5E Hack: Class Templates Part 4

Welcome back to my attempt to hack 5e character creation into something fast and rollable.  Barbarian, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Rogue, and Wizard class templates were mostly completed. They function as follows.

Class Templates

All classes have 6 templates. You may roll to determine or choose one from the list presented.
Templates functionally combine and replace Starting Skill Proficiencies, Starting Equipment and Backgrounds during character creation.
If your race provides a proficiency provided by your Template, you may replace one of the proficiencies in the template with a different one.

All Templates come with traveling basics

• A backpack/bag/sack
• A wineskin with alcohol or other liquid 
• A bedroll
• A mess kit 
• A tinderbox
• A day's rations (7) 
• 10 gold pieces 
• A light source (usually 6 torches or a hooded/bullseye lantern with 2 flasks of oil) 

Some templates include an animal. Unless marked by a “*” the animal has 1 hp and no concrete mechanical capabilities. Animals marked with a “*” can be found in the PHB

After selecting/rolling a template choose a discipline and toolkit for your character

• A Discipline includes a game set, artisan’s tools, or musical instrument; along with its accompanying proficiency.
• A Toolkit includes a Disguise kit, Forgery kit, Herbalism kit, Navigator’s tools, Poisoner’s kit, Land Vehicle or Water Vehicle Proficiency and the accompanying kit/tools (Land Vehicle Proficiency comes with a wagon, Sea Vehicle Proficiency comes with a rowboat).

Now completed and ready to roll on are the Monk and Ranger tables.

Monk Tables go by the following starting equipment template

• 1 Monk Weapon (Detailed)
• 1 Ranged Weapon
• Robe or monk outfit
• Musical Instrument or Artisan Tools
• A light source (6 torches or either kind of lantern with 2 flasks of oil)
• Flavor/fluff item (no clear mechanical use)
• Equipment (Clear mechanical use)
• 50’ of rope

Ranger Tables go by the following starting equipment template

• 1 ranged weapon w/ 20 arrows/bolts
• 2 simple weapons
• light/medium armor
• A light source (6 torches or either kind of lantern with 2 flasks of oil)
• Flavor/fluff item (no clear mechanical use)
• 2x Equipment (Clear mechanical use)
• 50ft of rope where applicable

Minor notes:

I have four classes left to complete before I can playtest the whole template situation. I'm trying to keep good notes on the starting equipment so I can make more templates in the future. Overall I've really been enjoying the process and hope it's something people can use in their game. 

Myconids of the Underdark

For my now completed D&D 5e Underdark game, I developed some fun setting specific player races. Here is the Myconid race available in my games. They make their home in the Rotted Expanse and two guest player had the pleasure of playtesting them to fun results.

Source

This race of sentient mobile fungi lives peaceful existences in the Underdark. They communicate through spores and are shown to be adept at magic despite a verbal language of their own.

Myconid Traits. Your myconid character has certain characteristics in common with all other myconid.

Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 2 and your Constitution score increases by 1.

Size. Myconids grow to 6 feet tall, weighing around 125 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of grey.

Speed. Your speed is 30 feet.

Age. Myconids given enough nutrients can easily survive centuries with the oldest among them becoming Sovereigns of their people.

Alignment. They tend towards lawful.

Sun Sickness. You become poisoned if you spend more than 1 minute in direct sunlight. This condition ends when you spend 1 minute in dim or dark conditions.

Cast without Words. You have no conventional language, however, your magical nature allows you to cast spells that require verbal components.

Rapport Spores. All creatures within 15 feet of you with an Intelligence of 2 or higher that aren't undead, constructs, or elementals can communicate telepathically with you and with each other. You don't need to share a language with the creature for it to understand your telepathic utterances, but the creature must be able to understand at least one language. You can suppress this ability at will.

Hallucinogenic Mastery. You know the Minor Illusion cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Blur spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a Long Rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the Phantasmal Force spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a Long Rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for these Spells.

Languages. You can read and write Undercommon. You cannot speak.

If you have any questions about playing a mushroom person let me know!

Secret Santicorn: Codpiece Crafting

So this holiday season I participated in the OSR Discord Server's Secret Santicorn Event. As per the lovely Rattlemayne's request I've taken to creating a nuanced codpiece crafting system, including enchantments. I'll be honest, codpiece crafting has never even entered into my consciousness as something to make but here I am and Merry Santicorn!

The codpiece began life as a piece of cloth that covered an underexposed area in men's Renaissance fashion, from there it was popular for 50 years in the 1500s as a thing to adorn and call attention to the crotch region. It was also a part of plate armor construction during the time period.

Portrait of Antonio Navagero (1565), oil on canvas, Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan, by Giovanni Battista Moroni

Moving into the realm of enchantable codpieces I present to you the following crafting system.

Materials

The first step of crafting a codpiece is the material construction. The higher quality the material the more powerful the possible enchantment

• Gourd: Old school, easy to decorate, cumbersome, and secured by a rope sling. A gourd codpiece can be made by the poorest farmers and offers no bonuses to enchantment rolls.

• Cloth: Dignified, available in many colors (mostly red), wicks away sweat and goes great with your favorite pair of hoses. A cloth codpiece requires a skilled hand to craft and provides a +2 bonus to enchantment rolls.

• Metal: Protective, usually part of a set of armor, terrible in hot climates, you'd think the armor would protect you but it usually just draws attention down there. A metal codpiece provides a +5 bonus to enchantment rolls.

• Giant Hide: Dangerous, can be made from any giant if you're industrious enough, it's usually worn to assert dominance. A giant hide codpiece provides a +7 bonus to enchantment rolls.

• Devil Hide: Positively brimming with sin, you probably shouldn't have this on hand, always blood-red and stains other clothes you wash it with. A devil hide codpiece provides a +10 bonus to enchantment rolls.

Enchantments

The second step of crafting a codpiece is the various enchantments that can be placed on it. You can enchant a codpiece a number of times equal to your Shame (Charisma Score - Wisdom Score). Having a negative Shame value means you're less inclined to wear a codpiece overall while having a Shame value of zero means you can wear a codpiece but you find the idea of enchanting them to be ostentatious at best.  

Roll 1d10+Enchantment Bonus

1. The codpiece performs its necessary function and covers up a vulnerable area and refuses magical enchantments. You don't have to roll drawbacks.

2. The codpiece tightens 1 hour before it rains.

3. The codpiece changes color based on your mood.

4. The codpiece can be activated to pull you due north. This effect lasts for 1 hour, can be used once a day.

5. The codpiece causes all flowers within 10ft of the wearer to bloom

6. The codpiece can magically store an entire weapon within. You can conjure it and store it with an appropriate double entendre.

7. The codpiece emits light like a lantern might. You can turn it on and off with a simple tap.

8. The codpiece can point toward the nearest bar/tavern/establishment to buy alcohol at.

9. The codpiece stiffens, allowing your voice to be projected and audible up to 1000ft.

10. The codpiece can discreetly record 4 hours of audio. On the side are buttons similar to that of a recorder.

11. The codpiece can be used to turn invisible for 10 minutes. The effect functions as long as you keep one hand on the codpiece.

12. The codpiece contains a fully functioning grappling hook and 50ft of rope. It is mounted in a way that doesn't tear off your trousers upon use.

13. The codpiece contains a considerable amount of either caltrops or ball bearings (your choice). You can unleash them at a moments notice.

14. The codpiece contains wisdom from the future. Once a day you can ask the codpiece a question about the future. It will answer with a good, bad, or mixed omen (usually by rising or falling).

15. The codpiece has an attachment that functions as a heavy crossbow with 20 bolts. It can be reloaded by removing the codpiece (this takes about 10 minutes).

16. The codpiece increases your strength magically. While wearing the codpiece your Strength score increases by 4

17. The codpiece allows you to increase your size to that of a giant once a day. Your new giant form has equivalent giant strength and increases damage from melee attacks by 4d4.

18. The codpiece can extend and works like a prehensile limb. It has a reach of 10ft and can manipulate objects dexterously. It can manipulate and attack with light weapons.

19. The codpiece increases your intelligence magically. While wearing the codpiece your Intelligence score increases by 4

20. The codpiece grants infernal resistances. You become immune to fire, acid and cold damage. While wearing it you gain knowledge of the languages of hell.

Drawbacks

The third step of crafting a codpiece is to understand that wearing an enchanted object so close to your crotch might have some unintended side effects. The codpiece gain drawbacks equal to its number of enchantments. Bonuses to enchantment rolls also affect drawback rolls.

Roll 1d10+Enchantment Bonus

1. The codpiece is a little tight, nothing major though.

2. The codpiece makes loud clanging noises whenever you drink liquids.

3. The codpiece painfully retracts inward when you hear lightning.

4. The codpiece shouts obscenities whenever you cough or clear your throat.

5. The codpiece slowly dyes all your clothing and armor a dull brown color

6. The codpiece sings bawdy songs about the sea and whatever handsome lady or gent happens to be nearby (it's in your voice).

7. The codpiece occasionally will disappear completely, leaving you smooth down there for about 1d4 hours.

8. The codpiece is way too hot and chafes nonstop.

9. The codpiece forces the wearer to speak in rhyme. Not doing so deals 1d4 psychic damage.

10. The codpiece causes the hair on your head to grow down to your ankles, this hair can't be cut by mundane means and causes you to trip constantly.

11. The codpiece causes all wild beasts to instinctively hate you while you wear it.

12. The codpiece can't be removed except by a spell that would remove a curse

13. The codpiece collects static electricity as you move, zapping you for 1d6 damage for every 120ft of movement you take

14. The codpiece chills you to the bone, you are always cold and take double damage from cold-based attacks.

15. The codpiece traps your soul within it if you die. You cannot be resurrected.

16. The codpiece grows a tiny face on the material. The face can't stop talking (making stealth impossible for you) and bites anything nearby for 1d6 damage

17. The codpiece can't be worn with any other armor or clothing. All attempts to do so cause the armor and clothing to fly off.

18. The codpiece magically labels you the greatest duelist in all the land and the greatest cheater in all the land. Duelists will try to duel you on sight, gambling houses will deny you entry, and agents of the law know you by name and would benefit from your capture

19. The codpiece summons a powerful devil when worn. This devil will not act against you directly but will take every opportunity to spread lies about you and make your life miserable

20. The codpiece is very sticky and cannot be removed. Anything that touches it becomes adhered to its surface. When completely cover with objects/creatures the stickiness wears off and becomes a potent acid that deals 4d10 damage to all objects/creatures attached to the codpiece


The Bogeyman's cave did my prompt for locales in Ke'Sik here.

5E Hack: Class Templates Part 3

Welcome back to my attempt to hack 5e character creation into something fast and rollable.  Barbarian, Cleric, Fighter, Rogue, and Wizard class templates were mostly completed. Since we last visited them I have added a basis for the templates that works as follows.

Class Templates

All classes have 6 templates. You may roll to determine or choose one from the list presented.
Templates functionally combine and replace Starting Skill Proficiencies, Starting Equipment and Backgrounds during character creation.
If your race provides a proficiency provided by your Template, you may replace one of the proficiencies in the template with a different one.

All Templates come with traveling basics

• A backpack/bag/sack
• A wineskin with alcohol or other liquid 
• A bedroll
• A mess kit 
• A tinderbox
• A day's rations (7) 
• 10 gold pieces 
• A light source (usually 6 torches or a hooded/bullseye lantern with 2 flasks of oil) 

Some templates include an animal. Unless marked by a “*” the animal has 1 hp and no concrete mechanical capabilities. Animals marked with a “*” can be found in the PHB

After selecting/rolling a template choose a discipline and toolkit for your character

• A Discipline includes a game set, artisan’s tools, or musical instrument; along with its accompanying proficiency.
• A Toolkit includes a Disguise kit, Forgery kit, Herbalism kit, Navigator’s tools, Poisoner’s kit, Land Vehicle or Water Vehicle Proficiency and the accompanying kit/tools (Land Vehicle Proficiency comes with a wagon, Sea Vehicle Proficiency comes with a rowboat). 

Now that the traveling basics are covered before the actual tables, they will no longer be included in the starting equipment portion. I will be updating the previously posted tables to fit the new format in a pdf document in the future. For now, enjoy the table for druid I have retrieved from the wilds.

Druid

I am a fan of the new look, It wastes less space on survival essentials and lets the specific flavorful stuff stick out more. Raised by Wolves and Stormborn, in particular, are my favorites.

Starting Equipment Includes: 

• Druidic focus
• Melee weapon
• Armor (Light) with a thematic cloak
• A light source (6 torches or either kind of lantern with 2 flasks of oil)
• Flavor/fluff item (no clear mechanical use)
• Equipment (Clear mechanical use)
• Herbalism Kit (All druids have herbalism kit proficiency)

Coming soon to this blog are the ranger and monk tables chock full of evocative templates like fur trapper and wandering poet.

5E Hack: Class Templates Part 2

This post documents one of my proposed D&D 5E Hacks, The Class Template. It includes Proficiencies, Starting Equipment, and Backgrounds into an easy to parse 1d6 table. Part 1 included the Barbarian and an explanation for the Templates use in character creation. Part 2 has the 4 Classic Classes (Cleric, Fighter, Rogue, Wizard) and the notes I used to fill in their starting inventory.

Cleric

Cleric was a fun one to put together. The most important thing to include in a cleric template I felt was a unique holy symbol. While players are free to change how their holy symbol looks, having a unique one for each template gives them more personality. My favorite would probably be Wild-Eyed Doomsayer. 

Starting Equipment Includes:

Melee weapon

Shield/ranged weapon

Armor (light or medium/heavy)

Holy symbol (with detail)

Bag of some sort

A light source (6 torches or either kind of lantern with 2 flasks of oil)

Holy text (no clear mechanical use)

Clerical Equipment (clear mechanical use)

Wineskin and liquid

50ft of rope if the template is military or dungeoneer focused

Tinderbox, rations (7 days), 10 gp

Exceptions based on the template

Fighter

The fighter as it stands shares templates with the Barbarian. The three that are shared (Sea Rover, Monster Tracker, and Steppe Nomad) tended to be well equipped enough to function as fighters. As a minor note 3 of the 6 templates feature an animal of some sort. While the Corsair's parrot serves as more a 1 hp pet with little to no mechanical benefits, the Sea Rover and Steppe Nomad feature animals that classically have stat blocks. I am considering dropping these animals for future iterations but for now, they stick around. Of the six templates, Corsair is my favorite. 

Starting Equipment Includes

2 Melee Weapons

1 Ranged Weapon

Shield

Armor (Light/Medium)

Bag of some sort

A light source (6 torches or either kind of lantern with 2 flasks of oil)

Flavor/fluff item (no clear mechanical use)

Equipment (clear mechanical use)

Wineskin and liquid

50ft of rope if the template is military or dungeoneer focused

Tinderbox, rations (7 days), 10 gp

Possible exceptions based on the template

Rogue

Rogue has the most skill proficiencies to work with as well as an auto-included proficiency in thieves' tools. I'm still on the fence about matching this amount of proficiencies in Bard so be on the lookout for that update. Rogue has the most starting nonweapon equipment to work with as befitting of their station and Duelist for Hire is probably my favorite out of the lot.

Starting Equipment Includes

2 Weapons

Leather armor

Thieves’ tools

Bag of some sort

A light source (6 torches or either kind of lantern with 2 flasks of oil)

Flavor/fluff item (no clear mechanical use)

3 Equipment (clear mechanical use)

Wineskin and liquid

50ft of rope

Tinderbox, rations (7 days), 10 gp

Possible exceptions based on the template

Wizard

Wizards have the usual 4 proficiencies with an auto-included arcana proficiency. Every wizard also includes a unique spellbook and focus They have access to less equipment overall but that may change in future updates. Sylvan Ambassador is my favorite wizard template out of the six as it leads into a more fey/illusion aesthetic.

Starting Equipment Includes:

Spellbook

Focus

Bag of some sort

A light source (6 torches or either kind of lantern with 2 flasks of oil)

Simple melee weapon

Simple ranged weapon

Flavor item (no clear mechanical use)

Wineskin and liquid

50ft of rope if the template is military or dungeoneer focused

Tinderbox, rations (7 days), 10 gp

Exceptions based on the template

With the 4 Classic Classes completed, my next goal is to venture into the wilds and return with templates for Druid and Ranger. I'll of course update any of the previous tables with any changes I make. Until then I hope you can use these at your table for some quick character generation.

5E Hack: Class Templates Part 1

At this point, it is fairly obvious I play D&D 5e and maybe less obvious that I think character creation is a huge chore. To remedy this I present Class Templates, put together by discord user @Jojiro#7209 and myself.

The Class Templates combine Proficiencies, Starting Equipment and Backgrounds for the player to roll or choose from on a 1d6 table. Currently Barbarian, Cleric, Fighter, Rogue, and Wizard are completed. The Barbarian Template was a test case but as written you could roll a classic D&D party and have your 1st level character halfway done within 5 minutes. Below is the Barbarian Template.

I decided on Athletics Proficiency as an auto-include due to all the benefits from Barbarian Rage. There is some overlap between the Barbarian and the Fighter, particularly with Sea Rover, Monster Tracker, and Steppe Nomad. I intend to update and specialize them in the future but for now, they serve as an interesting template for both.

I've also included some notes on filling in the Starting Equipment

Starting Equipment Includes
2 Melee Weapons
1 Ranged Weapon
Shield
Armor (Light/Medium)
A bag of some sort
A light source (6 torches or either kind of lantern with 2 flasks of oil)
Flavor/fluff item (no clear mechanical use)
Equipment (Clear mechanical use)
Wineskin and liquid
50ft of rope if the template is military or dungeoneer focused
Tinderbox, rations (7 days), 10 gp
Possible exceptions based on the template

The overall goal is to cut down on character creation time for new players or players in a high lethality 5e game. In my follow up post I'll include the 4 Classic Classes and their Equipment notes.

Worldbuilding: Ke'Sik, the Red Faithful (Part 1)

Players adventuring in Ke'sik will find a cold and silent place. A valley full of grey trees and masked men in red. The jarls of the North all agreed to not attempt to conquer the valley, lest provoke the strange people who live within. Some jarls secretly wish to despite the warnings, the people of Ke'sik once conquered the whole of the North and hold old treasure presumed lost forever.

Source

The origins of Ke'Sik began with some dope art from Josh Corpuz. Their face was hidden, their weapons glow and their theming was top notch. Ke'sik as an adventuring location emerged from my need to give them a home that could culturally explain looking like a badass in red.

Prehistory

 Ke'sik started as an unheard of northern tribe. The first people of Ke'sik dyed their clothes red with the sap of a dark grey tree and wore simple masks that obscured the face. Riding upon their great tusked beasts of war they made many neighboring tribes bend the knee. They would raze enemy settlements to the ground and on each slain foe they planted a seed of the dark grey tree with red sap. Before long they had conquered a whole valley and were constrained only by the mountains that surrounded them.

Source

Dawning Age

While other places on the continent were still discovering the secrets of metal and magic, the first people of Ke'sik were learning more about their great ritual tree. By now the whole valley was filled with them. and some had grown alcoves that shone a dull red. The shaman of the first people heard the signs. Their forest could grow beyond the mountains if but a few were given to the trees. "The bark would be their mother and the sap would be their milk. Give your children to the trees. May their bellies be full of the vigor of youth." The first people obeyed her edict and placed the children in the dull red alcoves. Creatures began to emerge from the forests, they paced and moved like powerful predators crafted from red tree bark. They lacked heads at first but over time the people saw their children emerge from the monstrous torso. The red worshipped their children for the forest had made them beautiful and strong. The shaman commanded these children of the forest to gather to her, for conquest was at hand. She named them "The Raudr."

Source

The Raudr are still around today in the North. There exist pockets of the dark grey trees that weren't torched by great armies and people who cling to the old monstrous faith. The type of Raudr depends on the birth order of the child sacrificed to the dark grey tree. All are by the usual estimation centaur-like with the bestial part being made of dark red bark and the human part being covered intermittently by this bark. All Raudr are born with a mask of silvery metal covering their face. All Raudr are violent and hungry. When they die a dark grey tree grows from their corpse after 7 days unless immolated.

1. A First Born creates the Raudr Gungir. It has the lower body of a dragon and the human elements of an old wizened man. It speaks in murmuring warnings about the future and can manipulate the bones of the living and dead.
2. A Second Born creates the Raudr Gram. It has the lower body of a many-legged wyrm and the torso and the human elements of an elderly woman. Its breath creates connected portals and its voice sounds like gravel being sifted.
3. A Third Born creates the Raudr Tyrfing. It has the lower body of a stag and the human elements of a young woman with silver hair. It can boil the blood of men and beast alike. To allies this is a boon, to enemies it drives them mad. It makes a faint sobbing sound rather than speak.
4. A Fourth/Fifth/Sixth Born creates a Raudr Forseti. It has the lower body of a muscular drake and the human elements of a young man/woman with short blond hair. It is natural skilled at weapons of war and has a voice like a bellowing horn.
5. A Seventh Born creates a Raudr Hrotti. It has the lower body of a fat toad and the upper body of a beautiful young man. It sounds like sweet dreams and spider silk and can steal shadows.
6. A Child beyond the Seventh creates a Raudr Stillborn. It has the body of a lithe drake and has only the atrophied face of an angelic babe as its human element. It has no voice and creates an aura of silence in its wake.