Optional Rules for LotFP Clerics

In the forums of lotfp.com, some folks discuss how to improve the cleric class. While I cannot side with the “does not hits as good as fighter” argument (NO class in lotfp has a higher to-hit-bonus as the fighter, as all but the fighter have a flat THB of “+1”), I see the point that is made about the spells.

I would not say that they are less powerful. People tend to measure power in “opponents killed”, which is something that I happily leave to the fighters. To revive somebody from the dead is more powerful to me than to burn said somebody to crisps with the flick of a wrist (again, I fighters take more time, but do the job). But I agree that the clerics spells are in total less fancy as they are often defensive or “negating” in nature: the majority of magic-user spells create a certain effect of their own (which gives the player a moment to shine) as the PC does something. What the cleric does often negates something somebody else did: removing damage, disease, curses etc. is reactive instead of active, the kind of support role that those who want to hug the limelight like to avoid.

This is hard to change without mixing the two classes up into one and the same thing, which turns it into a question of flavor if your PC is “C or MU”. But what -could- be done for those that feel that their cleric is “underpowered” and “un-shiny” compared to a regular MU? Here are some suggestions of mine:

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50 Names for Swords

Another week, and another pay-what-you-want title: 50 Names for Swords.  If you run out of names for your magic, mystic or master-crafted blades, these might help you. And if you are look for magic weapons, I have you covered as well, and even pay-what-you-want, if you want.

Slowly, my arsenal of names grows. I wonder where I will be by the end of 2018. And how many people will have downloaded those by then. I hope: lot´s and lot´s of people 🙂

Other people on “Veins of the Earth”

Hi everyone,

as my regular readers will already have noted, I started to delve into the material of Veins of the Earth. Others already did so before me, and the opinions and thoughts of two of them I would like to recommend.

For one, there is Almost a review on the Against The Wicked City blog. In my opinion, it sums up the the title pretty well: if you are unsure if you want to buy it, give it a read.

To those who already own a copy I recommend Feeding Cities in the Veins of the Earth on the False Machine blog. The post deals with one of the drawbacks off VotE that was mentioned in the AtWC review: food supply/economy. I do not like all the solutions and concepts mentioned in the blog post (the Food Malmukes are my prime example), but that being said it is a good source for ideas.

Thanks to both authors for sharing their thoughts and ideas with us.

 

 

From the Maw of the Würm came…

I took a break from the game aides (well, I need another good idea) but not from pay-what-you-want-titles. So, I released From the Maw of the Würm came… today, a collection of special attacks for dragon-esque monsters.

These are not your regular attacks of “elemental breath” or acid, but were written with a battle against a nasty, hideous monster in mind. One that most would like to leave alone for the harm and woe it might cause. Some of the entries refer to a “cone of “ effect/attack. The GM is the final arbiter in regard to the exact shape and measures of said cone (and how often the monster may make use of its special attack), so that it may be easier to fit the attacks into any given game. All of the entries are Labyrinth Lord(tm) compatible, but every GM worth the title should be able to adapt those to any other OSR RPG.

To lend this blog post some substance, I will post 10 of the twenty attacks of the title right here. Enjoy!

25 Sights in the Streets of a Cyberpunk/SciFi-Megalopolis

Roleplaying is about describing scenes. Cut this part of our hobby away, and it becomes boring. The important scenes are the one that we, the GM´s of this world, are usually prepared for. After all, we knew they were coming, we anticipated them because we know the plot, and more often than not we gleefully waited for them to unwind (often because it was us who came up with them, to entertain the players). But sometimes, the PC just run around a place like a city, grab some weapons and gear or do some legwork. Those are usually not played as scenes, for the sake of game time, but embellishing the PC´s way from A to B with a little sideshow will help to maintain the atmosphere (this near-holy thing we spend some much prep time on to conjure it). Below, you will find 25 Sights in the Streets of a Cyberpunk/SciFi-Megalopolis. Enjoy!

Player Aid: Ammo Clip Tracker

A new week, a new release. I decided to stick to smaller Pay-What-You-Want titles for a while, as I want to correct grammar, spelling and writing of my previously released products till the end of the year. So, after releasing an OSR Provision Tracker and a SciFi Ammo Tracker, I now add an Ammo Clip Tracker to the list. While this one is similar to it predecessor-in-ammo, it focuses on clips and the rounds left in one.

 

How to use this player aid:

Print out the page (one per two players), divide it in the middle (either with a scissor or by “fold-n-tear”) and hand a sheet to each player. The players may then label each of the two columns with the type (or name) of the weapon which ammo clip is to be tracked.

1# Underline a number of boxes in each column that is equal to the bullets in the loaded clip.

3-a# When shots are fired during the game, cross out an underlined box for each shot

3-b# When a new clip is loaded, underline further boxes in the column till the total of number of (underlined, unmarked) boxes is equal to the number of bullets in the loaded clip

4# Keep track of the ammo clips the character carries with the clip field below the ammo columns, and note the needed details (e.g. calibre, number of rounds) next to the check box.

4.1# Cross out a clip after it has been loaded. If a clip is replaced before it is empty, mark a “fresh” clip but note the number of left bullets accordingly.

5# Kindly ask the person who printed the sheet for you for a new one when the current one
has no free boxes left in one of its columns.

Thanks for your attention! If you like it… like it! 😉

[OSR] The Seven Candles

The Seven Candles have been blessed by a saint (or similar clerical figure of reverence) so that they may help the faithful in times of need. Each of them is equal to a mundane candle of good quality, and will burn up to 12 turns. But furthermore, each candle may provide one of the following seven benefits after being lit by a cleric in a moment of devotion, and the benefit of the candle will be the one needed the most after being lit (but will not change until extinguished and lit again).