Category Archives: The Winter Marches

Personalities of the Winter Marches I

Wherein your humble scribe presents a handful of NPCs of assorted levels for OD&D (&c.). These folks might eventually appear in a sandbox hexcrawl thang he might or might not undertake in the near or distant future. Maybe. They were all created with 3d6 for stats, more often than not in order. Oh, and with some help from the d30 Sandbox Companion, which is pretty neat.

Beguiling Inarr

Beguiling Inarr is an incredibly charming young man who resides in the village of Mirington-upon-Wyestoke. He’s so charming that even most of the people whom he’s been stealing from for the majority of his 17 years are willing to put up with him. He’s indolent and a wastrel, but clever and handsome. And he’s just sickly enough that pity takes over when his charm runs out. He stole his Elven Boots off of an adventurer who passed through town last season and is careful not to be seen with them if at all possible, since the town united in his defense against the former owner of the footwear, running her company out of town on a rail when they tried to hold Inarr responsible.

Beguiling Inarr / Human Thief 2 C
STR 10 INT 13 WIS 12 DEX 14 CON 6 CHR 17
HP 6 AC 7 Gold 100
Short Sword, 3 Darts, Leather Armor, Thieves’ Tools, Elven Boots

Father Oldahl of Hohn

Oldahl Braeskin spent three years serving as a footman in the Pale Heir’s Glorious Army of Northern Reclamation before joining the Order of St. Basil. During his final campaign he watched helplessly while most of his regiment was slaughtered by the ghouls of the Kraen Moors, himself a victim of the foul creatures’ paralyzing touch. A passing cleric chanced upon the battle and channeled the Saints’ divine light to destroy the fell undead things, saving Oldahl and a scant handful of other soldiers. In the confusion and desolation that followed the battle, Oldahl deserted the army and sought out the Parast Monastery, where he dedicated his life to the service of St. Basil and his followers. Father Oldahl now stands as both mayor and vicar of the town of Hohn, not far from the very moors where his own religious conversion occurred. Clad in mail blessed by the High Priest himself, Father Oldahl stands ready to protect his flock from any foul things that might creep in from the darkness.

Father Oldahl of Hohn / Human Cleric 4 L
STR 13 INT 10 WIS 15 DEX 9 CON 13 CHR 12
HP 15 AC 4 Gold 80
Mace, Chain Mail +1, Shield, Holy Symbol
Cleric Spells: (1) Cure Light Wounds, Protection from Evil; (2) Bless

Kaelor Ves

The Thaumaturgist known as Kaelor Ves is, as are most wizards, quite secretive about his background. The scholars at the Great University note that the only significant mention of Kaelor Ves is found in the Tomes of Binding in the year 641, when he was noted to have been a member of the Company of the Iron Shadow, a band of adventurers famous for having defeated the white wyrm that had terrorized the areas east of Halcaen Drast. The empire’s expansion was facilitated by the destruction of the dragon, and Kaelor Ves was invited to dine with the First Minister to discuss the possibility of serving as a member of the Emperor’s personal Council Arcane. The dinner never occurred, though, due to the assassination of Emperor Hadrin VI by General Tsoras in the spring of 642 and the subsequent disbanding of the Council.

Kaelor Ves / Human Magic-User 5 C
STR 9 INT 14 WIS 13 DEX 16 CON 11 CHR 14
HP 8 AC 9 Gold 130
Dagger, Darts, Spell Book, Ring of Feather Fall, Wand of Magic Missiles
Magic-User Spells: (1) Detect Magic, Protection from Evil, Light, Charm Person; (2) Invisibility, Locate Object; (3) Wizard Eye

Angskelda Longtooth

Known to have served alongside General Tsoras in their youth, the warrior Angskelda Longtooth is reputed to have broken ties with the Steel Emperor sometime before the coup that installed him in the Lion Throne. She has been known to wander the Winter Marches in the company of various unsavory characters who are considered a threat to the stability of the Empire. Unlike those assorted individuals, she does not carry a death mark upon her head. Indeed, it is common knowledge that the Steel Emperor wishes her to be captured alive if she is to be captured at all. The latest rumors regarding Angskelda Longtooth suggest that she is now in possession of one of the five fire blades.

Angskelda Longtooth / Human Fighter 6 L
STR 15 INT 8 WIS 12 DEX 10 CON 7 CHR 10
HP 40 AC 6 Gold 100
Sword +2 (Flaming), Long Bow, Leather Armor, Shield, Potion of Invisibility

Hroth Rhoenthaal

Hailing from neighboring Akania, the name Hroth Rhoenthaal is well-known to the people of the Empire. His deeds are the stuff of legend, and many are the bards who sing epic stories of his exploits in service of Emperors old and new. In each tale, the hearty warrior declines whatever great reward might be due him in favor of returning to the battle, war, or wilds, whichever is most appropriate to the tale at hand. Those who have fought alongside the famous hero note that his lustrous black beard now shows streaks of grey, but his handling of the Axe and Shield of Daelmath remains undiminished by time. While those who have fought against him tell no tales at all.

Hroth Rhoenthaal / Human Fighter 7 N
STR 16 INT 12 WIS 5 DEX 12 CON 15 CHR 7
HP 47 AC 4 Gold 100
Battle Axe +1, Crossbow, Chain Mail, Shield +1, Ring of Fire Resistance

Veysa Orn, The Weeping Queen

Believed to be the only survivor of the Steel Emperor’s purge of the Council Arcane, Veysa Orn has not been seen in nearly 10 years. Little is known of her life since the purge, but those who have seen her say that she wears the signet ring of Emperor Hadrin VI, whose consort she was before his assassination.

Veysa Orn, The Weeping Queen / Human Magic-User 8 N
STR 12 INT 17 WIS 8 DEX 15 CON 10 CHR 15
HP 18 AC 9 Gold 80
Staff +1, Dagger, Spellbook, Ring of Protection +1, Ring of Telekinesis, Potion of Control Person
Magic-User Spells: (1) Shield, Magic Missile, Sleep, Read Magic; (2) Detect Evil, Continual Light, Mirror Image; (3) Dispel Magic, Explosive Runes, Rope Trick; (4) Monster Summoning II, Wall of Ice

S&W Appreciation: Rogues In The Gallery

Swords & Wizardry White BoxWherein your humble scribe presents a batch of characters for Swords & Wizardry Whitebox in honor of Swords & Wizardry Appreciation Day. You should have no trouble using these for any of the other flavors of S&W, though.

The party failed to run when they should have. Somebody just walked up and asked to join your public game. You need an NPC to befriend (or bedevil) your party. Whatever the reason, you need a character and your need it now.

Well have no fear, amigos. Strange Stones has made its name producing pre-made “rogues gallery” style characters for ye olde school and, just for you, here’s a passel you can pick from for your S&W game.

Fighters

Count Augerin Vonfred du Hoxenbury, The Pale Heir / Human Fighter 1 / Lawful
STR 15 INT 8 WIS 5 DEX 11 CON 16 CHR 9
HP 7 AC 4 [15] Save 14
Items: 35 gp, Chainmail, Shield, Spear, Hand Axe, Longsword

Dunthal Rockstomper / Dwarf Fighter 1 / Lawful
STR 14 INT 14 WIS 12 DEX 11 CON 12 CHR 6
HP 4 AC 4 [15] Save 14
Items: 32 gp, Chainmail, Shield, Light Crossbow, 30 Bolts, Hand Axe, Warhammer

Fletcher Dorthal of Mirington-upon-Wyestoke / Human Fighter 1 / Neutral
STR 11 INT 9 WIS 9 DEX 16 CON 9 CHR 15
HP 5 AC 5 [14] Save 14
Items: 73 gp, Chainmail, Short Bow, Quiver w/ 20 Arrows, 2 Silver Arrows, Short Sword, 3 Daggers

Astrabian Silvershine / Elf Fighter 1 / Neutral
STR 13 INT 11 WIS 10 DEX 11 CON 15 CHR 9
HP 3 AC 4 [15] Save 14
Items: 2 gp, Chainmail, Shield, Longbow, 20 Arrows, Longsword, Dagger

Sylvestri Mancuso, The Black Mercenary / Human Fighter 1 / Chaotic
STR 14 INT 11 WIS 12 DEX 12 CON 9 CHR 13
HP 5 AC 2 [17] Save 14
Items: 49 gp, Plate Mail, Shield, Flail, Hand Axe, Longsword

Alwynnia Moonstone / Elf Fighter 1 / Chaotic
STR 13 INT 15 WIS 13 DEX 8 CON 10 CHR 6
HP 2 AC 5 [14] Save 14
Items: 9 gp, Chainmail, Shortbow, 20 Arrows, Shortsword, Dagger

Clerics

Sister Catalina Rosarita Consuela Mendoza y Juarez / Human Cleric 1 / Lawful
STR 12 INT 11 WIS 16 DEX 10 CON 9 CHR 15
HP 4 AC 4 [15] Save 15
Items: 25 gp, Silver Holy Symbol, 1 vial of Holy Water, Chainmail, Shield, Mace

Brother Horace of Sherwylde Glen / Human Cleric 1 / Lawful
STR 9 INT 9 WIS 14 DEX 13 CON 13 CHR 10
HP 3 AC 4 [15] Save 15
Items: 14 gp, Silver Holy Symbol, 1 vial of Holy Water, Chainmail, Shield, Morningstar

Father Lars the Mountain Goat / Human Cleric 1 / Lawful
STR 6 INT 9 WIS 9 DEX 18 CON 16 CHR 9
HP 7 AC 6 [13] Save 15
Items: 13 gp, Wooden Holy Symbol, 1 vial of Holy Water, Leather Armor, Shield, Mace

Brother Ignacio Román Donatello, Initiate of St. Basil / Human Cleric 1 / Chaotic
STR 10 INT 14 WIS 14 DEX 9 CON 11 CHR 8
HP 2 AC 4 [15] Save 15
Items: 2 gp, Silver Holy Symbol, 1 vial of Holy Water, Chainmail, Shield, Flail

Selene Shelwyn, The Arm of St. Katerine of the Sea / Human Cleric 1 / Chaotic
STR 10 INT 7 WIS 13 DEX 10 CON 10 CHR 12
HP 5 AC 2 [17] Save 15
Items: 25 gp, Silver Holy Symbol, 2 vials of Holy Water, Plate Mail, Shield, Mace

Jean d’Urlan, Brewer Monk of the Parast Monastery / Human Cleric 1 / Chaotic
STR 10 INT 14 WIS 14 DEX 9 CON 18 CHR 10
HP 7 AC 6 [13] Save 15
Items: 18 gp, Wooden Holy Symbol, 1 vial of Holy Water, Leather Armor, Shield, Club

Magic-Users

Thorgald the Runereader / Human Magic-User 1 / Lawful
STR 11 INT 12 WIS 7 DEX 13 CON 13 CHR 12
HP 4 AC 9 [10] Save 15
Spells: Charm Person, Read Languages
Items: 109 gp, Staff

Orlanarian Treeflower / Elf Magic-User 1 / Lawful
STR 9 INT 16 WIS 11 DEX 12 CON 13 CHR 13
HP 2 AC 9 [10] Save 15
Spells: Detect Magic, Hold Portal
Items: 174 gp, 2 Daggers

Mbana Tenkanaka / Human Magic-User 1 / Neutral
STR 9 INT 14 WIS 12 DEX 14 CON 14 CHR 11
HP 5 AC 9 [10] Save 15
Spells: Detect Magic, Light
Items: 66 gp, Staff, Dagger

Halina Halx, Guardian of the Silver Gate / Human Magic-User 1 / Neutral
STR 10 INT 14 WIS 11 DEX 12 CON 9 CHR 15
HP 6 AC 9 [10] Save 15
Spells: Charm Person, Protection From Chaos
Items: 43 gp, Staff, 2 Daggers

Veridian Starlight / Elf Magic-User 1 / Chaotic
STR 12 INT 16 WIS 8 DEX 12 CON 9 CHR 14
HP 5 AC 9 [10] Save 15
Spells: Hold Portal, Sleep
Items: 76 gp, Staff, Dagger

Skag / Human Magic-User 1 / Chaotic
STR 10 INT 16 WIS 9 DEX 11 CON 15 CHR 9
HP 7 AC 9 [10] Save 15
Spells: Hold Portal, Light
Items: 80 gp, Staff, 3 Daggers

While You’re Here Looking At S&W Stuff…

Be sure to take a gander at the monsters I’ve put together for S&W as well. Although they’re not officially part of S&W Appreciation Day, you might just find something useful. These are ones I didn’t submit for the S&W Monster Book (now known as Monstrosities, apparently) back in the day.