Start of 2017: Projects in the Works

As is traditional, I thought I'd write a short post mentioning the various RPG-related projects that I have in the works for the coming year:

• I've finally started a proper campaign set in Dolmenwood! Previously, I've just run odd one-shots and side-adventures in the forest, but my latest campaign is set firmly within the its bounds. I'm running Barrowmaze, which I've situated in the middle of Dolmenwood, as the "tent-pole" for the campaign, but plan on introducing various other side-quests and complications to involve the players in the wider wood.
• I'm play-testing the first in the Dolmenwood Adventures line -- a 5th level adventure code-named "Wormwood Falls", written by myself and Greg Gorgonmilk. We've had one session so far which was a lot of fun. The adventure features a lot of very weird, psychedelic stuff and I was happy to see that it played out really well, in practice. The second session is in a few weeks. The adventure is going to be illustrated by Andrew Walter and should be out in early spring. Full colour, A5, around 50 pages, maybe hardcover and softcover options.
• Following on from that, the second Dolmenwood Adventures module is beginning to coalesce. Tentatively, it will be a 1st level adventure written by myself and Yves Geens and may involve fairies. Publication date unknown.
• Continuing the Dolmenwood theme (clearly, much of my gaming life is dominated by the setting now!), issue five of Wormskin is nearing completion for a tentative February release. This issue reveals much about the Drune, who have remained stubbornly mysterious until now.
• I also plan to publish a short "Welcome to Dolmenwood" guide, containing a brief introduction to the setting, a gazeteer, and descriptions of some of the main factions. This will act as a great starting point for anyone interested in Dolmenwood. Should be out in Jan/Feb. Probably a free download.
• Onto other things... My Complete Illusionist project is coming along nicely. I have a few dozen spells to write up still and am awaiting some contributions from other people, but it's looking like a 2017 release of the book is pretty feasible. Illustrators as yet undetermined.
• Another small project which I have on the go is a series of print-at-home booklets to speed the creation of wizardly PCs. The first booklet in the series is quite far along, so more info on that coming soon.
• Last but not least, I have the long overdue B/X Warrior. Honestly, I go back and forth on the concept a bit -- the mechanical aspects don't fit quite as naturally as they did with the thief/rogue archetype. However, the book is 95% written, so I just need to put the finishing touches to it and it will be done.

The Complete Illusionist: Work-in-Progress Spell List

Work on my next big project, The Complete Illusionist (which popped out of nowhere, quite unexpectedly), has been progressing rather well. I'm still in the stage of collating a lot of ideas for spells of different levels and trying to build up the spell lists. Adding to the base illusionist class in the Labyrinth Lord AEC, I've been doing OGL write-ups of the illusionist spells from AD&D Unearthed Arcana. I also have quite a number of interesting submissions from other people now, following my recent call out. All in all, it's looking like I should have a very nicely rounded out spell list in the final book.

Just out of interest, here are the lists so far. These only include spells which I actually have a full write-up of. I have lots more to write up and put in place. I also need to read through many of the submissions still and decide which fit.

1st level

1. Auditory Illusion
2. Color Spray
3. Dancing Lights
4. Darkness Globe
5. Detect Illusion
6. Detect Invisibility
7. Doppelganger
8. Hypnotism
9. Light
10. Phantasmal Force
11. Refraction
12. Wall of Vapor
13. Glamour
14. Invisibility, Lesser
15. Lost and Found
16. Script Codex
17. Spook
18. Discernment of Pyschic Location
19. Evoke Nightmare
20. Semblance of Wakefulness
21. Sweet Dreams
22. Wizard Mark
23. Faerie Fire
24. Uncontrollable Hideous Laughter
25. Brilliant Pattern
26. False Script
27. Phantom Armour
28. Silent Image
29. Chromatic Orb
30. Hush

2nd level

1. Blindness
2. Blur
3. Deafness
4. Detect Magic
5. Fog Cloud
6. Hypnotic Pattern
7. Invisibility
8. Magic Mouth
9. Mirror Image
10. Misdirection
11. Phantasmal Force, Greater
12. Ventriloquism
13. Sound Codex
14. Light Codex
15. Somnambulism
16. Vapours of Dream
17. Imaginary Companion
18. Whisper Thief
19. Whispering Wind
20. Darkvision
21. Pyrotechnics
22. Fool's gold 
23. Fascinate
24. Amnesia

3rd level

1. Continual Light (reversible)
2. Dispel Phantasm
3. Fear
4. Hallucinatory Terrain
5. Illusory Script
6. Invisibility 10' Radius
7. Nondetection
8. Paralyze
9. Rope Trick
10. Spectral Force
11. Suggestion
12. Full Codex
13. Energy Reflection
14. Dreamspell
15. Black Light
16. Semblance of Life
17. Phantom Steed
18. Doppelganger, Improved
19. Wraithform
20. Enthrall
21. Lost
22. Deadly Darkness

4th level

1. Confusion
2. Illusory Stamina
3. Implant Emotion
4. Invisibility, Greater
5. Massmorph
6. Minor Creation
7. Phantasmal Killer
8. Phantasmal Monsters
9. Solid Fog
10. Looking Glass
11. Shared Dream
12. Masque
13. Illicit Dream Projection
14. Lonely Road
15. Menioth's Instant Light

5th level

1. Confusion, Greater
2. Major Creation
3. Maze
4. Phantasmal Door
5. Phantasmal Monsters, Greater
6. Project Image
7. Shadow Evocation
8. Summon Shadow
9. Time Flow
10. Hyperreal Awakening
11. Many Worlds, Many Lives
12. Phantom Summons
13. Overlook
14. Shadow Servitor
15. Phantom Palanquin

6th level

1. Conjure Animals
2. Phantasmal Monsters, Advanced
3. Shadow Evocation, Greater
4. Spectral Force, Permanent
5. Spectral Force, Programmed
6. Suggestion, Mass
7. True Seeing
8. Veil
9. Through the Looking Glass
10. Curse of Sleeplessness
11. Psychic Cache
12. Persistent Dream

7th level

1. Astral Spell
2. Limited Wish
3. Prismatic Spray
4. Prismatic Wall
5. Vision
6. Phantasm of Forgetting
7. Dreaming
8. Spell Reflection
9. Unreal 
10. Phantasmal Resurrection
11. Duo-Dimension
12. Animated Artwork
13. Simulacrum
14. Doppelganger, Greater

8th level

1. Prismatic Sphere
2. Memorium
3. Figment
4. Illusory Abode
5. Pathless Land
6. Mirror Image, Advanced
7. Prismatic Beam
8. Black Clouds

9th level

1. Alter Reality
2. Dream Travel
3. Weird
4. Mists of Madness
5. Upper Hand
6. Viral Phantasm
7. Doppelganger, True

Updated Illusionist Spell: Chromatic Orb

This spell was featured in the expanded illusionist spell list in AD&D Unearthed Arcana. I like the effects, but it's always struck me as weirdly balanced: almost useless at low levels and very powerful at high levels. This isn't a feature I'm fond of, so, as part of the work on my Complete Illusionist, I decided to try to come up with a version more to my taste. Here you go:

Chromatic Orb

Level: 1

Duration: Instant

Range: 60’

Cost: 25gp - 1,000gp (gem of appropriate colour)

This spell harnesses and amplifies the pure hue and intrinsic properties of a gemstone, which must be in the illusionist’s possession. Light is conjured in the heart of the stone, refracted, and amplified, conjuring an orb of pure colour in the illusionist’s hand. The orb may be hurled at an opponent within range, requiring a normal attack roll, with a +2 bonus. If the orb misses, it dissolves without effect. Otherwise, the orb inflicts damage on the target and another effect depending on its colour. The illusionist may conjure an orb of one of the following colours, depending on his experience level:

Level	Colour	Damage	Effect	Gem Value
1st or greater	Pearlescent	1d4	Light	25gp
2nd or greater	Ruby	1d6	Heat	25gp
3rd or greater	Flame	1d8	Fire	25gp
4th or greater	Amber	1d10	Blindness	250gp
5th or greater	Emerald	1d12	Stench	250gp
6th or greater	Turquoise	2d8	Magnetism	250gp
7th or greater	Sapphire	2d4	Paralysis	250gp
10th or greater	Amethyst	None	Petrification	1,000gp
12th or greater	Ashen	None	Death	1,000gp

The gemstone must be of at least the value listed and must be of an appropriate hue. It is consumed by the spell.

Chromatic orb effects:

• Light: Light in a 60’ radius for one round per caster level.
• Heat: If the target fails a save versus spells, they suffer -1 to attacks and AC for one round. The heat of the ruby orb may also be used to melt ice -- up a cubic yard.
• Fire: All flammable objects within 2’ of the target are set alight. If the target fails a save versus spells, flammable objects (e.g. clothing, hair, etc) on its person are also set alight. This inflicts 1d3 damage for three rounds, unless the target spends a round extinguishing the flames.
• Blindness: The target is blinded for 1d4+4 rounds, unless it makes a saving throw versus spells.
• Stench: A 5’ radius cloud of stinking vapours erupts around the target. Any within the cloud (including the target) must save versus poison or be overcome with nausea -- unable to act except to move at half movement rate. Once leaving the cloud, the nausea subsides after 1d4 rounds. The cloud is permanent but usually disperses after one turn.
• Magnetism: The electrical energy of the orb strongly magnetizes any metal objects on the target (e.g. armour, weapons) unless a save versus spells is made. The magnetic charge lasts for 3d4 rounds and causes metal objects to stick together, typically making attacking impossible and causing a -2 penalty to AC.
• Paralysis: Unless a save versus paralysis is made, the target is paralysed for 5d4 rounds.
• Petrification: The target must save versus petrification. Failure means that it turns permanently to stone. Success means that the target is slowed for 2d4 rounds -- only able to move at half the normal rate and attack or cast spells every other round.
• Death: The target must save versus death. Failure means that it dies instantly. Success means that it is paralysed for 1d4 rounds.

New Vivimancer Spell: Divide Ancestry

Want to rid yourself or your friend of that embarrassing goblin heritage? Not averse to murder? Then try this vivimantic procedure!

Divide Ancestry
Level: 4
Range: Touch
Duration: Instant
Casting Time: 1 day
Cost: 150gp (drugs)

Cast upon a creature of half-race (e.g. a half-elf, half-goat, half-goblin, etc), this unusual procedure causes the subject's body to split permanently into two halves: one pure-blooded being of each parent race. The resulting beings are fully independent and begin their divided existence with identical memories and mental faculties, though the former diverge immediately -- there is no telepathic bond between them. Any talents related to one side of the ancestry are possessed only by the corresponding being.

During the procedure, the subject must be kept under the influence of deeply soporific drugs to the value of 150gp.

Wormskin Sale! / Issue Four PDF

For anyone who has heard rumours about Dolmenwood -- the weird fairytale woodland setting spawned from the brains of myself and Greg Gorgonmilk -- now is a great time to get into it.

The first three issues of the Dolmenwood zine, Wormskin, are on sale. A mere $1.99 for the PDFs and $4.99 for the print + PDF combos. A steal.

Also: issue four is just out! (PDF only for now. Print edition coming in a few weeks.)

The Complete Illusionist? (Plus New Spell: Unreal)

Since I started collating the illusionist spells that I've developed over the last few years and discovered that they number "quite a few", I've not been able to stop thinking about doing a proper Complete Illusionist book. I've looked at the spell lists and it looks like I actually only need a couple of dozen spells more in order to reach a nice number of spells per level. (I'm looking at 30, 24, 24, 18, 18, 18, 12, 8, 8 -- from 1st to 9th level.) Seems eminently doable! So, two things:

Firstly, call for contributors! If you have some new illusionist spells written up, send them my way! (Either to the email address in the sidebar of the blog or in g+.) I'm especially looking for spells of level 3 or above, up to ninth level.

If I include a contributed spell in the book, you'll be credited and I'll send you a free copy of the PDF. If someone sends me loads of spells that I'm into and I include four or more in the book, I'll also send you a print copy.

Get those illusionist thinking caps on! (Fez's I suppose.)

Secondly, here's a new spell:

Unreal
Level: 8
Duration: Permanent or 1 turn per level
Range: 60’

Rather than creating an illusion of a something real, this spell creates an illusion from something real. A non-living, non-magical object of up to 10’ cube in size or a single creature may be affected. A creature may save versus spells to resist.

If the spell successfully takes effect, the target ceases to be real, becoming an illusion of itself. It may be seen, heard, smelt, etc, but is completely intangible. For example, a solid section of wall made unreal may be passed through, though it appears solid; a person made unreal continues to act freely, but cannot physically interact with anything.

Objects targeted by this spell become permanently illusionary. Targeted creatures return to their normal state after one turn per level of the caster.

New Illusionist Spell: Imaginary Companion

This spell popped into my head just after waking this morning. Illusionists have been on my mind a bit, recently, as I recently started collating all of the expanded illusionist material which I have -- some from the original Theorems & Thaumaturgy and some as-yet unpublished spells -- and discovered that I have a total of 48 new illusionist spells. I've always wanted to do a proper expanded illusionist class, so this might be the catalyst.

Imaginary Companion

Level: 2

Duration: Permanent

Range: 0

Casting Time: 8 hours

Cost: 100gp

Inhaling the smoke of a mixture of rare, psychoactive herbs (cost 100gp), the illusionist falls into a deep sleep lasting for 8 hours. During this slumber, the illusionist’s spirit wanders in distant regions of dream where denizens of the Dreamlands may be contacted. The illusionist experiences a dream of great vividity and significance, wherein he encounters a kindred spirit in the dream world and enters into a soul-binding pact with it. Upon waking, the presence of the dream spirit remains with the illusionist at all times. The illusionist can see and speak with the dream spirit as if it were physically present. The entity cannot, however, normally be perceived by others. Thus, depending on how openly the illusionist interacts with the dream spirit, others may be led to question his sanity.

Despite being normally imperceptible to others, the imaginary companion is, in fact, semi-real and should be treated as an NPC companion of the illusionist, present wherever he goes. It is able to interact with the physical world as follows:

• The imaginary companion may freely interact with inanimate objects, having the force to carry up to 20lbs or drag up to 40lbs (equivalent to a STR rating of 3). Any who witness the companion interacting with objects may save versus spells. Failure indicates that the companion becomes faintly visible.
• If directed to interact with a living creature, the target may save versus spells. If the save succeeds, the imaginary companion is not able to interact with the target. If the save fails, the target becomes faintly aware of the dream spirit and two-way interaction is possible.
• Creatures which can see invisible and the like are always aware of an imaginary companion, though may save, as above, to prevent it from interacting with them.
• The companion has an Armour Class of 7, 2d4 hit points, and an attack doing 1d3 damage. It may be damaged by non-living forces (fire, cold, crushing, etc) and by any living creature who is aware of it (see above).
• It has a movement rate of 90’ (30’), either walking or flying up to 10’ above the ground. The companion may not move more than 90’ away from the illusionist. If forced to do so, it suffers 1d4 damage and disappears entirely, reappearing only after the illusionist gets a night’s sleep.

The nature of the soul-connection between the illusionist and the imaginary companion is such that the illusionist’s hit point maximum is increased by the number of hit points the companion has. However, if the companion dies, the illusionist instantly and permanently loses these additional hit points.

Many types of dream spirit may be summoned by this spell to become the illusionist’s imaginary companion. In the waking world, they are typically intelligent entities of human size or smaller with capricious, mischievous, or contrary personalities. The following chart provides some ideas, but many more creatures are possible.

1. A small cat with swirling, yellow/purple eyes and violet fur.
2. A transparent owl, apparently made of crystal.
3. An opposite-sex replica of the caster.
4. A miniature, creeping bear with human mouth and hands.
5. A slender, albino child.
6. A miniature, black wyvern.