Dark Souls OSR Tabletop rpg (3) – Combat Mechanics: Defense rolls

Dark Souls OSR project: Part 0, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Today we talk about one of the most important aspects of Dark Souls – Combat. Maybe the hardest aspect to translate from the electronic game to a tabletop rpg, the combat in Dark souls is skill based. The better the player, the better the chances of the character surviving. So much in fact that there are players able to finish Dark Souls almost without leveling up their characters stats or equipment. But an rpg is made – normally – with random numbers and, if your character stats are bad, no matter how 'good' you understand one system, you will probably still die.

Although it is possible to try emulating skill through a game (for example, Chess is a game based entirely on a person's skill), the main objective here will be trying to translate the 'feel' of Dark Souls. In Dark Souls, you always feel like your way of playing and reacting affect the game – how could we do something similar in a tabletop rpg?

Thus I introduce the 'Defense Rolls'. There are 6 types of defense rolls, one for each main attribute:

. Strength defense: Pushing, Trampling, Smashing.

. Dexterity defense: Dodging, rolling, evading.

. Constitution defense: Resisting, interposing, absorbing attacks.

. Inteligence defense: Foretelling, Feinting, fe

. Wisdom defense: Perceiving, acting on instincts.

. Charisma defense: Intimidating, Luck.

Besides the Saving Throws values, a character would have also Defense values. If you are playing with a classic OSR class, every one of their defense rolls will start at 15 at first level and receive +1 after each even level (so, +1 at level 2, +2 at level 4 etc), and will also receive +1 if the attribute is 13-15, +2 if it is 16 or 17, and +3 if 18. If you are playing with the 'Chosen Undead' special class, then your Defense starts at 20+ and depends entirely on your improved attribute modifiers.

In a manner similar to Saving Throws, defense rolls are defensive maneuvers a character may use wherever it seems plausible for him do to so. Wherever a player receives damage, he may narrate how he would defend from it and roll against the appropriate defense value. If successful, the damage is halved and; if it is a failure, the damage received is doubled. If the damage source already needed a saving throw, then either it is not possible to make a defense roll, or the damage will be nullified if both actions are successful – the GM must decide.

For example, let's suppose your 2 nd level fighter is attacked by a giant rat that hits for 20 damage – enough to kill him at that moment. You then say that the fighter will push the rat back using strength in order to defend from it, but the GM that is not possible – the rat is too big for that. So, instead, the player says that he will try absorbing the attack and Defense roll with constitution. He has Con 14, which gives him a Constitution Defense of 13 (+1 being level 2, +1 constitution modifier). He rolls a 11 – a failure – so the damage is doubled and the character dies, reviving later in the bonfire.

In another time, the same fighter is attacked by a pyromancer's fireball, receiving 30 damage. The attack naturally allows for a saving throw, which the character succeeds, halving the damage to 15. However, he wants to negate the damage – so, he tries rolling. Sadly, the fighter fails and the damage goes back to 30 – killing him again.

And that is the idea with Defense Rolls: the characters are able to narrate how they would defend against an attack and may have some control over what happen to their character. And many different monsters will have different modifiers for each kind of defense, which will give some tactical density for the players to know what kind of monsters they are attacking. But I will explain that in future parts.

Until then,

Valete!

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OSR Extras (6) – The Rains of Castamere music, a new bard song

I love the Rains of Castamere – so much in fact that I made aportuguese version of it. I think that its simplicity and yet somber tones makes for one of the most eerie and intimidating musics out of them all. I've already posted inspired by the Lightbringer song, and today I will bring a new bard song – the legendary Lannister's Song, the Rains of Castamere.

The Rains of Castamere, legendary bard song

The sheet of music which has the song has a magical nature to it, visible through 'Detect Magic', although any Bard can sense it naturally. In fact, a bard can read the 'soul' of the music and, if interested, may study it carefully. If the bard spends 5.000 xp, he may then gain access to its powers.

When the bard has a chance to perform the song, anyone of his enemies will feel the weight of his words a thousandfold. Everyone must make a spell saving throw or become intimidated. Those intimidated will be too afraid to raise arms against the bard or his group, unless directly attacked by the Bard or his companions. In fact, the Bard is capable to even escape otherwise impossible situations – like for example, he may sing the song while in a cell in prison and make the guards free him. Beyond intimidation, if the Bard sings for his troops the song, all who hear him will receive +1 to all attack rolls during the next battle, to a maximum of 1 thousand people.

But there is a price: every time the song is used, the GM must roll a d100 in the open and make the players think that this has something to do with the level of the effect of the music. In fact, if the die rolls 100, what happen is that the spirits of the Rains will appear out of nowhere and try dragging the bard to the afterlife. If the Bard survives, that will not impede the effect to happen again, would he roll a 100 again.

Ghosts of Castamere (3d4)

HD 8, or 40 hp

At 10 [+10], spectral touch for 2d10 damage and save against death +4

AC 0 [20], can only be hit by +2 weapons or better

Sv 9+

All True Neutral

XP 4.000

Special: The spectral touch also have the victim make a +3 saving throw against death or have the soul taken to the afterlife.

Until next time,

Valete!

Image 1

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OSR extras (5) - Touhou project Marisa Kirisame, rpg character sheet

Touhou is an amazing thing, although very hard to explain. In its core, it's a danmaku game ('curtain of fire', 'bullet hell') where you play as little girls shooting colorful bullets against one another. But saying that is the same as saying that 'Dark Souls is just a game where you play a zombie in a dark fantasy world' or that 'Adventure Time is just stupid cartoon about the adventures

of a boy and a magic dog in a strange world'. All of those stories have such a level of density and complexity that goes beyond the first glances one may have on them.

In the case of Touhou, I find it one of the most endearing works of art nowadays. I love the plural aspect of its expression, where every single detail helps to compose the greater picture: the way the characters talk and clothe, the way they attack, their respective bullets and their patterns, the musics of the game, the way the musics are composed to create a greater arc on themselves and with themselves, the many characteristics correlated to oriental religion and mythology, the subtle criticism of the modern wasted way of life, the heartfelt atmosphere that can make brutal human devouring demons seem so lovely...

With all of that said, today I bring you Marisa! the ordinary magician from Touhou; I was saying that I'd do that for a friend of mine for a few days and now I got to it, ha! Well, as always, outside brackets is Old School, inside is New School.

Marisa, the Ordinary Magician, Human Wizard 7, Druid 3, Fighter 3, Thief 5

HD: 18 (7d4+3d8+3d10+5d6), or 51 hp

At: 11 [+9]; Magic broom 7 [+13], 2d6 damage or Danmaku (see below)

AC: 8 [12] when in the ground; -5 [25] when fighting in the air flying on her broom

SV: 12+ (see below)

All: Chaotic good

XP: 15.000

Special:

. Breaking the law!: Marisa does not follow the classic OSR rules. She has many different classes and does not suffer of any of their restrictions (as, for example, having to be True Neutral to be a druid). Her strong, tireless and hard-working nature makes her adaptable – and she can bend rules to make them fit better to her designs.

. A strange thief!: Marisa's thievery does't seem motivated by greed and desire for money and riches. All in all, she is a very 'balanced' thief, having 60% in all her skills.

. Just an ordinary magician!: Although one of the most iconic personalities in Touhou and with a great deal of power herself, Marisa's magic is truly limited – mostly light and fire based, and almost entirely attack spells. Most of her magic components come from mushrooms – hence her levels as a Druid, focusing mostly on Plant based magic. The GM should keep that in mind, as Marisa would have few utility spells memorized if encountered randomly, having mostly attack based ones. Nevertheless, she can prepare herself if the situation calls for it (look at 'Extreme Effort').

. Ze!: Marisa's quirky temperament is legendary – even though she is known as a burglar, there are not many direct assaults against her from those she steals from. Because of that, Marisa has a +3 reaction roll, and overall can get away of any sticky situation through her charisma – even though sometimes that makes her seem as just a childish human.

. Extreme effort!: Marisa can work tirelessly for hours with extreme dedication. In fact, she can muster new magical effects if needed, and create new items or potions to the GM discretion if she has time for it. And, although extremely hard-working, Marisa goes to great lenghts in hiding that from others – so her magic seem very flashy and very natural, besides the high ammount of dedication she puts into it.

. Danmaku!: Marisa can shoot lasers, fires and other similar attacks based on light and heat. Her shoots are normally focused and powerfull. When attacking with her Danmaku, it has attack 5 [+15] and deals 4d6 damage.

. Agile girl with a tiny hitbox!: Marisa is fast and nimble when on her broom, flying. Therefore, her AC goes to -5 [25] when she's in the air. And, if she is fighting someone, she probably will be in the air.

. Master Spark!: Her ultimate attack, Marisa may use her magic item 'Mini-Hakero' to invoke the Master Spark – a big 'fuck-off' laser cannon. It causes 20d6 damage (breath save for half damage) in a gigantic line of sight (probably hitting anything in front of her). She has very few and random uses of it per day, though. When she uses the Master Spark, roll 1d6, and let the die rest on the table. Then, if she wants to use it again, roll the die and you must get a higher number than before. If you can't, the Master Spark is wasted for today and must be recharged.

. Magic Items!: Marisa has a great collection of strange items in her house – the GM may name some of them as magical if needed. Besides that, she has always by her side her broom – a flying broom that seems to be undestructible – and her Mini-Hakero which is capable to create many different levels of fire.

. Poison Resistance and Cold Vulnerability: Although an almost unknown fact, Marisa is very resistance to poison (the Forest of Magic, the place where she lives, is poisonous by itself and she is fine living there) and she is also weak against cold. Because of that, Marisa is immune to most Marisa receives +2 on saves against poison and -2 on those against Cold attacks. 

. Fight through nihilism!: Marisa has an indomitable spirit. Although 'just a human', and overall pretty weak compared to the foes she encounter, she has an inner strength the sets her appart from others. When completely dedicated to a cause, with the GM's discretion, Marisa gains +49 hit points (going to 100 hps total) and, if she fails a saving throw, she can try again with a 3+, having to have lost those 2 times for the effect to heappen against her.

. Combat strategies!: Marisa goes into combat with gun's blazing. She is not afraid of using superior firepower and mobility. She will be in the air, using her danmaku, casting any spells that seem useful and will not be shy of blasting her Master Spark against her enemies. If things go awry, she will speed off away in her broom – and few creatures would be able to catch up to her in speed.

Hope you guys liked Marisa. I will be talking more of Touhou eventually – I think it would be a very, very interesting setting to try adapting to OSR. Maybe after I finish my Dark Souls one.

Until then,

Valete!.

Image:  Mokku

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Dark Souls rpg OSR (2) – Classes and 'The Chosen Undead' class

In my last post, I discussed the basics of what makes Dark Souls: Souls, Humanity and Death. Now, I'll talk about another fundamental aspect necessary for the game - the classes. I will also talk about a new class for OSR: 'The Chosen undead.

Considering all the basic and specialized classes of OSR (Fighter, Wizard, Cleric, Thief, Paladin, Druid, Ranger etc), I believe all of them can be used without much changing. However, the GM must adapt them to the Dark Souls lore, although much of Dark Souls is still a mistery. Most of the game passes only in a small area of the world, and that leaves a lot of space for the GM to create new things - so, adapting the classes lore should not be a problem and the GM should not be afraid of inventing.

However, there is a very important and specific Dark Souls 'class': The Chosen Undead, the character that the players of the electronic game plays. Although it is possible to choose amongst many different 'jobs' at the start of character creation, those are, in the end, not very much different from one another - all depends on how you are going to level up your character and what equipment you will use. So, basically, there is only one 'class' in Dark Souls, and I would like to propose an adaptation of it to tabletop rpg:

First things to say is that class would be very special and with particular rules, escaping from the OSR normal pattern. All its characteristics would come from attributes improvements and from its level system. Different from other classes, the Chosen Undead would follow the Dark Souls table of progression, which you can see in this link. Every time the Chosen Undead collects enough souls to level up, it may go to the nearest sacred bonfire and spend the necessary souls. With each level, The Chosen Undead gains +1 improvement to add to an attribute (it is interesting that the player notes the main basic value of an attribute and the improved one in sepparate). Different from all other player characters, The Chosen Undead receives a +1 modifier for every 2 points of improvement beyond 10 - similar to d20 system. So, Strength 23 would give +6 modiffier, for example. The maximum you may have at one improved attribute is 50 (a +20 modiffier).

It is important to note, however, that the Improved attributes are not 'absolutes' in the fictional world. What I mean is that, if you have a giant with Strength 19 agains a Chosen Undead with 38 Improved Strength, but only 14 natural strength, the Giant will be stronger. The Chosen Undead is only able to compare against creatures of relative size - so, a warrior with 17 Stength against a Chosen Undead with 19 improved strength, the Chosen Undead would be stronger. 

Besides the different level progression and attributes, the Chosen Undead does not have Hit Dice. Instead, they have HP equal to their improved Constitution value, and receive +1 hp every 10 levels. So, a Chosen Undead level 94 and with 38 Con would have 47 hit points. If it is needed to know how many HD would the Chosen Undead have, divide its level by 20 (divide by 10, then divide by 2). So, a level 380 Chosen Undead would be equivalent to a 16 HD creature.

In resume:

Chosen Undead

HD: None.  Hps = Constitution +1 / 10 levels; equivalent HD equal to level/ 20.

Attack bonus: None, although with Strength improvement it can go as high as +20 in melee attacks and with Dexterity improvement it can go as +20 in ranged attacks.
Weapons and Armor: Any.

Saving Throws: Começam em 20+, e usam os modificadores dos atributos. They start at a 20+ saving throws, but all its saving throws are modified by attributes. I will talk more of that in the next post.

XP progression: Equal to Dark Souls I, being able to reach very high levels (500, 600th etc).

I hope you folks liked it. Next post will be about Mechanics: Saving Throws and Combat Maneuvres, where I will try explainning how to emulate Dark Souls mechanically in a tabletop rpg.

Until then,
Valete!

Image: I did not make it; I only added a little bit of text.

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OSR Extras (4) – Marshall Lee from Adventure Time, character rpg sheet

So, I posted about Marceline – and it is pretty late here Yeah...I would not post more today, but something special happened. I re-encountered an old friend after six long years without knowing of him. So, because of that, here is her favorite character from Adventure Time in OSR stats: Marshall Lee. As always, Old School out of brackets, New School inside the brackets.

HD: 15, or 72 (in other words, 12 times 6), and 100 in Monster form

At: 5 [+15], 1d4 punch/bite, or 0 [+20] in monster form, 4d6 slam damage

AC: 3 [17], or 0 [20] in monster form

Sv: 5+

All: Chaotic Neutral

XP: 7.000

Special:

Shapeshifting: As his female counterpart, Marshall Lee can shapeshift and also has a monster form which he uses in combat and gives him +5 to Attack, +3 to AC and +28 hp.

Necromancy: Marshall Lee can Animate the Dead in a place where suitable corpses are avaliable. 2D6+4 Skeletons will rise by his command. It is possible that more powerful undead can be called to his command.

Other powers: As Marceline, Marshall Lee can fly at will with perfection and probably has a thousand different powers – although they have not yet appeared in the cartoon. Because of that, I will not post them here.

Yeah, Marshall Lee's sheet is way shorter than Marceline's cause I'm basing myself at what we saw in the cartoon until now – and we have seen too little out of Lee. Anyway, I hope you folks liked it.

Valete!

Image 1

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OSR Extras (3) – Optimus Prime from Michael Bay's Transformers, character rpg sheet

So, sometimes I amuse myself with strange ideas – what would be the stats for the Miachael Bay's crazy Optimus Prime? Well, I will not get in the merit of speaking about his new transformer movies – this is not the place to talk about it. I will just add some stats to it; it will be fun, right? As always, numbers out of brackets mean Old School and inside brackets mean New School.

(Bay's) Optimus Prime, gargantuan allien machine

HD: 40, or 240 hps

At: -5 [+25], 1 slam for 10d6 damage

AC: -14 [34]

Sv: Special (look below at 'optimal saves')

All: Lawful evil

XP: 50.000

Special:

. Explody master blaster: We may think that explosions are our allies, but we merely adopted them. Bay's Prime was born in them, molded by them...so, Optimus Prime is immune to explosions damage – unless the GM wants it not (haha!).

. No Mercy: Bay's prime has a very strict code of honor and will have no mercy upon their enemies (hence it's 'lawful evil allignment). When speaking his peace and delivering judgment, Bay's Prime attacks get a critical on a natural 15+ (double damage). Also, 'No, Optimus Primeeee'.

. Giant (what the hell?!) guns: Bay's prime can have giant shotguns. If he is using such artifacts of power (!?), his attacks will cause double damage (although the target may have a saving throw to halve it). And it is cummulative with 'No Mercy!' - so, in theory, Bay's Prime can deal a whooping 40d6 damage in one hit! Yawzeers!

. Gargantuan Hell Machine out of Space: Bay's Prime is a godzilla of machinery doom. His physical attacks will hit entire blocks, so they are able to strike the whole group of unfortunate adventurers that dared to oppose his lawful evil self.

. Optimal saves: Bay's prime is a resilient mofo. He has saving throws on 10+. If he fails, he is able to try again, with a 3+! Only if he fails that second time is when the effects take place. Besides that, divide by 10 all magical and elemental damage that optimus prime take.

. Trucker form: Bay's Prime may take a trucker form. It's usefulness is solely to go faster. Yep.

. Cheesy and pointless monolog: After a climatic battle, Bay's Prime can say a mind-bogging monolog. Everyone that can hear him must make a Saving throw against magic or be charmed by his presence.

So, that is Bay's Prime. I find it funny how over the top in cruelty and lack of mercy he is compared to the classic cartoon ones – that is part of the reason I wanted to make this post. And you folks, what do you think?

Valete!

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OSR extras (2) - Marceline, the Vampire Queen of Adventure Time rpg character sheet

Following the recent announcements regarding Marceline and Princess Bubblegum, I decided to make a very special post to commemorate: an OSR monster entry for Marceline! The stats are compatible with Labyrinth Lord, AD&D and similars; and those in brackets are in ascendent values, compatible with Lamentations of the Flame Princess, Old Dragon and similars.

Marceline, the Vampire Queen of Ooo

HD: 13, or 66 hps, 106 in battle form 

At: 11 [+9] , Battle Form 8 [+12]

Damage: 1 Bite 1d4; Battle Form 2 claws 2d6 e 1 bite 3d4.

AC: 0 [20], Battle Form -2 [22]

Sv: 3+
AL: Chaotic Neutral

XP: 10.000

Special:

. Abominable Presence: Marceline is capable of changing her features to induce fear. All creatures with 4 HD or less are instantly paralysed. The others may make a saving throw or else be paralysed for 2d4 turns.

. Transformations: Marceline may shapeshift to innumerable different forms, normally with traces of bats, wolves and undead monsters. The GM must decide the capability of each new form she adopts - but, in general, she can take a Battle Form which have her size go from Medium to Huge, gain +40 hit points, +3 to Attak, +2 to AC and make 2 claw and 1 bite attack per turn.

. Resistances: Marceline has many untold resistances and defenses. One that is stated at the cartoon is her almost fire immunity (reduce all fire damage she receives by 100 points). As a Vampire, she must also have some immunities to enchantments and death spells. The GM is free to giver her specific resistances.

. Magical Instruments: Marceline owns a variety of different instruments whose special abilities are yet to be discovered. Many are able to play without an electric amplifier and it is known that her Axe Bass was used by her father as a weapon. The Ax Bass is, at least, a bass that can be used as a battle axe +3 that deals 2d10 damage per strike. The GM is free to give all her instruments new powers.

. Another Powers: With each episode, Marceline's power list grows. She is able to fly at will and with perfection. She has control over each and every strand of her gigantic flowing hair. She is able to drink the shades of red from people and objects (and, actually, that is what she needs to feed upon). She may also turn invisible wherever and however she wants - although that might not work in battle, by GM discretion. Anyway, the GM is free to create new power for the Vampire Queen.

. Weaknesses: Being a vampire, sunlight causes great damage to her. Every turn under sunlight, marceline loses 10% of her maximum HP undil destroyed at 0 hp. However, wearing long sleeved clothing and big (cowboy) hats are able to avert this nasty effect. But, worst than her weaknesses to the sun, Marceline is helpless against Ghosts. All her power won't work on them and she cannot hurt or defend against them. In fact, someone in Astral Form is capable to physically hurt Marceline, hiting her automatically and dealing 10 times the damage (so, 1d4 dagger would deal 10-40 damage to her).

. Combat: Although always minding her own business, Marceline is not afraid of having to fight someone. Impulsive and direct, she will take her battle form and wail fast and furiously against her opponents - although not really going as far as killing them, unless they happen to be evil. And, if she is losing, the will not have reservations for running away - either shapeshifting, flying or becoming invisible to do so. For that reason, she is almost impossible to defeat unless held by magic or something similar.

Well, I hope you guys liked it. Marceline is my favorite character from Adventure Time, and I intend on speaking more about that series in the future (who knows, maybe even adapting it for OSR?).

Until then,

Valete!

Images 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

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