LL/AEC Rogues Gallery: The Color Wizards Of Ghuzzar

Wherein your humble scribe presents what might be an Adventuring Party for Labyrinth Lord/Advanced Edition Companion. Inspiration was drawn from Lord Kilgore’s Five Color Magic post, B/X Blackrazor’s B/X Headgear post and the suggestion in Swords & Wizardry that the Elf class might be used for some other kind of ancient, arcane beings.

So here are the Color Wizards of Ghuzzar – done up as LL Core “Elves.” They don’t have the infravision and other elf abilities, though. They’re really just fighter/magic-users without the multi-classing bit. Enjoy them for their weirdness.

They are listed with their currently (and most commonly) memorized spells and their primary equipment. It is safe to assume that they have access to many more spells and much more gold and equipment, both mundane and magical.

Bilanca Rabaisa / “Elf” 9 Lawful
A master of Black Magic, Bilanca Rabaisa roams the countryside upon a jet black steed. She is often seen gathering earth from freshly dug graves and other components for her flavor of magic. She is known for the knuckle-bone encrusted steel skull cap that sits atop her closely-cropped raven black hair.

STR 15 INT 17 WIS 15 DEX 14 CON 13 CHR 13
HP 48 AC 0
Sword +2 (Nine Lives Stealer, 7 charges remain), +1 Plate Mail, +1 Shield
Spells
1st Level: Darkness, Shrink, Wall of Vapor
2nd Level: Amnesia, Blindness, Silence 15′ Radius
3rd Level: Animate Dead, Speak with Dead, Summon Monster I
4th Level: Cause Serious Wounds, Wall of Fire
5th Level: Summon Shadow

Wilgre Bataara / “Elf” 9 Neutral
A master of Blue Magic, Wilgre Bataara lives near the great western sea in a tower made of deep purple coral. He never travels far from home without first donning his trademark 3-Tassled hat.

STR 11 INT 18 WIS 17 DEX 14 CON 14 CHR 16
HP 43 AC 1
Trident +2, Bracers of AC 2
Spells
1st Level: Auditory Illusion, Color Spray, Phantasmal Force
2nd Level: Invisibility, Obscuring Mist, Greater Phantasmal Force
3rd Level: Blink, Hallucinatory Terrain, Spectral Force
4th Level: Phantasmal Monsters, Polymorph Self
5th Level: Greater Phantasmal Monsters

Rabais Wyra / “Elf” 9 Chaotic
A master of Green Magic, Rabais Wyra makes his home deep within the central forest, in a mystical grove where he communes with Treants and other magical creatures of the woods. He keeps his head shaved except for a top knot that he says symbolizes the tree of life.

STR 11 INT 15 WIS 16 DEX 16 CON 18 CHR 14
HP 61 AC 2
Staff of Withering (19 charges remain), Studded Leather +3
Spells
1st Level: Enlarge, Entangle, Speak With Animals
2nd Level: Barkskin, Snake Charm, Web
3rd Level: Animal Growth, Fly, Plant Growth
4th Level: Charm Monster, Summon Animal I
5th Level: Insect Plague

Galanais Bamuj / “Elf” 9 Chaotic
A master of Red Magic, Galanais Bamuj resides beneath the ancient volcano that stands upon the isthmus of Taalengard. Whether armored for battle or found sunning herself naked on the rocks, she always wears her signature open-faced helm, complete with its bat wing motif.

STR 14 INT 15 WIS 11 DEX 15 CON 17 CHR 18
HP 49 AC 0
+2 War Hammer, +1 Plate Mail, +2 Shield
Spells
1st Level: Burning Hands, Jump, Shocking Grasp
3rd Level: Produce Flame, Shatter, Strength
2nd Level: Call Lighting, Fireball, Prayer
4th Level: Fire Shield, Summon Monster II
5th Level: Summon Monster III

Bente Gwys / “Elf” 9 Lawful
A master of White Magic, Bente Gwys travels from town to town on the back of a great eagle, delivering wisdom and news to the kings and emperors of the land. In winter, he wears a tall hat that resembles a stag’s head. In the spring and fall he is seen wearing blood red turban embroidered in golden thread with holy symbols. And though he is never encountered in the summer, during those months he channels the sun’s energy by way of a 3-tiered ziggurat-like helm that is the color of a perfect sky.

STR 13 INT 17 WIS 17 DEX 13 CON 15 CHR 13
HP 45 AC 2
Rod of Striking, Chain Mail +2
Spells
1st Level: Cure Light Wounds, Jarring Hand, Magic Missile
2nd Level: Bless, Hold Person, Spiritual Weapon
3rd Level: Lightning Bolt, Tiny Hut, Tongues
4th Level: Cure Serious Wounds, Wall of Ice
5th Level: Raise Dead

BoL Character: Doran FitzCael

Wherein your humble scribe presents yet another Barbarians of Lemuria character he put together as an NPC for use in his own (highly-derivative) Kaalmuria setting. More will follow at highly irregular intervals.

From the misty, moody island of Kel comes Doran FitzCael, hard of liver and weak of eye. This big brawler lives to fight, and is more than happy to join up with any band that’s out to bust heads and bring home a few coins for a fresh pint. Though he’s not the sharpest, Doran stands by his friends in a pinch and is truly the sort you’d rather have with you than against you. Despite his fancy last name, Doran has no idea who his father was, nor does he have a drop of royal blood in his veins. Like many of his countrymen, Doran knows his fair share of drinking songs. He’s even actually a very good singer – a tenor in a bass’ body.

Essences
Lifeblood 15
Hero Points 5

Attributes
Strength 3
Agility 1 (0)
Mind -1
Appeal 1

Combat
Brawl 2
Melee 2
Ranged -1
Defense 1

Careers
Bard 1
Mercenary 2
Thief 1
Worker 0

Boons
Hard to Kill
Carouser

Flaws
Poor Eyesight

Languages
Kellic, Common (non-literate)

Equipment
Fist d2+3
Longsword, d6+3
Medium armor & Shield (d6)

BoL Character: Orsola Grimaldi

Within the City of Secrets, none are privy to more whispered wisdom than the shadowy order of priestesses who serve the goddess Ceria. Not without reason are these women viewed with suspicious eyes, as they are well-known extortionists who use their knowledge to line the coffers of their order. Many attractive young women in Liria find their way into the sisterhood as a way out of the lower rungs of society, using their unique “gifts” to gather information for the Goddess. Orsola Grimaldi is just such a woman.

Essences
Lifeblood 10
Hero Points 5

Attributes
Strength 0
Agility 2
Mind 0
Appeal 2

Combat
Brawl 0
Melee 1
Ranged 0
Defense 3

Careers
Dancer 1
Courtesan 0
Assassin 2
Priestess 1

Boons
Knife Fighter

Flaws
None

Languages
Lirian

Equipment
Lirian Kris, d6-2
Very light armor, 1d3-1

BoL Character: Stig Damsgaard

From the frozen wastes of Geirbjornhal comes Stig Damsgaard, fierce warrior of the wilds. Captured and enslaved by the forces of Warlord Krug Jas when he was a young man defending his village, Stig soon proved to his captors that his innate ferocity could be put to better use in their army where, at the very least, he would be killing their enemies rather than their slave masters. While serving his new master Stig developed an interest in the songs and poems of the peoples he helped the Warlord conquer. Along the way he has mastered several different folk instruments and intends to learn more still.

Essences
Lifeblood 13
Hero Points 5

Attributes
Strength 3
Agility 1
Mind 1
Appeal -1

Combat
Brawl 0
Melee 3
Ranged 0
Defense 1

Careers
Barbarian 1
Slave 0
Mercenary 2
Minstrel 1

Boons
Spear Fighter
Born To Climb

Flaws
Landlubber

Languages
Native (Non-literate)

Equipment
Spear (1d6+3)
Axe (1d6+3)
Light Armor & Shield (1d6-1)

LL/AEC Rogues Gallery: The Legion of Mossy Stone

Wherein your humble scribe presents the first in what will prove to be an irregular series of Adventuring Parties for Labyrinth Lord/Advanced Edition Companion. 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.

Calling themselves the Legion of Mossy Stone, this group of young malcontents has been sent away from their peaceful village (Caonacloch, called Mossy Stone by those who don’t speak the regional dialect) to “find their way in the world” (or, perhaps, get lost and not return to annoy their elders further). What grand adventures await them? Will they ever make their way home? Will their village regret packing off their best and brightest some day?

Cassear Tal / Human Fighter 1 CN
STR 15 INT 9 WIS 12 DEX 15 CON 12 CHR 8
HP 10 AC 3 Gold 62
Battle Axe, 2 Hand Axes, Chain Mail, Shield

Con Lonabyr / Human Ranger 1 CG
STR 15 INT 13 WIS 13 DEX 10 CON 14 CHR 7
HP 17 AC 6 Gold 4
Longsword, 2 Daggers, Shortbow, Quiver w/ 20 arrows, Studded Leather, Shield

Eoc / Human Druid 1 N
STR 12 INT 13 WIS 15 DEX 10 CON 12 CHR 11
HP 8 AC 7 Gold 155
Quarterstaff, Sickle, Sling & 10 bullets, Leather Armor, Wooden Shield
Druid Spells: Entangle, Faerie Fire, Shillelagh, Speak With Animals

Deala Finn / Human Thief 1 CN
STR 12 INT 6 WIS 7 DEX 16 CON 11 CHR 14
HP 6 AC 6 Gold 107
Short Sword, Silver Dagger, Leather Armor, Thieves’ Tools

Rioncha Wallbulder / Human Magic-User 1 NG
STR 16 INT 17 WIS 9 DEX 10 CON 16 CHR 8
HP 6 AC 7 Gold 115
Quarterstaff, Silver Dagger, Dagger,
Magic-User Spells: Enlarge, Mending, Unseen Servant

Central Texas Mini-Con July 31

Check it out. There’s a mini-convention on Saturday July 31st (and again on August 21) here in Austin. And it’s dedicated to playing old school D&D, no less. Interestingly, it’s put on in part by (or at least in conjunction with) the folks who do the ever-growing North Texas RPG Con. And guess what? Your humble scribe is going to be in attendance (for the July 31st event, at least). See, my wife’s out of town that day and Scholz Garten is maybe a mile from my house and the con itself is free. So really, how could I not go?

Now, for the record, I’m very much not a con guy. The last gaming convention I went to was AggieCon ’95, and that was almost entirely a business trip. I definitely didn’t game at that one. The last time I went to a con where I actually played or ran something you have to go all the way back to 1985, for the twin majesties of TexCon (where I won an Illuminati event of some sort) and DalCon (where I ran a fun Champions game and played my only session of Runequest). I’m pretty sure my only other gaming con experience was Origins ’84 (where I picked up my well-loved OCE box) and didn’t actually play anything. I tend to go to panel discussions and such with these things rather than game, it seems.

So this little con, which is entirely about playing – and not about speakers or vendor rooms or anything else – might just prove to be very interesting. I’m sure I’ll have at least something to report after next Saturday, even if it’s just horror and disgust at the cheeto-dust encrusted gaming masses 🙂

But seriously, if you’re going to be there (and I’d be surprised if any of my “known quantity” readers made it since I know how very NOT in Austin they live) let me know. And if you’re not a “known quantity” reader but you’re there, please do say hello. I’ll be the balding, overweight guy with a beard and glasses wearing a black t-shirt that might say something funny on it. You won’t be able to swing a dead possum without hitting me 🙂

BoL Character: Uncle Fakhir

Wherein your humble scribe presents a Barbarians of Lemuria system-powered character built for use in an Arabian Nights style game. The alert among you will remember that I’m actually running an Arabian Nights game using BRP (not BoL). No worries, though. Even though my players want the relative extra crunch of BRP, I’m still thinking in BoL terms where I can.

Depending upon whom you ask, Uncle Fakhir is either the benevolent master of The Academy For Wayward Children or he is a filthy criminal who exploits and controls the orphans of Wah’Jabiah, forcing them to pick pockets for his own profit. Actually, he is both of these things, and quite a bit more.

While it is entirely true that Uncle Fakhir fills his coffers with the ill-gotten gains acquired by his army of diminutive cutpurses, he does indeed provide them with a safe home, good food, and even an education. He seldom raises a hand against his charges and is always there to secure their safety from the town guard in the event that one of them should be caught in the act of “teaching the blessed lesson of humility” to someone in the souk. Uncle Fakhir truly cares for his “nieces and nephews” and will exact brutal revenge on anyone who should happen to harm them.

Numerous merchants, guardsmen, officials, and soldiers (as well as a number of lovely young ladies within the Sultan’s harem) are graduates of Uncle Fakhir’s Academy and most look kindly upon the man. This may explain just how it is that he is able to continue to operate the Academy as something of an open secret within the walls of Wah’Jabiah.

Raised by his older brothers on the streets of Wah’Jabiah, Fakhir first made his way in the world as a street performer and rogue. Though he now engages mostly in legitimate commerce (at least on the surface) and has grown rather fat with his age and success, Fakhir remains a nimble and dangerous foe in combat.

Essences
Lifeblood 11
Hero Points 6

Attributes
Strength 1
Agility 1
Mind 1
Appeal 1

Combat
Brawl 0
Melee 2
Ranged 0
Defense 2

Careers
Thief 2
Merchant 1
Tumbler 1
Vagabond 0

Boons
Sneaky
Marked by the Gods

Flaws
City Dweller

Languages
Common

Equipment
Scimitar (d6+1)
Several Daggers (d3+1)
Very light armor (good quality clothing) d3-1

Stat BoL Characters For Fun And Profit

In case you haven’t wandered over to the semi-official Barbarians of Lemuria forum, you haven’t seen the little contest that Simon Washbourne (the author of BoL) is running.

To help promote The Crimson Edda – his upcoming book of BoL adventures – Simon is asking folks to take a stab at statting up some characters that are named in the BoL core rules but aren’t actually written up therein. Winners get their writeup included in The Crimson Edda and get a free copy of the PDF once it’s done. Not bad!

So, if you’re up to it, give it a shot. Methyn Sarr, Bellys Blak, Jesharek Jool^*, and a few others await your guiding hand!

^* I’ve already submitted my take on the Wizard-Alchemist Jesharek Jool, and frankly it’s badass, so pick someone else if you want to win, sucker 🙂

BoL Bestiary: Chain Demon

A Chain Demon is a 30’+ length of heavy chain that has been inhabited by a malevolent life force from another plane of existence. The chain is animate, and able to form itself into many different shapes, including various humanoid configurations. Chain Demons attack either by striking with a massive chain “fist” at close range or by lashing out with a smaller (and harder to avoid) chain “whip” to a distance of 30′.

Though their very nature as lengths of chain makes Chain Demons hard to dispatch physically, there may be other ways of dealing with Chain Demons. For example, it is rumored that an immobilized Chain Demon can be exorcized of its malevolent spirit by certain kinds of priests.

Attributes
Strength 5
Agility 1
Mind -1

Combat Abilities
Attack with 1 chain “fist” +2; damage 2d6
Attack with chain “whip” +4; damage 1d6+1
Defense: 3
Protection: 1d6+2 (steely skin)
Lifeblood: 20

BoL Characters: Dusz & Giszeah

Wherein your humble scribe presents Barbarians of Lemuria stats for Dusz and Giszeah, of the Demons of Adad Untash fame. Why? Because it was something to do to kill some time on a lazy Saturday morning, that’s why!

Dusz

Essences
Lifeblood 12
Hero Points 6

Attributes
Strength 2
Agility 2 (1)
Mind 0
Appeal 0

Combat
Brawl 0
Melee 2
Ranged 0
Defense 2

Careers
Warrior 2
Soldier 1
Farmer 1
Rogue 0

Boons
Marked by the Gods, Quick Recovery

Flaws
Country Bumpkin

Languages
Umaabi

Equipment
Alchemical Great Axe 1d6+4 (Uncommon, Boon to hit)
Heavy Armor (mail shirt) d6

*********

Giszeah

Essences
Lifeblood 11
Arcane Power 15
Hero Points 5

Attributes
Strength -1
Agility 1
Mind 3
Appeal 1

Combat
Brawl -1
Melee 1
Ranged 1
Defense 3

Careers
Sorceress 3
Scholar 1
Healer 0
Rogue 0

Boons
Power of the Void, Hard to Kill

Flaws
Taciturn

Languages
Umaabi, Sorceric

Equipment
Alchemical Dagger 1d3-1 (Rare, Boon to hit, unbreakable, ignores armor)

Strange Stones

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