I've enjoyed playing and running the original Marvel Super Heroes RPG, a.k.a. FASERIP, for decades. Sadly there is no more official support for the system. But fortunately community love for the system is still growing strong on the internet. Advanced FASERIP, is just one readily available retro-clone freely for download.
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| Artwork copyright: Gerald Williams |
The Temple of the Threefold Eye, is an Adventure Seed meant to take place as a one shot scenario taking a few sessions, or can be dropped into a longer running campaign. It may not be used in a commercial product. Nor included in any collection or product without the express permission of the author, Gerald Williams.
Download The Lost Universe gameplay instructional booklet. HERE
Download the map of Aldastron to help you navigate through your adventure. HERE
Download and print The Lost Universe poster. HERE
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| Fighter using shield for Vigorous Defense |
Melee combat in Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) often feels mundane—a repetitive exchange of blows unless special abilities or spells come into play. But what if we could inject more depth and strategy into these encounters? In this article, we’ll explore voluntary maneuver modifiers that players can employ to elevate their melee attacks.
Voluntary Maneuver Modifiers
At the start of a combat round, players can declare specific maneuver modifiers for their attacks. These modifiers apply to all actions taken by the character throughout that round. However, they cannot be used for special abilities or attacks like Sneak Attack. Let’s delve into offense and defense:
Offense:
Damage Rolls: Enhance the impact of your strikes.
Defense:
Armor Class (AC): Determine how difficult it is for opponents, you directly face, to land hits on you.
Offensive / Defensive Modifiers
±0 Normal / ±0 Normal - Normal Melee
+1 Offense / -1 Defense - Risky Attack
+2 Offense / -2 Defense - Reckless Attack
-1 Offense / +1 Defense - Cautious Defense
-2 Offense / +2 Defense - Vigorous Defense
Remember, these voluntary maneuvers add tactical flavor to combat, allowing players to tailor their approach based on the situation. So, let’s break free from the mundane and make every swing count!
Example: Toral the Rat-Catcher, finds his escape route blocked by three guardsmen. He knows that if they dogpile him, he's done for. In desperation to rushes forwards with an all-out Reckless Attack, hoping to bring down the guard on his right, so that he can escape, with only one guard having a possible attack on him.. Assuming he incapacitates the guard he's rushing. (In this case Toral gets Advantage on his attack because of surprise.)
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| Jarl Ogren and Toral the Rat- Catcher |
In the realm of tabletop role-playing games, Game Masters (GMs) often find themselves in a familiar predicament. They meticulously introduce player characters (PCs) to a scene, describing the main non-player character (NPC) who awaits their interaction. Yet, much to the GM’s chagrin, the players frequently veer off course, drawn to some seemingly insignificant background NPC—the one hastily added as an afterthought. And, as if scripted, they insist on knowing the name and life story of this inconspicuous figure. Fear not, dear GMs, for this article shall address the former: the art of naming.
In my day-to-day work, I encounter individuals from diverse corners of the globe. Consequently, I maintain a running catalog of unique and unconventional names. This list remains within arm’s reach during game sessions, ready for swift deployment when an NPC requires identification. However, even armed with my trusty roster, I occasionally yearn for additional resources. Picture a quaint village nestled in the folds of history, where names resonate with shared cultural or ethnic origins—perhaps an enclave of Armenian-sounding appellations. For such scenarios, I turn to the following invaluable naming resources:
1. The Everyone Everywhere List - TEEL
As this blog has been active for several years, it's no surprise that some of the links and resources mentioned in past articles have become outdated. In the spirit of keeping our content fresh and relevant, I am currently in the process of reviewing and updating all of our articles.
This process includes fixing broken links, re-editing articles for clarity and accuracy, and in some cases, even re-writing articles to reflect changes in the industry or new information that has come to light. I understand that this can be a time-consuming process, and I appreciate your patience as we work to ensure that our blog remains a valuable resource for our readers.
My goal is to provide you with the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, and I believe that this ongoing effort to maintain the quality of our content is an important part of achieving that goal. Thank you for your continued support and interest in our blog.
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| Image created by Gerald Williams, using Blue Willow AI |
Name: Shroudwalker
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| Image created by Gerald Williams, using Blue Willow AI |
Abilities: The Shroudwalker possesses a range of supernatural abilities, including the power to manipulate shadows and darkness, move silently, and phase through solid objects. It can also summon spectral apparitions to attack its foes and drain the life force of those it touches.
Weaknesses: The Shroudwalker is vulnerable to bright light, which can disorient and weaken it. It also has a weakness to silver, which can harm and potentially kill it.
Motivations: The Shroudwalker is a malevolent creature that delights in causing fear and suffering. It preys on unsuspecting travelers, lurking in the shadows and striking when they least expect it. It has no qualms about killing its victims or enslaving them as spectral thralls.
Habitat: The Shroudwalker can be found in dark, abandoned places like graveyards, ruins, and haunted forests. It prefers places where it can move unnoticed and strike from the shadows.
Modus Operandi: The Shroudwalker is a stealthy hunter that relies on surprise and deception to catch its prey. It will often wait for its victims to enter its lair before attacking, using its powers to isolate and disorient them. Once it has incapacitated its prey, it will drain their life force or turn them into spectral thralls to serve its twisted desires.
Origins: The origins of the Shroudwalker are shrouded in mystery and may vary depending on the folklore or legend. However, one possible theory is that the Shroudwalker was once a human or a creature that was cursed or transformed by dark magic or demonic influence.
According to some legends, the Shroudwalker was once a mortal who made a pact with a demon or devil in exchange for power and immortality. The demon granted the mortal's wish but twisted their body and soul, transforming them into a monstrous being with a shroud-like cloak that conceals their true form.
Other legends suggest that the Shroudwalker is a restless spirit or a malevolent entity that was conjured or summoned by a powerful sorcerer or necromancer. The entity was bound to the sorcerer's will and tasked with carrying out their dark bidding.
In some folklore, the Shroudwalker is associated with death or the afterlife, and is said to be the manifestation of a vengeful ghost or a malevolent spirit that was once human. The spirit is said to have been transformed into a monstrous form by the rage and resentment that consumed it in life.
Overall, the precise origins of the Shroudwalker may vary, but the common thread is that it was created or transformed by dark forces and is now a malevolent and powerful entity that preys upon the living.
