao

Happy Birthday, Vargold!

Vargold is two years old today. Get ya some wolf time action on if you haven’t (or even if you have).

This post, by the way, is in lieu of commenting on the post itself. Why? Because I can’t comment on Blogger-based blogs. Their authentication method and I don’t see eye to eye. We did at one point, but then it stopped working. Roughly around the time I switched from hosting Strange Stones at WordPress.com and started hosting it myself. So if you’ve ever wondered why I don’t chime in with anything pithy on your Blogger-based blog, now you know why.

But the important thing here is to cheer for another geek blog that made it to the two year mark. So huzzah!

LL/AEC Rogues Gallery: More Thieves

Wherein your humble scribe presents another entry in his Labyrinth Lord/Advanced Edition Companion Rogues Gallery series. This time, it’s more Thieves. These characters are all 1st level, were granted maximum HP (Advanced Style), and have a bare minimum of equipment. They were all created with 3d6 for stats, more often than not in order. And, as is now commonplace, they all have some snappy headgear.

Runnert of Lomax / Human Thief 1 NG
Headgear: Bare, revealing his long flowing hair (tied back)
STR 10 INT 14 WIS 4 DEX 15 CON 11 CHR 11
HP 6 AC 7 Gold 57
Long Sword, 2 Daggers, Hand Axe, Leather Armor, Thieves’ Tools

Silas Smokesky / Elf Thief 1 CG
Headgear: An extravagant tri-cornered hat
STR 15 INT 12 WIS 9 DEX 16 CON 11 CHR 12
HP 6 AC 6 Gold 57
Short Sword, Silver Dagger, Short Bow & 20 Arrows, Leather Armor, Thieves’ Tools

D’Neeta Sahav / Human Thief 1 CG
Headgear: A reversible hood that is black on one side and brilliant copper on the other
STR 13 INT 12 WIS 13 DEX 18 CON 11 CHR 5
HP 6 AC 5 Gold 111
Bastard Sword, Dagger, Short Bow & 20 Arrows, Leather Armor, Thieves’ Tools

Ghentlex / Halfling Thief 1 CN
Headgear: A fancy top hat
STR 12 INT 13 WIS 13 DEX 16 CON 10 CHR 11
HP 6 AC 6 Gold 104
Mace, Silver Dagger, Sling & 10 Bullets, Leather Armor, Thieves’ Tools

Torbald Keeneye / Half-Orc Thief 1 CN
Headgear: An open-faced helm adorned with spikes
STR 13 INT 11 WIS 12 DEX 14 CON 16 CHR 10
HP 8 AC 7 Gold 127
Long Sword, Light Crossbow & 10 Quarrels, Leather Armor, Thieves’ Tools

Andhal / Human Thief 1 CN
Headgear: Bare, revealing his amazing curly mane
STR 13 INT 12 WIS 10 DEX 14 CON 12 CHR 12
HP 6 AC 7 Gold 77
Scimitar, Sling & 10 Bullets, Leather Armor, Thieves’ Tools

Milius Darkwater / Half-Elf Thief 1 NE
Headgear: A blank-faced masked helmet adorned with bat wings
STR 6 INT 14 WIS 10 DEX 17 CON 10 CHR 7
HP 6 AC 6 Gold 48
Short Sword, 3 Daggers, Leather Armor, Thieves’ Tools

Hyaldi the Rat Catcher / Human Thief 1 CE
Headgear: A heavy fur-lined hood of pea green cloth
STR 13 INT 11 WIS 10 DEX 14 CON 13 CHR 9
HP 7 AC 7 Gold 38
Flail, Short Bow & 20 Arrows, Leather Armor, Thieves’ Tools

Burrus the Toad / Gnome Thief 1 CE
Headgear: A deep green & black headscarf
STR 9 INT 13 WIS 11 DEX 17 CON 11 CHR 10
HP 6 AC 6 Gold 92
2 Hand Axes, Short Bow & 20 Arrows, Leather Armor, Thieves’ Tools

Two Years And Counting

I almost forgot that today is the second anniversary of Strange Stones! I certainly haven’t been posting at the pace I started out at, but I also haven’t managed to give up completely. So I’ll call it a victory and keep on keepin’ on.

I would be remiss in noting this anniversary without extending hearty thanks to all my loyal readers. You dudes & dudettes make this something worth doing and I’m glad I’ve gotten to know some of you by way of this exercise in geeky self-indulgence.

Also, I haven’t given up the idea of trying to run some kind of game or another online with you fine folks. I just haven’t had the time I’d like to have to really delve into that kind of thing. Soon, though, I should. And then you’ll all be in trouble. Muhaha.

LL/AEC Rogues Gallery: More Clerics

Wherein your humble scribe presents another entry in his Labyrinth Lord/Advanced Edition Companion Rogues Gallery series. This time, it’s more Clerics. These characters are all 1st level, were granted maximum HP (Advanced Style), and have a bare minimum of equipment. They were all created with 3d6 for stats, more often than not in order. And, as is now commonplace, they all have some snappy headgear.

Daunielle / Half-Elf Cleric 1 LG
Headgear: A 3-tasseled indigo hood
STR 13 INT 7 WIS 15 DEX 15 CON 7 CHR 9
HP 7 AC 3 Gold 8
Mace, Sling & 10 Bullets, Chain Mail, Shield, Silver Holy Symbol
Cleric Spells: Detect Magic, Remove Fear, Resist Cold

Dzja Mrbeq / Human Cleric 1 NG
Headgear: A spiralled conical hat
STR 9 INT 14 WIS 16 DEX 14 CON 6 CHR 9
HP 6 AC 3 Gold 30
Flail, Sling & 10 Bullets, Chain Mail, Shield, Silver Holy Symbol
Cleric Spells: Detect Magic, Resist Cold, Sanctuary

Ardeienne Spirttalker / Elf Cleric 1 CG
Headgear: Bare, showing her shaved & tattooed head
STR 13 INT 11 WIS 14 DEX 7 CON 12 CHR 7
HP 8 AC 8 Gold 1
Heavy Flail, Studded Leather, Wooden Holy Symbol
Cleric Spells: Detect Evil, Purify Food & Drink, Remove Fear

Dalbin the Anvilguard / Dwarf Cleric 1 LN
Headgear: A helm incorporating a snake-faced mask
STR 9 INT 8 WIS 16 DEX 8 CON 14 CHR 7
HP 9 AC 4 Gold 23
War Hammer, Banded Mail, Shield, Silver Holy Symbol
Cleric Spells: Cure Light Wounds, Detect Magic, Light

Kir Artrin / Human Cleric 1 N
Headgear: Bare, revealing his long, braided hair
STR 13 INT 10 WIS 16 DEX 10 CON 10 CHR 12
HP 8 AC 4 Gold 6
Heavy Flail, Banded Mail, Wooden Holy Symbol
Cleric Spells: Cure Light Wounds, Protection From Evil, Sanctuary

Sauldo Wert / Gnome Cleric 1 CN
Headgear: A metal skullcap
STR 8 INT 8 WIS 15 DEX 10 CON 13 CHR 14
HP 9 AC 4 Gold 28
Mace, Sling & 10 Bullets, Chain Mail, Shield, Silver Holy Symbol
Cleric Spells: Cure Light Wounds, Light, Remove Fear

Rewald Weslav / Human Cleric 1 LE
Headgear: Bare, showing his shortish, pony-tailed hair
STR 11 INT 10 WIS 17 DEX 12 CON 8 CHR 11
HP 7 AC 4 Gold 37
Flail, Banded Mail, Silver Holy Symbol
Cleric Spells: Detect Good, Fear, Light

Lurghra / Half-Orc Cleric 1 NE
Headgear: A bedouin-style wrap
STR 12 INT 9 WIS 14 DEX 12 CON 13 CHR 10
HP 8 AC 3 Gold 25
Mace, Banded Mail, Shield, Silver Holy Symbol
Cleric Spells: Cause Light Wounds, Fear, Resist Cold

Aghaan Malthu / Human Cleric 1 CE
Headgear: A classic Mongol-style helm
STR 12 INT 12 WIS 15 DEX 11 CON 7 CHR 13
HP 7 AC 4 Gold 14
Morning Star, Chain Mail, Shield, Wooden Holy Symbol
Cleric Spells: Command, Detect Magic, Putrefy Food & Drink

LL/AEC Rogues Gallery: More Fighters

Wherein your humble scribe presents another entry in his Labyrinth Lord/Advanced Edition Companion Rogues Gallery series. This time, it’s more Fighters. These characters are all 1st level, were granted maximum HP (Advanced Style), and have a bare minimum of equipment. They were all created with 3d6 for stats, more often than not in order. And, as is now commonplace, they all have some snappy headgear.

Gilby / Halfling Fighter 1 LG
Headgear: A tasseled black hood
STR 13 INT 10 WIS 5 DEX 13 CON 13 CHR 12
HP 11 AC 5 Gold 60
Short Sword, Sling & 10 Bullets, Dagger, Studded Leather, Shield

Aethyn Starwillow / Elf Fighter 1 NG
Headgear: A daisy-yellow hood decorated with Norse runes
STR 16 INT 7 WIS 10 DEX 14 CON 9 CHR 6
HP 10 AC 4 Gold 10
Long Sword, Short Sword, Longbow & 20 Arrows, Dagger, Chain Mail

Kir Bralghan / Human Fighter 1 CG
Headgear: An open-faced helm adorned with tusks
STR 14 INT 9 WIS 11 DEX 12 CON 13 CHR 16
HP 10 AC 3 Gold 77
Battle Axe, 2 Hand Axes, Banded Mail, Shield

Maarlyne of the River People / Human Fighter 1 LN
Headgear: Bare, showing his amazing curly mane
STR 14 INT 12 WIS 7 DEX 13 CON 10 CHR 10
HP 10 AC 3 Gold 7
Spear, Silver Dagger, Short Bow & 20 Arrows, Chain Mail, Shield

Parl Joost / Human Fighter 1 N
Headgear: Bare, showing his impressive dreadlocks
STR 15 INT 10 WIS 8 DEX 12 CON 13 CHR 11
HP 11 AC 5 Gold 29
Mace, Light Crossbow & 10 Quarrels, Scale Mail, Shield

Dek The Bonecrusher / Half-Orc Fighter 1 CN
Headgear: A metal skullcap
STR 15 INT 7 WIS 11 DEX 13 CON 13 CHR 10
HP 11 AC 4 Gold 24
Heavy Flail, Scimitar, Dagger, Short Bow & 20 Arrows, Chain Mail

Stylix Freyn, Future Warlord / Human Fighter 1 LE
Headgear: A full-visor style great helm adorned with multicolored feathers
STR 18 INT 11 WIS 7 DEX 15 CON 15 CHR 7
HP 11 AC 2 Gold 7
Morning Star, Dagger, Banded Mail, Shield

Hourrun the Selfish / Gnome Fighter 1 NE
Headgear: A pure white turban
STR 16 INT 11 WIS 5 DEX 10 CON 11 CHR 11
HP 10 AC 9 Gold 17
Short Sword, Silver Dagger, Chain Mail, Shield

Kine / Half-Elf Fighter 1 CE
Headgear: A fancy top hat
STR 17 INT 12 WIS 12 DEX 12 CON 10 CHR 6
HP 10 AC 9 Gold 30
Pole Arm, Longsword, Dagger, Long Bow & 20 Arrows, Banded Mail, Shield

LL/AEC Rogues Gallery: More Magic-Users

Wherein your humble scribe presents another entry in his Labyrinth Lord/Advanced Edition Companion Rogues Gallery series. This time, it’s more Magic-Users. These characters are all 1st level, were granted maximum HP, and have a bare minimum of equipment. They were all created with 3d6 for stats, more often than not in order. And, as is now commonplace, they all have some snappy headgear.

Stavros / Human Magic-User 1 LG
Headgear: A pea green hood w/ long tassel that has a figurine of a ship
STR 6 INT 17 WIS 10 DEX 15 CON 9 CHR 11
HP 5 AC 8 Gold 111
Staff, Silver Dagger, 4 Darts, Spell Book
Magic-User Spells: Enlarge, Jarring Hand, Sleep

Sylania Sunsong / Elf Magic-User 1 NG
Headgear: A hat, the brim of which comes to points at the front and back
STR 8 INT 15 WIS 5 DEX 8 CON 13 CHR 13
HP 5 AC 9 Gold 110
Staff, Dagger, Spell Book, Owl Familiar
Magic-User Spells: Feather Fall, Read Langauges, Summon Familiar

Kir Dannos / Human Magic-User 1 CG
Headgear: None, showing his balding head
STR 10 INT 15 WIS 12 DEX 12 CON 13 CHR 15
HP 5 AC 9 Gold 147
2 Daggers, 4 Darts, Spell Book
Magic-User Spells: Jump, Manipulate Fire, Shocking Grasp

Loric / Half-Elf Magic-User 1 LN
Headgear: A short, conical hat
STR 13 INT 14 WIS 11 DEX 14 CON 10 CHR 13
HP 4 AC 8 Gold 113
Staff, Spell Book
Magic-User Spells: Light, Mending, Shield

Gedrald The Fisher / Human Magic-User 1 N
Headgear: A large beret
STR 11 INT 17 WIS 9 DEX 6 CON 12 CHR 14
HP 4 AC 9 Gold 93
Staff, Silver Dagger, Spell Book
Magic-User Spells: Allure, Floating Disc, Shield

Zadlo of Ghen / Human Magic-User 1 CN
Headgear: A long, heavy, dark brown scarf
STR 13 INT 18 WIS 5 DEX 14 CON 13 CHR 7
HP 5 AC 8 Gold 35
Silver Dagger, Spell Book
Magic-User Spells: Burning Hands, Erase, Unseen Servant

Maeryn Dawnwind / Elf Magic-User 1 LE
Headgear: A multi-colored (black, brilliant copper, ivory white) hood with a single tassel ending in a figurine of a skull
STR 10 INT 13 WIS 12 DEX 12 CON 10 CHR 10
HP 4 AC 9 Gold 128
Staff, Dagger, 4 Darts, Spell Book
Magic-User Spells: Feather Fall, Identify, Manipulate Fire

Occarlon, Seeker of Damned Words / Human Magic-User 1 NE
Headgear: An open-faced classic samurai helmet
STR 12 INT 15 WIS 8 DEX 13 CON 11 CHR 12
HP 4 AC 8 Gold 69
Silver Dagger, 2 Daggers, Spell Book
Magic-User Spells: Floating Disc, Message, Magic Missile

Faar Draal / Elf Magic-User 1 CE
Headgear: Bare, showing his shaved & tattooed head
STR 12 INT 16 WIS 8 DEX 15 CON 14 CHR 8
HP 5 AC 8 Gold 80
Staff, Dagger, Spell Book, Quasit Familiar
Magic-User Spells: Hold Portal, Jarring Hand, Summon Familiar

Shameless eBay Auction Plug: Battledroids!

Howdy, everyone. It occurred to me this morning that some of y’all might be interested in (or know someone who would be) this eBay auction I’ve got up for a very cherry copy of the original Battledroids boxed set.

If you’re not familiar with Battledroids, it’s the original version of Battletech, that Macross-esque miniatures wargame that FASA used to produce back in the olden days. When they first released the game it was indeed called “Battledroids” but then a certain purveyor of science fiction films got all chippy with them over the use of the word “droid” and forced them to change the name to Battletech. So this is something of a rarity.

If you’re one of the StrangeStonesHeads and you wind up winning this auction, let me know. It would please me to know this set was going to a good home.

Nogoloth: The Decanter Of Black Rain

Wherein your humble scribe presents an artifact that he whipped up for his sadly dormant Lovecraftian Fantasy setting, Nogoloth. Though written with Barbarians of Lemuria in mind, it shouldn’t be too hard to convert this blasphemous creation for use in your game system of choice. Let me know if you do. I’d love to see how you implement it.

Deep within the disused storage area of the Library of Forbidden Wisdom at Great University in Khaarm one might find a small chest – made of well-oiled, darkly-stained wood and appointed with silver and unknown, faintly luminescent gemstones – the lock of which has been sealed with the blood-red wax emblem of the High Academic himself, inscribed in which is a sigil of dire warning. Within this ominous casket one will find a simple copper decanter, unadorned save for the indecipherable mark of its original creator. If any in Khaarm know of this relic’s existence, they steadfastly deny all such knowledge if interviewed. I know, for I spoke to them all. Only the half-mad caretaker of the 3rd basement would even admit to the possibility of such an item’s presence within the archives. Yet I know it to be there, for I have seen it in my dreams.

In my dreams I have caressed the sturdy wood of this container, and I have thrilled at the impossible to describe feel of it. Somehow it is both soothingly warm and tantalizingly cool to the touch, as though it were recently unearthed from both desert and tundra simultaneously.

The first night I dreamt of the box I woke with a start just after my fingers traced its lines, aware of a powerful yet instantly forgotten phrase that had just fled my consciousness.

On subsequent nights my dream lasted longer, and growing ever bolder in the dream I reached a point where I sliced the seal and opened the container, revealing the decanter within. Last night, as I slept, my dreamform sipped directly from the copper vessel, which was full despite not having been filled by human hands. When I awoke this morning, I felt a thirst I have never felt before. I had a taste for a draught that does not exist in the world of men. So powerful is this longing, this desire, this lust, that tonight I will abandon my dreams and make my way to the Library to rescue that which is rightfully mine from the depths of its imprisonment by the fools who call themselves seekers of wisdom.

It shall be mine again.

The Decanter Of Black Rain

The Decanter Of Black Rain pours forth pure void essence, which when consumed by sentient creatures grants them 2 Arcane Power (as the Power of the Void boon) but also reduces their Lifeblood by 1 point. After the bonus AP are used, the drinker’s maximum AP is reduced permanently by 1 point. Only by drinking from the Decanter again can the user of the Decanter elevate his AP back to its original (+2) value. This process continues, with Lifeblood and Arcane Powers continuing to diminish as outlined above as the Decanter continues to be used. Once an individual’s LB or AP have been reduced to zero by use of the Decanter he will be drawn into the Decanter itself, where his consciousness will merge with the void.

LL/AEC Rogues Gallery: The Iron Triumvirate

Wherein your humble scribe presents a trio of heroes from the City of Iron: an Elementalist, a Necromancer, and their otherwordly Fey companion. The writeups for these delightful Labyrinth Lord classes – and in some cases many of the spells they have access to – can be found at the aforementioned City of Iron. These characters are all 1st level, were granted maximum HP (Advanced Style), and have a bare minimum of equipment. They were all created with 3d6 for stats, more often than not in order. And, as is now commonplace, they all have some snappy headgear.

It’s well known that the City of Iron produces some odd adventurers. Perhaps it’s something in the rust-red water that flows in the River Vaign. Perhaps it’s got something to do with the odd gods who are worshipped there, like Assedh and Hegg. Or maybe it’s due to all of the magical research that goes on there. Whatever the cause, this small group of treasure-seekers has embarked on a great journey that could bring them fame & fortune or ignominious defeat. Their fate is in your hands now, gentle reader.

Mariax Terrlinium / Human Elementalist 1 CN
Headgear: Metal Skullcap
STR 6 INT 17 WIS 9 DEX 9 CON 14 CHR 13 HP 5 AC 9 Gold 133
 Quarterstaff, Silver Dagger, Spell Book
Elementalist Spells:
1st level: Summon Lesser Elementine, Seasong/Windsong/Firesong

Drakoth the Black / Human Necromancer 1 LN
Headgear: Three-Tasseled hat
STR 11 INT 15 WIS 13 DEX 12 CON 12 CHR 8 HP 4 AC 9 Gold 113
 Quarterstaff, Silver Dagger, Spell Book
Necromancer Spells:
1st level: Skeletal Servitor, Command Undead

Çurael / Fey 1 N
Headgear: Conical, plumed helmet
STR 14 INT 17 WIS 9 DEX 10 CON 10 CHR 7 HP 8 AC 9 Gold 35 
Long Sword, Short Bow & 20 Arrows, Chain Mail, Shield
Fey Spells:
1st level: Auditory Illusion, Doppleganger

The Reprints

Surely you’ve read by now that, come April, Wizards of the Coast will be releasing reprints of the AD&D Players Handbook, Dungeon Masters Guide, and Monster Manual.

This is exciting news, even if I’m not entirely sure that I’m interested in purchasing reprints. I mean, I don’t need them. I’ve got my original books and I picked all of the old AD&D books up as PDFs back when WotC was selling them at RPGNow. I’m also not quite sure how I feel about the idea of new “commemorative” covers for these editions, but that will ultimately depend on the covers once we see them.

I’ll cop to having balked at the prices when I first saw them late last night, but in retrospect they’re not at all unreasonable. Assuming the books are solidly put together, that is. I’m inclined to believe they will be, of course. But it’ll be awfully hard to beat the bindings that were done on the originals. Those things might as well be wrapped in titanium!

So that’s that. It’s definitely a nice thing to have happen. And very surprising. Now if only WotC would put PDFs of all the old material back on sale. That would be truly awesome.