Tag: Roleplay

Rolling Word Play – 20

Creating Roleplay ideas based on randomly generated words.  Here’s today’s selection.  Discover more about Robed Prosecutors, Ribs Ringleader and Professes Started.

Robed Prosecutors
The robed prosecutors of Ashuln are both revered and feared for their devotion and lawful powers granted to them by the city-state whenever they wear their formal robes.  But recently, another figure dressed as a prosecutor has been targeting the other law-makers.  Who is this figure and what do they want?  How far are they prepared to go to deal out their brand of vigilante justice?

Ribs Ringleader
A Bone Doctor is not just a medical practitioner but someone who can wield the arcane to manipulate bones and bend them to their will.  This specialist skill starts with carrying out experiments with bones from a corpse. They can learn to alter their shape to sharpen them and use them as flexible weapons.  They can also mend the bone fragments.  Once this is achieved they can manipulate their own bones, fixing damage sustained and even temporarily dislocate in order to squeeze out of a tight situation. As they advance they can move the bones through air using only the power of their magical connection with them.  A highly skilled Bone Doctor can even manipulate other creatures’ bones, causing damage and controlling their movement.

Professes Started
An item that is in the form of incense. In its presence, those that are not aware find themselves professing truths and internal thoughts.  The effect comes in three stages, without the creature knowing that they are communicating personal information.

Stage 1 – Say out loud how they’re feeling – DC 12 Charisma save Stage 2 – Say what’s on their mind/what they’re thinking – DC 14 Charisma sav Stage 3 – Confess the deeds and guilty acts they have commited – DC 16 Charisma save

Rolling Word Play – 18

Creating Roleplay ideas based on randomly generated words.  Here’s today’s selection.  Discover more about Rallies Swings, Events Tilting and Reserved Sawdust.

Rallies Swings
The thieves guild has an assault course that tests their agility and ability to work together.  New initiates have to wait till at least four creatures are ready to join the guild before they’ll be considered.  They must then take the assault course together by each completing a lap of the course with a bundle of goods (represented by a sack of stones) and passing it onto the next initiate.  Failure can be very costly as there are not only dogs chasing the runners but also swinging weaponry to dodge and walls to climb.  Those that get hit by the assault course obstacles can become crippled for life or even die.

Events Tilting
Ambal’s Trembling Disk is a very powerful magical item.  Its size makes it very distinguishable as is it has the appearance of a black rock and so heavy that it uses a four-legged stand, making it a similar size to a desk. The central-top area of the disk is separate from the outside.  In shape, this central area is flat and then curves into a ball at the bottom.  A skilled magic user who has taken time to master the device can project a visible area of land up to 300 ft. onto the disk and start physically moving the central part of the disk up, down and around.  This causes the chosen area of land to do the same, affecting any creatures or buildings in that area as if hit by an earthquake.  It has been used in city defence and even carried into battle warfare before.  But where is it now?

Reserved Sawdust
In the Gamalen Forest, the wood lives on beyond the death of the tree.  This wood attempts to protect the soil beneath by crawling worm-like on the ground and find the best place for it to finally decompose.  One clever entrepreneur realised that if the wood is taken from the forest, it can have other uses.  Reserved Sawdust is a thieves’ favourite tool to cover their tracks as when dropped on the ground it looks for damp patches to cover and divots to fill.  Before long, the ground looks as if no one walked there at all.

Rolling Word Play – 17

Creating Roleplay ideas based on randomly generated words.  Here’s today’s selection.  Discover more about Extremely Parenthood, Pampering Caves and Translate Servants.

Extremely Parenthood
The Basin of Innocence if a profound place, which includes many items of curiosity as well as some wondrous magical items.  The feeling when entering is hard to avoid, however and affects the whole body.  It is a squeezing, popping sensation as if sucked through a worm hole whilst flying at high altitude.   Those who are swept up in that feeling (the equivalent of failing a Wisdom saving throw in D&D 5e) become very young versions of themselves.  Roll 1d6 +6 to determine their new age.  Now, best try and retrieve the object they came there for (if they can still remember) and find a way out.  The age effects last for 1d6 days after leaving the Basin.

Pampering Caves
The Doljer Hills have an extensive network of caves and hot springs, which attracts many travellers and rich aristocrats with ailments, who flock to the bath houses to be pampered and revived whilst enjoying extensive views of the plains below.  But those that do make the journey must make sure they go to the right caves, for there are also many faux bath houses.  Many travellers have found themselves in bath houses run by bandits, who store stolen goods further inside the cave complex, and also bath houses of ill repute for other activities.  Which will your adventurers discover?  How far into the cave complex do they wish to go?

Translate Servants
The Fellowship House is a bastion of civilized society, where ideas are shared, the ways of the world debated and much feasting is had.  But it is built on the back of slavery, much of which has been imported for labour. However, there is a plot underway by the servants to overthrow their masters.  Will their plot be translated in time, and if so, whose side will the adventurers take?

Rolling Word Play – 13

Creating Roleplay ideas based on randomly generated words.  Here’s today’s selection.  Discover more about Petal Rafters, Organ Jive and Postponing Jeers.

Petal Rafters
A fey retreat for weary travellers to be revived in a number of different ways.  Although housed in an average-looking tavern, clients are escorted up a narrow staircase and into a forest scene.  the upstairs has been transformed to look like a forest glade and the floor consists of flower petals, which are soft on the feet but solid to walk on.  Any actions that the fey workers deem inappropriate however, and the floor gives way underneath the naughty traveller’s feet, either trapping them in a petal bind or letting them drop to the floor below.

What is beneath the petal floor?  Is the city aware of what goes on in this building?

Organ Jive
The mightiest known organ known in all the kingdoms has to be the Jive Organ, belonging to the Mountain Dwarves of Jive.  This colossal organ is formed from the very mountain in which it was built, using both natural and dwarf-engineered vents to move the air effectively. It is not only a way of heralding news and calling workers home from the mines; it is also an effective deterrent for those who would otherwise try to invade.  The lowest vibrations can topple armies and siege engines from the mountain path as well as cause landslides.

Postponing Jeers
The Correction Cap is useful, but something to be used with caution.  Using complex magic, it can tweak probabilities and possibilities to improve the wearer’s success in achieving a task.  However, it always has to re-right itself, which can provide an unfortunate kick-back for the wearer.

If a roll is unsuccessful, the Correction Cap will automatically cause the player to succeed. The wearer can then reset the correction cap, meaning that it will fail the next roll they would have otherwise succeeded on.   However, the player can keep the benefits of the cap going for up to 4 rolls (converting failure to success).  If this happens, they will then experience a big downturn in luck.  Either 4 fails or 2 critical failures (for the GM to decide). It is also possible that the cap explodes (e.g. a natural 1 on the dice roll).

Rolling Word Play – 12

Creating Roleplay ideas based on randomly generated words.  Here’s today’s selection.  Discover more about Goes Junior Moods, Revised Toffee and Eloquently Zapped.

Goes Junior Moods
There is something abou Merrymay Town that effects its citizens.  Why else would they cry, laugh, play and sulk just like children, despite their physical age? With this merriment comes an edge. Organisation and long-term thinking is lacking and the mood of the group can change very quickly.  Rules are often broken and a new ‘ruler’ may last 5 minutes or begin a long tyrannical reign. Expect lots of emotion, bursts of creativity and savage law.

Revised Toffee
This sweet, chewy treat was created by an entrepreneurial rogue with a flair for creative magics.  Its secret is said to be the songs played by a master bard whilst it is being made.  The magic of the music mixed with the active toffee-making, created a layer of enchanted life within the toffee mix.  The result is, whilst this charmed toffee is being chewed, the user can pick up feelings and senses that surrounded the toffee during its life up to the present time. This means, that the sights, smells, sounds, even the atmosphere of where the toffee has been will leave a trace that the perceptive toffee chewer can detect.

Eloquently Zapped
People in the religious town of Jorn have been disappearing.  The common connection between the unseen victims is that they were under the weather when last seen.  Some were known to have recently been in an argument, whilst others had become quiet and noticeably sadder than usual.  The reason for the disappearances lies with a priest known by Guthrey.  He is a contented, pleasant fellow and those in the town trust and respect him both for his pious and calm nature.   However, he so offended one powerful witch that she cursed him from afar.  When he now takes confessions from his guilt-ridden subjects, his suggested atonements (such as bathing in the river and asking for forgiveness) send them to a pocket-plane created for them to repeatedly carry out those tasks indefinitely.  Will anyone spot the pattern and stop Guthrey from doing any more accidental damage? Will the pocket plane be found with or without the Witch’s help?

Rolling Word Play – 11

Creating Roleplay ideas based on randomly generated words.  Here’s today’s selection.  Discover more about Penny Swans, Zealous Unity and Spine Frock.

Penny Swans
Three city-bound travellers find shiny pennies from unknown origin.  These curiously pretty objects have a signet carved into the coins and appear to be lucky when the travellers are able to avoid immediate dangers and make uncanny decisions.  The more time goes on, the stronger the bond between the traveller and their penny. The truth is the pennies are magical entities that cannot walk to the city themselves but using their disguised form, can manipulate other creatures to aid them on their mission.  What is the origin of this species?  What mission are they on?

Zealous Unity
The clans of Caldrin, Zarrow and Nercannel form a strained township called Clan-Arrol (Arrol is the river beside which the town is based), which ties the clans together.  If the clans were left to their own devices, they would likely form separate towns or find a semblance of peace, but their unity remains in place thanks to the conniving mind of the town mayor Wezsel Caldrin.  The incoming tax money that forms the treasury is used to run the town and to keep the peace.. at least on the surface.  The rules of ‘spreading unity and harmony’ are strict.  To get around these rules, there are many gangs in operation, all vying for a greater share of the gold and land available. However, many of the gangs are simply agencies of Wezsel Caldrin, spreading disharmony and squabbling among the clans and stopping any outright rebellions.  Will Wezsel continue to reign unchallenged?  And if not, what would the outcome be?

Spine Frock
A dress that attaches itself to the wearer. It is an attractive silk dress that feels smooth to the touch.  However, once worn it’s curse becomes apparent for it cannot be removed.  Instead it bonds with the wearer, attaching itself to them almost like an outer skin.  Once the wearer becomes attuned to the garment, they can use it to safely stretch their spine up to 6 feet and shrink by up to 2.5 feet (if the wearer is less than 5 feet tall, than the distances are halved).  

Rolling Word Play – 10

Creating Roleplay ideas based on randomly generated words.  Here’s today’s selection.  Discover more about Herbs Learn, Aura Jolly and Number Audit.

Herbs Learn
A wooden bridge between the village of Orrow and the market town of Flerin has become unsafe, keeping the villagers from trading for supplies.  Something was using the vegetation beside the bridge to whip those travelling across. It almost got old Snor the peddler, but his donkey wasn’t so lucky and fell out of sight into the dense swampy ground below.

The vegetation itself is carnivorous and is attacking those that cross the bridge. When the adventurer’s pass by, roll 1d6 for the plant’s new tactic:

1-2: Disguises themselves as beautiful flowers and fruits ready for picking. 3-4: Aggressive ambush 5-6: Low growl trap as if something lurks underneath the bridge.

Aura Jolly
A magnificent garden produces an effect part illusion-part drug, inducing the visitors to seeing happy, vivid colours when in fact it is nothing of the kind. Faeries and other fey folk wait till the visiting creatures are intoxicated, and then pounce on their prey.  But what is their end-game?  And who is the ring leader?

Number Audit
Those who know it, call it the Valley of the Five.  Whenever a group passing through number more than five or have more than five of an item (for example, five swords), one of the creatures/items disappears. If there are still more than five items or creatures, the effect will repeat.  The only way to stop this effect from recurring is to split the party and the items between them.  Why does this effect occur and where do those who have disappeared end up?

Rolling Word Play – 9

Creating Roleplay ideas based on randomly generated words.  Here’s today’s selection.  Discover more about Detect Cattle, Trap Brains and Snake Tilt.

Detect Cattle
A farmer’s cattle have all disappeared from his ranch/farmstead.  A few individuals have been found wondering outside the area, and seem completely bewildered.  A plant known as Cow Slip was used to entice the cows towards Tipper’s Dyke.  This local patch of wilderness looks oddly darker than the surroundings and objects that have fallen into the dyke have disappeared from view.

The dyke contains a wild portal going to another plane.  But where does it lead, and who deliberately enticed the cows there?

Trap Brains
A trap that contains a pit full of detached brains.  They are able to survive on a liquid solution and have grown large root-like cords to continue to drink and circulate this life-giving brine.  The living body of a creature that falls into the pit will be attacked by the other brains who will attempt to squeeze into an hole they can find and usurp the creature’s own brain.

Snake Tilt
A bridge not only provides a way across difficult terrain, it also provides a singular point of travel, which is useful if you want to stop others trespassing. The Snake Tilt Bridge connects two rocky ledges that sit above a stream of magma and is designed in a colourful, attractive way to look like a snake.  For those who understand its meaning, it is a deterrent.  A perceptive creature will see a slit in the far side of the bridge that indicates it is not connected to the far ledge.  Only the first half of the bridge is supported underneath.  A party that goes across will get to the centre without any trouble, but as soon as enough of them move past the middle, the bridge will become unbalanced and tilt into the magma stream below.

Rolling Word Play – 8

Creating Roleplay ideas based on randomly generated words.  Here’s today’s selection.  Discover more about the Rescue Basis, Earth Dream and Slug View.

Rescue Basis
An emergency state where all the constructs (be it future sci-fi or golum-type creatures) will attempt to save all creatures from threats.  This can be helpful if characters are in real peril, but it’s also difficult for them to do anything new if the constructs believe this presents a risk.  The interesting part here is why was the Rescue Basis was triggered in the first place and how it can be stopped.

Earth Dream
In an ancient woodland, or where one once stood, the ancient trees and fungi created a complex organic highway of energy underneath the ground, becoming an unconscious super-structure. In this vast area, the soil itself imagines creatures or an altered landscape and this in turn creates changes in the land.

But why is the land dreaming so?  Is there in fact a parasite that is causing it to slumber and manipulating its superhighway?  To bring peace to this infected, toxic environment the adventurers will have travel into its heart and wake it up.

Slug View
The town of Chilwen wishes to send adventurers into the nearby woodland to investigate why a barron mound of earth the size of a hill has risen at its centre and decimated the trees.  Anyone investigating will discover a massive migration of slugs rising to the top of the hill and into a dank, smelly hole. Within are many organisms that thrive on decay such as worms and other insects.  These particular worms are blind and viscous and follow the slug trails to find what they can devour.  In the centre of this mess is the source of this disturbance.  A magical artefact discarded by their owners and left to rot in the ground. What is it and why was it abandoned?

The Magic of Nature

Inspired by the natural world, this book contains the discoveries made by Glitzz; a ‘gnomadic’ druid on his many journeys and wonderings.  His documented findings are a highly-useful guide for every scholar of nature, especially those who routinely interact with nature such as druids and rangers.Included in this tome are 50 magical botanicals.  These are potent enough, but if mixed correctly with other ingredients, their magical properties can create up to 35 different potions or floral amulets.

It is available and can be downloaded from DrivethruRPG.