Nightcrawlers Has Risen!

Holy crap, it's here! Nightcrawlers is now available for purchase in both PDF and print form (courtesy of Exalted Funeral!) 

This game has been in the works for almost three years, and I would like to thank everyone involved in its creation - especially Sally Cantirino, whose art really made the game come to life!

In the future, I hope to potentially make more content for the game or revisions/errata updates if needed.

Anyway, enough talking! Choose your storefront of choice and get to splatting!

Exalted Funeral

DriveThruRPG

itch.io

Coming Soon: Nightcrawlers!

I know it has been a while, but I have exciting news - my new game, Nightcrawlers, is getting published through Exalted Funeral!

Nightcrawlers is a splatterpunk roleplaying game in the style of Nightlife and Nightbane where you play as classic monsters fighting against corrupt cops, sanity-blasting monstrosities and other monsters that want to destroy humanity!

The system is based on the Black Hack and features 10 supernatural broods to play as, as well as a host of powers and tools for quick play!

The art is being done by the amazing Sally Cantirino, who has done art for great comics like I Walk With Monsters.

I am aiming for an October release, and the game is probably 90% done aside from art. It'll be available in print via Exalted Funeral and also via pdf.

Keep an eye out for more news, and maybe some previews! You can also check out my itch (tanneryea.itch.io) for an alpha version that's 100% free.

Keep it slimy!

Old School Essentials: Demi-Human Subraces

Old School Essentials is a really cool game, and I've been tinkering with it lately. Below, I thought I'd whip up some of the classic sub-races of AD&D demihumans. These are templates to lay over the races provided in OSE Advanced. Unless otherwise stated, most of the abilities are in addition to a race's standard abilities.

Dwarves

The common dwarf is called a "hill dwarf" and has the same abilities as a normal dwarf.

Mountain

Mountain dwarves are slightly taller and more long-lived than their hill dwarf cousins. Otherwise, they are the same as a hill dwarf. They can only reach level 9 as a Fighter

Elves

The common elf is called a "high elf" and has the same abilities as a normal elf.

Gray

Sometimes called "faerie" or "sidhe", gray elves are more mysterious and aloof than high elves. Instead of normal elven ability modifiers, they gain a +1 to Intelligence. They can reach level 12 as a Magic-User.

Wood

Sometimes called "sylvan elves", wood elves are reclusive and more in-tune with the natural world than high elves. Instead of normal elven ability modifiers, they gain a +1 to Strength and a -1 to Intelligence. They are able to speak Alignment, Common, Elvish, Treant, and the language of woodland mammals instead of normal elven languages. They can reach level 8 as a Fighter, but can only reach level 9 as a Magic-User.

Wild

Wild elves are almost primitive, even avoiding contact with other elves. Instead of normal elven ability modifiers, they gain a +2 to Strength. Wild elves can interact with animals as if the Animal Friendship spell was in effect. They also have a 90% chance to set snares, pits, and traps in a wilderness setting. They are able to speak Alignment, Common, and Elvish instead of normal elven languages. They can reach level 7 as a Druid, level 9 as a Fighter, and they can not be Magic-Users.

Halflings

The common halfling is called a "hairfoot" and has the same abilities as a normal halfling.

Stout

Stout halflings are stockier and smaller than hairfoot halflings. Stout halflings have infravision and can detect construction tricks like gnomes. They can speak Dwarven in addition to their other languages. Stout halflings can reach level 7 as a Fighter.

Tallfellow

Tallfellow halflings are thinner and taller than hairfoot halflings. They can speak Elven in addition to their other languages. Tallfellow halflings can reach level 8 as a Fighter.

Gnome

The common gnome is called a "hill gnome" and has the same abilities as a normal gnome.

Forest

Forest gnomes, as their name suggests, live in the forests of the world instead of underground. Instead of being able to detect construction tricks, forest gnomes have a 4-in-6 chance to blend in with wooded underbrush, effectively making them invisible. Instead of burrowing mammals, forest gnomes can speak with small, woodland animals such as foxes, squirrels, rabbits, mice, etc. They can reach level 7 as a druid, but can not be Clerics.

The Hero's Journey 1e: Gnome Race

Back with more The Hero's Journey stuff, and this time it's for the gnome! The gnome is actually based on the gnome from the second edition of THJ, which I heard from James Spahn was inspired by a draft for a gnome race for the first edition. These gnomes lean more towards the weird tinkerers/illusionists side of the race than anything.

The class level restrictions are somewhat shots-in-the-dark. If I get around to making an Illusionist class (not off the table, but I'd have to do spells), they'd get 10 levels in that instead of Wizard. Anyway, let me know what you think!

Gnome

Attribute	Dice Pool
Strength	2d6+1
Dexterity	3d6
Constitution	3d6
Intelligence	2d6+6
Willpower	3d6
Charisma	3d6
Appearance	3d6
Luck	3d6

Class	Level Limit
Acrobat	-
Assassin	4
Barbarian	-
Bard	7
Cavalier	4
Cleric	-
Druid	4
Duelist	7
Fighter	4
Jester	7
Monk	-
Paladin	-
Ranger	5
Thief	7
Wizard	10

Combat Curiosity: Gnomes are able to wield short blades and light crossbows, regardless of other class restrictions.

Illusionist: Gnomes are naturally skilled in illusions and deception. Up to three times per day, a Gnome can use the Phantasmal Force spell. This spell functions as if cast by a Level 1 Wizard.

Lifetime of Study: Because they have spent their life pursuing knowledge, all gnomes may use the Lore ability as if they were a 1st level bard. Gnomish bards receive a +1 to their Lore class ability. This ability cannot increase the Lore ability above 5

Instinctive Archaeologist: Gnomes have a sharp eye for ancient caverns, strange architecture, and crumbled ruins. They can detect secret or concealed doors, sloping stone passages, unusual stonecraft, and even large-scale mechanical constructs on a 1-2 on 1d6 simply by passing within 10 feet of them. This chance increases to 1-4 on 1d6 if they are actively searching for these things. In addition, gnomes can discern and operate large scale mechanical constructs and devices if they make a successful Lore check.

Hard To Hit: Gnomes receive a −2 [+2] bonus to their Armor Class due to their small size and quick reflexes. They also receive a +1 bonus “to-hit” when attacking foes which are man-sized or larger.

Dark Vision: Gnomes can see in starlight, moonlight, or perfect darkness at a distance of up to 90 feet.

The Hero's Journey 1e: Assassin Class

 James Spahn put out a great OSR game a few years ago called The Hero's Journey, and I love the thing. The newest edition of it is great too, but far more focused on Tolkien-esque adventures than traditional D&D stuff. 

The old edition has a ton of classes, but one I thought could be included: the Assassin! This is based on the Swords and Wizardry Complete version of the class, as well as taking some cues from the White Box Heroes fan supplement for Swords and Wizardry White Box. Let me know what you think!

Assassin

Level	XP	HD	BHB	ST	Thievery
1	0	1d6	+0	14	-
2	1,500	1d6	+0	13	-
3	3,000	1d6	+0	12	1
4	6,000	+2	+1	11	1
5	12,000	+1	+1	10	2
6	24,000	+2	+2	9	2
7	48,000	+1	+2	8	3
8	96,000	+2	+3	7	3
9	192,000	+1	+4	6	4
10	384,000	+2	+5	5	4

Requirements: Dexterity 8, Strength 8, Intelligence 8, Non-lawful Alignment

Level Limits: Dwarf 4, Elf 5, Half-Elf 7, Half-Orc 10, Human 10. Halflings can not be Assassins

Weapon/Armor Restrictions: Assassins are proficient, agile fighters when things go belly up. They can wield any weapon or shield, but they can only wear leather armor. 

Thievery (3rd): Starting at 3rd level, an Assassin can use the Thievery ability as a Thief of two levels lower. 

Disguise: Assassins are extremely proficient at disguise, more so than any other class. Anyone meeting the disguised Assassin has a 1-in-20 chance of seeing through the disguise (or 2-in-20 if disguised as someone of a different gender identity). 

Back Stab: Any time an Assassin attacks an opponent who is unaware of their presence, the Assassin receives a +2 bonus to their Base Hit Bonus. If the attack is successful, the Assassin doubles the damage rolled and ignores his target’s Reduction Value. 

Poison: Assassins are knowledgeable in the use of poisons. If an Assassin has access to poison, they have no risk of accidentally poisoning themselves when applying the poison to a weapon. 

Saving Throw: Assassins gain a +2 bonus on saving throws vs. death and poison. 

Establish Guild (9th): At 9th level, the Assassin may establish (or take over) a guild of Assassins. The guild need not be located in a large city, and can even be established as a barony in the wilderness. However, if the new guild is within the territory of an existing guild, there will unquestionably be a battle to the death between them. Assassins’ Guilds do not – ever – share their territory. An existing guild of Assassins will generally not accept the leadership of a new Guildmaster who does not claim that rank by killing the former Guildmaster.

XP Bonus for Dexterity: An Assassin with a Dexterity of 15 or higher receives a 5% bonus to all experience points earned.