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[Bluecho]

If I had to think of a plot hook for the Dragonscarred Dead, I'd probably fold it into a plotline I came up with called the "Heirs of No Life". In my homebrew setting, the continent was once threatened by an undead warlord, called the No Life King. He's an aspirational figure among intelligent undead in my setting, with many seeking to become the next No Life King. Leading to a variety of such monsters and villains scouring the land, making (and breaking) alliances among themselves and trying to amass minions and magic artifacts. All in the service of increasing their own power, so one...

[Bluecho]

I like this idea a lot. Having more types of undead enemies is always useful, especially in an undead-heavy game. Otherwise, it helps vary the kinds of minions a dragon can command. (It's not just kobolds or dragon cultists all the time, fun though they are).

My quick guide for adapting the Dragonscarred Dead to DnD 5e:

• Start with the Knight stat block as a base (MM p. 347)
• Undead, probably Evil aligned
• Choose damage type of the breath weapon that slew it (Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, or Poison)
• Add staple Resistances and Immunities of undead creatures, as well as an Immunity

...

[Bluecho]

Theodrim is correct. While Masquerade breaches were enough of a danger to warrant constant vigilance, the march of technology presents only new challenges to be adapted to, not an insurmountable doom waiting to happen. In many ways because of technology's double-edged nature.

First, because gaining so much data also serves to BURY relevant data. Especially if, as would probably be the case, everything from major news networks to social media have vampires behind the scenes working to shift public focus and minimize the exposure of damaging evidence. You can bet some computer-savvy...

[Bluecho]

While funny and would probably change details, it's my understanding that the French Revolution was the culmination of years of systemic abuses by the French aristocracy. Discontent was at an all time high.

So even if the heads of the revolution were to disappear suddenly, I'm skeptical this would actually prevent it from happening. Any of the multitude of pissed off French peasants could and probably would have stepped up to take their place. Might even add fuel to the fire, if the Jacobins that disappeared were well known. Make them into martyrs that the common folk rally behind....

[Bluecho]

Another point: not only do "Biological" Caitiff just happen, that's how it's always been, at basically the same rate of occurrence.

If Kindred society thinks otherwise, it's mostly a combination of two factors: 1) Confirmation Bias, and 2) the changing degree to which Kindred in modern times are capable of "correcting their mistakes" by successfully exterminating their Caitiff.

In the former case, Kindred are not immune to rose-tinted glasses. Everyone thinks their formative years were better than "now"; that things were better "then"....

[Bluecho]

I always assumed the division between Social Caitiff (those whose lineage is manifest, but are considered Caitiff) and "Biological" Caitiff was canon. Don't ask me where I got this idea, I couldn't quote a book or anything. That's just how I came to understand them.

I think most Social Caitiff are just regular vampires who are unaware of their lineage. They were an accidental or impassioned Embrace, and/or were abandoned immediately or shortly after the turn by a Sire who may or may not be aware of the unlife they created. Accidental ones can include events where a vampire...

[Bluecho]

There's also the implication that while the Kraina were a form of animistic power, tied to all manner of natural spirits, the Ways come specifically from Kupala, a demon (for whatever value of "demon" it is, because that word is broad and nebulous in WoD, because it was broad and nebulous in Real Life).

From a certain perspective, Way-based Koldunism is practically Infernalism, though Sabbat Kolduns will naturally take exception to that claim, to put it mildly.

[Bluecho]

Naw, I'm with Vysha on this one. Bygone Bestiary can make Bygones with loads of Size. It's an Advantage you can buy.

Granted, it'll be difficult to justify a Kaiju operating in the modern day, without getting absolutely destroyed by Disbelief and/or The Army. Not unless the character can also shapeshift into a more mundane creature.

Now, operating as a Kaiju in earlier eras could be more doable, so long as you stay away from pesky saints.

[Bluecho]

I don't know/remember enough about Spirit Charms to make that judgement call. Some of them might be replicable with existing Charms. Some might require custom ones. It's up to the Storyteller.

[Bluecho]

Agreed. It IS weird, and not particularly "Genie" themed.

You know what might be cool? The ability to use the vessel to cast Unseen Servant at will. Like, the Warlock who works for this high-status Genie receives the services of a low-ranking genie, or else some kind of elemental construct made of clouds or smoke or sand or whatever. You could retain the bit about being able to cast through the servant.


I kind of like it as a weird edge case. If players used it for that purpose, I as DM would allow it. It's a creative application of a neat power.
...

[Bluecho]

138) Endurance the Ashen, Knight of the Breach [Tiefling (Zariel), Oath of the Watchers Paladin]:
In a certain land, in a bygone age, a magical calamity tore open a breach, connecting the material world to other planes. From this tear - what the common folk call the Breach - monsters of every shape, size, and kind leak through. It is here that the hero of great renown - Bartoat the Banisher - stood beside other great heroes of yore, resolute against the tide of aberrations, elementals, and fiends. Bartoat and his ilk are gone, now, but the Breach remains, as do the countless brave folk who...

[Bluecho]

I was almost going to say "Vampiric Touch through a different character!", but then remembered that Vampiric Touch does not work that way. Range of "Self", and then you use your actions to give enemies the succ. It is unlikely to be the intended use of the spell or this subclass feature.


Ehh...even for low Charisma creatures, failing a Charisma saving throw ten turns in a row seems unreliable. And if at any time before the 1 minute mark they happen to succeed, that's it for the Warlock for the day.

I see this less as "the Genie Warlock...

[Bluecho]

So the latest Unearthed Arcana just dropped, with four new subclasses: (Barbarian) Path of the Beast, (Monk) Way of Mercy, (Paladin) Oath of the Watchers, and (Warlock) The Noble Genie Patron.

Few thoughts:

• Love that we finally have a Barbarian that can dispense with crafted arms, and just maul fools with natural weapons. Really dig into the idea of a savage, animalistic creature, more so even than the Path of the Totem ever could. It leaves the exact reason for the Barbarian's animal features open to interpretation, so the player/DM can decide for themselves why the character is

...

[Bluecho]

It's worth pointing out that the above character concept could also work for a Paladin of Vengeance or Monster Slayer Ranger. I chose Battle Master Fighter because none of its maneuvers require the character be able to SEE the enemy, whereas spellcasting often mandates it. I'm unsure as to whether a character with the Blind Fighting style counts as being able to "see" an opponent, for purposes of targeting them, so I went with the sure bet.


As an aside, this character could also make use of a number of Feats. Defensive Duelist and Duel Wielder (the polished shield...

[Bluecho]

137) Benita Vicario, Night Fighter [Human, Battle Master Fighter]:
Benita grew up in the ancestral home of House Vicario. A villa flanked by rolling hills, extensive vineyards, and the familial cemetery. A cemetery filled not just with gravestones, but with the petrified sons of Vicario going back many generations, locked forever in expressions of pain and horror.

For hundreds of years, House Vicario has harbored a blood feud against a monster. A Medusa that dwells in the hills beyond Villa Vicario, at the mouth of a river that passes through the ancestral estate. What started...

[Bluecho]

So this dropped. Matt Mercer talking to D&D Beyond about Dunamancy:



Gotta say, I've always been disappointed by the lack of time/space manipulation spells in 5e....

[Bluecho]

So, kind of like this video by Zee Bashew?

...

[Bluecho]

Given the World of Darkness's pulp roots, here's an idea: the Americas have far more extant (though not necessarily widely known) ruins and sites dating from pre-Columbian times.

Remember, prior to the arrival of the Europeans and their death-plagues, the "New World" is thought have had a population not dissimilar to that of the "Old World". With that came thriving cities and cultures, such as those of the Mississippian cities of Cahokia and Etowah, and the Mogollon Casas Grandes and Gila Cliffs. The Maya, Inca, Aztec, and Olmec civilizations, of course, need no...

[Bluecho]

A lot of this becomes more stable in the WoD as-written by the presence of Mage: The Ascension. There, the existence of True Faith not only makes True Faith itself more common, but makes a Consensus more amenable to miracles.

Hence why the Technocracy exists.

They quash belief in the supernatural, through any means necessary. Even underhanded means. Sure, many priests ARE kiddy fiddlers, but in the WoD, it could be that many folks with True Faith have been falsely accused of same, as a ploy by Technocrats to undermine public confidence in religious leaders and institutions....

[Bluecho]

Speaking of torches, with the game I run with my family (when they're around), I gave the DMPC Bard the Dancing Lights cantrip. Even though I think Dancing Lights is subpar (it's a 1 minute duration, requires Actions to re-position, and requires Concentration; no thank you, WotC, I'll stick with Light). I just figured, "eh, he's a Bard, it makes sense flavor-wise, and I keep his spell slots in reserve for healing regardless". I knew the party needed illumination for all the underground stuff they'd be going through during this adventure.

All of which became a moot point,...