Smoldering Host of the Risen “This is not what we had planned to create,” sighed the Archdaemon of Wasting. “This is not what I wanted.” “Can you call it a failure?” Her consort and servitor asked in return with a wry expression of pride. “Yes Trelmarixian, I do.” The reply dripped with a curious mixture […]
Wayward Children of the Abyss (Part 3) Read More »
“The Last Map of the Cartomancer” presents a series of magical maps introduced through the escapades of Lan Su’Vavock and Kai Geyser, two sages on the trail of interconnected clues left behind by an ancient cartographer of legend. ___ “That’s not a map.” “It most certainly is.” “No, it’s a potion—and probably a dangerous one
The Last Map of the Cartomancer (Part 1 of 5) Read More »
Wolfgang Baur has been invited as a panelist and speaker at NorWesCon 33, this April 1 to 4 in Seattle. The convention panels will include a number of RPG luminaries from the local game industry whose brilliance rivals that of the local favorites from Open Design, including some worthy gentlemen from Green Ronin, Paizo, and
Kobolds at NorWesCon 33 Read More »
At first glance, it looks to be nothing more than a sword rack, masterfully carved from a single piece of dark wood, holding weapons in stylized arms. However, approaching the sword rack, it comes to life as its arms unfold to wield the sharp payload. It bounces menacingly towards you, flourishing the blades with an
Bait & Switch: Trap or Monster? Read More »
Instead of leaves, the gnarled black tree grew sharp, metallic slivers, ringing out like a thousand tiny bells in a constant trickle of wind. Stronger gusts often cause a razor or two to disconnect, falling lazily and slicing blades of grass in its descent. The accumulation of dismembered birds that lay by the tree in
Monday Monster: Razor Treant Read More »
The shopkeeper looked at the leopard-spotted dog sitting outside his shop, and he found himself oddly compelled to leave his shop so he could pet the sad-looking animal. The dog sat there while he consoled it and asked it where its owner was. Suddenly, a sharp whistle sounded to his left, and the dog trotted
Friday Funny: Krenshar-Pei Read More »
Trebuchets are the dominant siege engine in parts of the world. They have advantages over many other weapons, including longer range, the ability to throw a variety of objects, easy maintenance, and variable power. Trebuchets include a frame from which a long, unbalanced arm (virga) swings. The virga is attached to the frame by means
Ancient Weapons: The Trebuchet Read More »
“The door was thick—made of stone, I think—but I could still hear it. Damn my soul, I could still bloody hear it.” The priest sat in silence, casting a long frown over the ninth bowl of oatmeal the warrior had ignored this week. “When it first touched my ears, it sounded like a barrel of
Humpday Hazard: Ghoul Vomit Read More »
Though he’s too modest to brag about it himself, our Web Editor Scott Gable has launched a dual-edition set of Spirit Magic that I think is the most promising new company launch in ages. Now I might be slightly biased, but if you’ve seen Gable’s writeups in Kobold Quarterly, you might not be surprised. This
Rituals and Incantations:
Welcome Zombie Sky Press Read More »
There is always room for improvement. This is a basic fact known to trapsmiths. The only limits to improvement are time and money: usually clients only want “reasonable” protection or warding. Trapsmiths offer a plethora of reasonably priced enhancements to improve standard issue traps, making them something special and unique. Many traps are that much
Trapsmith: Trap Enhancements Read More »
Insular to the point of xenophobia, the peacock spawn interact only sparingly with outsiders, trading for weapons or magical items, but always with disdain as if they believed themselves superior to other beings even in the face of their own often desperate tribulations within the Abyss. Habitat & Society Continually wandering, with no set layer
Wayward Children of the Abyss (Part 2 of 5) Read More »
Trapsmiths try very hard to impede, disable, and destroy intruders, but sometimes, trapsmiths wish that tomb robbers would just destroy themselves. The undead druid known as the “Thing at the Soul of the Mire” (see Kobold Quarterly #3) was one of the first to develop the painful lure trap: a trap where intruders cause their
Trapsmith: Biological Warfare Read More »
I’m happy to announce that Tales of the Old Margreve has reached the commissioning goal and is moving into design! The project has strong direction from the supremely talented design duo of Tim and Eileen Connors—and the raw horsepower of a hundred sharp and crafty GMs and designers, including RPG Superstar semi-finalist Jim Groves and
Green Light:
Tales of the Margreve Commissioned Read More »
Tim Connors and the patrons have already brainstormed more than 50 forest monsters for Tales of the Old Margreve, and they are winnowing the list to the best dozen or so for use in the adventures. Just as a sample of how these are not exactly typical forest denizens, here’s the smallest of the monsters,
Monday Monster: Suturefly Read More »
A manifestation of twisted freedom and self-devouring depravity taken to their most horrific ends, the Abyss contains virtually uncountable numbers of fiends, perhaps bordering upon the infinite. But while its labyrinthine depths swim, choked by its fecund natives, its resident demons are not the only creatures hungering for blood and slaughter for their own sake.
Wayward Children of the Abyss (Part 1 of 5) Read More »
Continuing from last week’s lesser curse with more than 40 new minor curses: Loses all sense of hygiene Loses all sense of modesty Large warts (-1 charisma) Acquires a rare, but harmless, skin disease (-1 charisma) Drools constantly Stutters constantly Enlarged body part (e.g. ears, nose, chin, feet, hands) Becomes a pathological liar (will always
The Magic Circle: Lesser Curse (Part 2) Read More »
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