Options for Cultists The core game presents a couple NPC stat blocks geared toward cult activities. The cultist (CR 1/8)is your basic adherent—a commoner with some skill at half-truths, some knowledge of holy books and perhaps more courage than common sense. The cult fanatic (CR 2) is a 4th-level cleric with a silver tongue, multiple […]
Bigger Bads: Cult NPCs Read More »
Here’s my character backstory for those unfamiliar with my work. I have been deeply in love with the fantasy genre since Tolkien’s The Hobbit set my young mind on fire, and the past decades have been marked by joyful memories of gaming. When 5E first hit the scene, I took my 15 years of eternal-GM
Celeste Conowitch at Kobold Press Read More »
BITING ARMOR Conjuration Cantrip | Cleric, DruidCasting Time: 1 actionRange: 60 ft.Components: V, SDuration: Concentration, up to 1 minute A cantrip created by a saint associated with a deity of cannibalism and hunger, biting armor causes a fanged mouth to appear on a piece of worn armor or clothing. The target is bitten and must
Deep Magic: Spells of the Saints, Part 2 Read More »
While parasitic symbionts afflict their hosts with adverse side effects, most hosts believe the benefits outweigh this. Sometimes such hosts band together to form secret cults based on their common infestation. These cults are often interested in prolonging the life of their parasites, acquiring more parasites, or even spreading parasites to others. Such groups might
Musings from an Empty Tankard: Parasitic Symbionts Read More »
Let’s look at spells that can be used to build up a village and enhance, or curse, the production of a landlord’s fields. Bountiful Lands 5th-Level Transmutation | Bard, Cleric, Druid, Ranger, WizardCasting Time: 1 hourRange: TouchComponents: V, S, M (an apple covered in honey)Duration: 1 year You enhance a patch of land up to
Arcane Adventures: Land’s Labors Read More »
Pestilence embodies the diseases and vermin that plague civilization—viewed as “bad air,” divine punishments, curses, or even demons lurking within the body to corrupt it from within. Deities with this domain may be both healers and killers, striking the unworthy with afflictions while blessing their flock with health. Deities of any alignment may claim this
Deep Magic: Pestilence Domain Read More »
New Equipment Secret Ingredients. An herb, spice, or other flavor used to improve aroma, taste, texture, or presentation. Secret ingredients grant a minor non-magical bonus to bardic abilities. Each seasoning also lists other ingredients you can use in place of the listed ingredient. Secret ingredients are intended to be collected in play, though you can
Bards with Class: New Equipment & Magic Items Read More »
For those who call the Southlands home, their survival isn’t just threatened by a brutal desert environment that sprawls across much of its 2,000-mile expanse. They must also contend with vile demonic cults, cursed tombs, and living gods exerting their wills upon them—and that’s just for starters. To be a cleric in the Southlands means
Playing a Southlands Cleric Read More »
Oreimong the Eater, a planetoid-sized mimic awakened at the dawn of creation by unknown or forgotten gods, arrives in orbit over Midgard, pursuing the thieves who stole its seedling, the mimic’s only offspring. Unable to enter Midgard’s atmosphere and enraged beyond measure, it sends a deluge of mimics across the land, determined to recover what
Rise of the Mimic Moon: Adventure Awaits! Read More »
Members of the Troupe of the Diamond Sky pose as minstrels, actors, playwrights, and other entertainers of the public. In truth though, they are spies and dissidents, passing vital information to usurpers and assassins and otherwise stirring the common folk against their rulers. With more than a century of existence under its belt, the troupe
Parties of Interest: Troupe of the Diamond Sky Read More »
Deep Chill. The beli’s ice dagger and icy shortbow deal 5 (2d4) cold damage on a hit. The beli’s icy shortbow inflicts one level of exhaustion on a failed save. Icy Entanglement (Recharge 5–6). The beli fires an arrow up to 80 feet that explodes in a 20-foot radius of grasping icy tendrils. Creatures in
Tome Unleashed: Beli Read More »
Levels 10–12 In an effort to purify the effects of the Thrice-Cursed Heart, Salamondre decides he needs divine aid. The cult summons and binds an angel to their bidding, attempting to add its power to the ritual singing of the Song Undying to refine the artifact’s powers, to allow it to truly heal and restore
The Song Undying: Mid- to High-Level Plot Hooks Read More »
For ease of explanation, individuals on trial will be referred to as the accused—and the individual running the trial as the lawgiver. Trials resolve with only a few ability checks, though the appropriate challenge DCs and damage penalties should be determined by the GM based on the PCs’ level. Additionally, some trials draw spectators. Once
Musings from an Empty Tankard: Trial by Fire Read More »
You’ve introduced your group of new players to the rules of the game, and they’re excited to create their first characters. They all look through the rulebook and create a fighter, a barbarian, and two paladins. Sure, they’ve all created a character according to the rules and have even written up some personalities to make
Introducing Players to Roleplaying Games: Interacting as a Group Read More »
The following spells are the creations of saints, apostles, and other important religious figures that have spread throughout their faith. Most of the spells can only be used by clerics, but a few can be used by paladins, rangers, druids, and even bards. Only a handful of the spells are available to sorcerers, warlocks, or
Deep Magic: Spells of the Saints, Part 1 Read More »
Options for Clergy The core game presents a few NPC stat blocks with a cleric’s spellcasting abilities. The acolyte (CR 1/4)is akin to a 1st-level cleric, wielding enough power to heal simple wounds. The priest (CR 2)is a more potent 5th-level cleric, possessing the power to cast dispel magic. And the cult fanatic (CR 4)
Bigger Bads: Clerical NPCs Read More »
Stay informed with the newest Kobold Press news and updates delivered to your inbox weekly. Join now and receive a PDF copy of Shards of the Spellforge
