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The Code of the West

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My Western campaign , despite the setting, is based on D&D.  There are fighters and clerics, rogues and wizards, druids, and so on.  Paladins, who, for the most part have no orders to swear allegiance to (currently, I only have the Ordo Malleus and the Red Reverends ) instead follow the Code of the West.  The Code of the West is a set of strict morale guidelines. This code should not be confused with the (fairly confusing) Law of the West... Those who keep to the code believe the following... A Cowboy must not take unfair advantage of an enemy A Cowboy must never go back on his word A Cowboy must always tell the truth A Cowboy must always be gentle with children, the elderly, and animals A Cowboy must not possess racially or religiously intolerant ideas A Cowboy must help people in distress A Cowboy must be a good worker A Cowboy must respect women, parents, and his nation's laws A Cowboy must neither drink or smoke A Cowboy must be a patriot Not all cowb

The Gift of the Mogwai

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Christmas will be upon us soon so I thought it would be nice to write another holiday themed post. With that in mind, I present to you the Gift of the Mogwai.... But remember, with every gift, there comes certain responsibilities. There are conflicting rumors regarding the origin of the Mogwai.  Some say that they were created on a distant planet to spread peace and happiness, as well as to stop wars and extinctions on distant planets. Another rumor claims that they are devilish spirits (as a side note, "Mogwai" is Cantonese for "devil") given bodies who enjoy wreaking havoc and spreading death and destruction. Mogwai CR: 1/2    Tiny Magical Beast HD: 1/2d10     Hp: 5 Init: +2     Spd: 10' AC: 6 (+2 size, +2 Dex), t: 8, ff: 8 Attacks: BAB/Grap: +1/-9; +5 Unarmed: 0 SA: - - SQ: Darkvision 60', Daylight Vulnerability, Low-Light Vision, Metamorphosis, Reproduction, Transformation Align: NG     Saves: Fort +2,

The Grinch

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The Grinch is a 53-year old Half-Ogre Bugbear that lives in the mountains just North of the town of Whoville. He is, or at until recently was, incredibly hostile toward the Who's and their Midwinter holiday festivities, going so far as to steal gifts, food, and decorations in an attempt to disrupt the celebration. The Grinch Male Half-Ogre Bugbear CR: 3     Large Humanoid (Giant, Goblinoid)       HD: 3d8+9     Hp: 25 Init: +0   Spd: 40'  AC: 16 (-1 size, +7 Natural), t: 9, ff: 16 Attacks: (BAB +2, Grap +15); +10 Unarmed: 1d4+9 SA: - - SQ: Darkvision 60', Giant Blood, Scent Align: NE (NG by end of book/movie) Saves: Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +1 Str: 27, Dex: 10, Con: 17, Int: 10*, Wis: 10, Cha: 7 Skills: Bluff +2, Craft (Sewing) +2, Disguise +2, Handle Animal +0, Listen +4, Move Silently +6, Spot +2 Feats: Alertness, Deceitful Gear: Sleigh with Dog Harness, Sewing Kit, Sacks of Assorted Sizes, "Santy Claus" Hat and Coat Environment: Temperature M

Turbo the Racing Snail

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"Turbo" was a 2013 animated movie about a snail who gains speed powers and competes in the Indianapolis 500. I am strongly considering making this official history (with some minor changes) for Earth-218 . In a world with aliens , superhumans , robots , and the paranormal , a racing snail would not be entirely out of place so here is my take on the character. The "Mutant template" is based on d20 Paragon created by D. Jon Mattson. Theo (a.k.a. Turbo) "male" Talking Garden Snail CR: 1     Fine Animal (Mutant)     HD: 1/16d8.    Hp: 1 Energy: 16 (+1/HD or class level after 1st) Init: +6     Spd: 60' (see below), climb 60' AC: 30 (+16 size, +4 Dex), t: 30, ff: 26 Attacks: (BAB +0; Grap -21); N/A SA: Mutant Abilities SQ: Mutant Abilities A lign: N      Saves: Fort +2, Ref +7, Will +0 S tr : 1, Dex: 18, Con: 11, Int: 10, Wis: 10, Cha: 10 Skills:  Jump -2 (max distance with running jump is multiplied by 8), Sport (Auto-Racing) +4*,

Day Five of the Odinsleep (A Leader Rises)

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Day Five of the Odinsleep (6 am, 1 hour until sunrise) Idunn raises  one hand, "Before the lot of you get sacrifice-happy, you must show Gladr that you are worthy. The Sleipnirs of Varldsliggard are the many great- grandfoals of Odin's mighty steed." She then asks the same question of the equine that is on everyone else's lips, "What does it take to be worthy and what is this sacrifice?"  The horse neighs, whinneys , tosses its head, and tamps the ground with several of its forefeet. Hildr the Valkyrie nods, "Uh-huhs" and "I see's' a couple of times before turning back to the party. "These beasts are the progeny of the All-Father's own steed. A demonstration of mastery over the sky should suffice. Surely at least one of you magicians ought to be capable of that."  The minstrel-priest interjects. “Mastery over the sky can be many things from weather control to flight to a simple breeze.” He grasps t

McRobots in a Modern Campaign

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Robots , whether they are shapechangers or not , and innocuous-appearing animals adapted for spy missions seem to be a recurring theme for my NPCs of late. While watching videos on YouTube today, I was reminded of these little guys and promptly got to work adapting them for my campaign . Macro Mac...           Fry Force...                     Krypto Cup...                               Fry Bot...                                         Robo-Cakes...                                                 Gallacta Pounder...                                                           C2...                                                                     Turbo Cone... In 1987, during what many consider to be the height of the "Burger Wars", McDonald's operating revenue and profits grew while its competitors Burger King and Wendy's were laying off employees and posting quarterly losses respectively. McDonald's success can be attrib

Pecos Bill - Legendary American Cowboy

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Pecos Bill was a Texan Cowboy during the American Westward Expansion (in some versions, the 1830s, other tales claim 1845 - the year Texas became a US State). In either event, Bill was separated from his family after falling out of their covered wagon and was subsequently raised by a pack of coyotes. He rescued a colt from a pack of buzzards and it became his constant companion, eventually growing into the horse "Widow-Maker".   Bill was the toughest cowboy of his time, equally at ease brawling with bandits as he was with Native Americans. "They" say he dug the Rio Grande and not only roped, but rode a tornado.  He eventually courted a (and I am not kidding when I say this) catfish-riding woman named Slue-Foot Sue. Bill and Sue were soon engaged to marry and Sue insisted on riding Widow-Maker before the wedding.  Widow-Maker was jealous of Sue and during her attempt to ride, he bucked so hard that her dress's bustle bounced her to t

The Mysterious Miasma

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T he Mysterious Miasma is intended to serve as an antagonist for my players once they reach Earth-218 . Like Chlorokill before him , I wanted to create a villain who had an understandable, perhaps even sympathetic motivation. Dr. Ashton Ward was a researcher for the Edmundson Center for Toxin Research and Defense when a laboratory mishap resulted in him being transformed into his current state. The change caused something inside of him to "snap". He blames the Center for what happened and wants revenge. The Mysterious Miasma (Ashton Ward, M.D.) Human male Expert 3/Metahuman 12 CR: 15     Medium Humanoid (Human, Mutant) HD: 3d8 plus 12d8     Hp: 91     Energy: 35 Init +2     Spd: 30'     AC: 12 (+2 Dex), t: 12, ff: 10 Attacks: ( BAB +11/ Grap +15) ; +13/+8/+3 Unarmed Strike: 1d3 (on a successful Grapple, can force opponent to inhale him, displacing oxygen and causing suffocation) or +13 Acid/Fear/Poison Touch: see below for effects

Odds and Ends

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Today, I thought I would share a couple small things that I have had floating aroud for awhile that aren't quite meaty enough to get their own posts.  "Suspicious Minds" is probably my favorite Elvis song and its title sounds more like the name of a feat for 3rd edition than any other song I can think of. Suspicious Mind [General] You aren't easily deceived. Benefit: You get a +2 bonus on Sense Motive checks to resist Bluff and Spot checks to see through a disguise. (No, not THAT kind!) "Seasoned With Butter - A Guide to Halfling Cuisine" This book has thin wood front and back covers, allowing it to be used as a cutting board. Within, food stained pages hold dozens of recipes ranging from simple breakfasts to elaborate desserts and plans for entire banquets. Reading the entire book takes 20 hours but once complete, the reader gains a permanent +2 insight bonus to Craft (Cooking).  Additionally, when any of the recip

🐊 Gustave: the Demon Crocodile of Burundi 🐊

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The people of Burundi have been hunted by a demon for the last 30 years. A crocodile known as Gustave is allegedly responsible for the deaths of over 300 humans and is so large and powerful that he is thought to be bulletproof and hand grenades are only capable of driving him off. His dark green scaly body is covered with the numerous scars from old wounds. Gustave: the Demon Crocodile of Burundi CR: 8     Huge Outsider (Fiendish/Monster of Legend templates)     HD: 14d8+126     Hp: 186 Init: +9     Spd: 20', swim 30'     AC: 24 (-2 size, +4 Dex, +12 natural); t: 9, ff: 15 Attacks: ( BAB +10; Grap +35) ; +21 Bite: 2d8+18 and +19 Tail Slap: 1d12+18 SA: Improved Grab, Frightful Presence, Smite Good SQ: Darkvision 60', DR10/magic, Fast Healing 5, Hold Breath; Low-Light Vision, Resist Cold/Fire 10, SR19 Align: NE     Saves: Fort +18, Ref +13, Will +6 Str: 37, Dex: 18, Con: 29, Int: 3,  Wis: 14, Cha: 6 Skills: Hide -1*, Listen

Hansuke - The Legend Continues; A Less-Than-Friendly Greeting

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When last we left Hansuke, the tattooed monk had left his party in Asgard and traveled to the Prime Material Plane via the Bifrost. He soon met three travelers, a samurai nicknamed Jug, a monk named Geylan, and a merchant named Jamkkan. A brief explanation of how Hansuke arrived in their land was given, Geylan placed his wrists inside an iron cage that Jamkkan locked before turning in to sleep, and Jug stood watch over the group. The trio wants Hansuke to take them to his arrival point before they go to see the master of the monastery they are currently living in. 16 Feb 1371 07:00:00 (2621 Shou calendar) The next morning, Hansuke and the three travelers rise before the sun and make their way up the slope toward the spot where the Bifrost deposited the monk the night before.  When they arrive, they discover that a crowd has formed. A dozen men clad in simple armor and carrying spears are arranged in a loose semi-circle around a mounted samurai. A priest of some sort hu