Dungeon Master Game Notes: Outcasts of Byr, Session 1

I thought it would be interesting to see what everyone's DM notes looked like. Maybe we can learn from each other? Perhaps we can "ooo" and "ah" at each other's genius. Perhaps we can look at wonder at how someone's notes could ever translate into a playable game session. I'm curious!

Below are the beginning game notes for the current session we are playing. I will have to censor some of these because I never know who will see some of the spoilers sooner than intended. The top half is the world notes. Some of it is still intact and it sets the background for the current campaign. This all used an early playtest packet of the D&D Next Open Playtest.

Everything below was ALL I had written down to begin Game Session 1. I had two players at the time. One was playing a changeling rogue and a warforged fighter (both races homebrewed), and the other was playing a dwarf cleric and a human rogue.

Marvel Hero-brew: New Suit Milestone

A few weeks back, we played the Marvel Heroic Roleplaying game and I took the role of the Suit, master of the old Atlantean magiks (spelled with a 'k' because that means it's old). During play, I barely managed to earn a single experience point. Ergo, I have created a new Milestone to fit the character so that he can grow faster than the snail's pace. This will take the place of the In Sheep's Clothing milestone until the time comes for the Suit to begin to open up to his allies and the world.

Reluctant Savior of Humanity

"These apes are like children. They need guidance, protection, and parenting. Unfortunately, I'm the only one that can do it."
1XP...when you go out of your way to protect an innocent human.
3XP...when you gain stress up to d10 while protecting an innocent human.
10XP...when you no longer reluctantly protect those who need it, or when you give up on the apes forever.

This milestone was created for use in the Marvel Heroic Roleplaying game by Margaret Weis Productions, Ltd.

Marvel Hero-brew: The Suit

This character exists in a universe wherein the Atlanteans and the Mu Empire wiped each other out in our prehistory. The two cultures had similar themes of mixing magic with technology and used those abilities to sink each other into their respective oceans.

D'Rin Tarengal was a young Atlantean nobleman learning to become an arcane-technician when the Cataclysm began. He was placed in cryostasis...and awoke in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean in the modern age, grasping to the lid of the stasis chamber to remain afloat. He would later discover that an underwater earthquake was recorded in the area at that same time, possibly shaking his stasis chamber loose from the remains of his civilization.

D'Rin was rescued by a fishing boat and was led back to the United States to make a new life for himself. Without any record, a limited knowledge of English that he quickly learned on the fishing boat, and his claim of "memory loss", he was declared a John Doe and began a new life in America.

Dungeons and Dragons Next: Warforge Errata

After giving it some thought, I decided it was time to reevaluate my Warforged design for D&D Next. I have to admit, though, that I am excited for the day Wizards of the Coast publishes their own design and I can drop this like a ton of bricks.

4th Edition Homebrew: Monster HP

What? Me doing another article on 4th Edition!? The Mayans were right; it's the end of the world!

"We predict that a blogger will write a stupid Mayan joke.
Thousands will die."

Why I LOVE Dungeons and Dragons Next!

...as of the 11/13/2012 playtest release. That's a reference point for you who are reading this in THE FUTURE.

Good news, everyone! WotC released ANOTHER playtest packet!
Time to remake all your characters!

Randomly Generated Exploration

Explore to your heart's content, my friends.
Beware the dragons.

I come out of "retirement" momentarily to bring you this latest blog post!

In my current D&D Next game, my players have been hired to map out the Wyld (spelled with a "Y" because it's fantasy!), a vast expanse of land that has not been touched by civilization in centuries. The following are the charts that I use to randomly generate events in the Wyld. I decided that instead of designing an entire region that was more than twice the size of their country of origin, it was better to just design the basic geography and allow chance to decide the rest, barring anything related to the plot.

Weekly 4e Homebrew: Harvester of Souls

Every Sunday, I'll have a completely homebrewed Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition element that you can use in your games. I do take requests so you can either post a comment here, email me at thatrobedguy@hotmail.com with the subject "Homebrew Request", or send me a tweet on Twitter (@brannonhutchins) with the hashtag #weekly4e.

"The world is in chaos."
"Yes, we see that. Evil has grown strong."
"We have chosen a Champion to guide the people."
"Send him...the sword."

DnD Next Playtest: Warforging Ahead

Today's Weekly 4e Homebrew article has been interrupted due to large amounts of DnD Next radiation.

Yo dawg. I heard you like playtests.

Lord in Heaven, help me. One of my closest friends is also my right hand man when it comes to roleplaying. I bounce ideas off of him and he comes up with interesting character concepts. There is only one problem...he HATES classic fantasy races. He finds the combination of dwarves, elves, halflings, and humans to be a bore. He finds it less classical and more generic. He tends to play the weird races like Warforged or Changelings, and less used classes like ninjas.

Consider this article (and any that follow it until the game's official release) an attempt to appease his lame arguments about a game still in the playtest phase. I'm not planning on releasing any more at this time.

Weekly 4e Homebrew: Monolith Drone

Every Sunday, I'll have a completely homebrewed Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition element that you can use in your games. I do take requests so you can either post a comment here, email me at thatrobedguy@hotmail.com with the subject "Homebrew Request", or send me a tweet on Twitter (@brannonhutchins) with the hashtag #weekly4e.

THEY'VE BREACHED THE OUTER DEFENSES! THE ANIMATED HORDES ARE FLOODING IN!  My gods...THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THEM! FLEE! ABANDON ALL HOPE! ABANDON ALL HO-URK!

Weekly 4e Homebrew: Earth Monolith

Every Sunday, I'll have a completely homebrewed Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition element that you can use in your games. I do take requests so you can either post a comment here, email me at thatrobedguy@hotmail.com with the subject "Homebrew Request", or send me a tweet on Twitter (@brannonhutchins) with the hashtag #weekly4e.

GET MORE MEN TO THOSE GATES! WE CAN DO THIS! WE CAN HOLD THE ANIMATE ARMY AT BAY! WE GROUNDED THE LIGHTNING! WE SNUFFED OUT THE FLAMES! WE'RE ALMOST THROUGH THIS, MEN! PEACE MAKER KEEP HAS HELD ONCE MO-

*THUM*....*THUM*

Oh...gods...

Weekly 4e Homebrew: Flame Monolith

Every Sunday, I'll have a completely homebrewed Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition element that you can use in your games. I do take requests so you can either post a comment here, email me at thatrobedguy@hotmail.com with the subject "Homebrew Request", or send me a tweet on Twitter (@brannonhutchins) with the hashtag #weekly4e.

The Animate Army continues its invasion of my blog. Last week, the Lightning Monoliths began their barrage from the rear flanks. This week, front lines collide as the Animates send out a devastating wave of chaos, the Flame Monoliths.

Weekly 4e Homebrew: Lightning Monolith

Every Sunday, I'll have a completely homebrewed Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition element that you can use in your games. I do take requests so you can either post a comment here, email me at thatrobedguy@hotmail.com with the subject "Homebrew Request", or send me a tweet on Twitter (@brannonhutchins) with the hashtag #weekly4e.

INSPIRATION! It comes at the strangest of times. For me, it usually happens on the toilet. Hey, don't judge. The bathroom provides little distractions and allows my mind to wander.

As I was saying, I was inspired to create something akin to a mech. This later evolved to the single-minded animate that you will see today. I give you, the LIGHTNING MONOLITH.

Marvel Hero-brew: Hice

Robert Harrison was your ordinary, everyday genius. One day, when testing a new combustible fuel in a safe and remote location...he woke up. The combustion engine Robert had been using to test the new fuel was in ruins and it was several days later.

While trying to determine what went wrong, his temper grew. However, so did the flames now surrounding his body. He unintentionally started a forest fire, and in his panic, discovered that he could also put it out with another set of powers. Fire and ice were now at his fingertips, but Robert couldn't figure out how.

Extensive research quickly led Robert to understand that the chemical compound for his new combustible fuel had nothing to do with his transformation. With nothing left but to explore his new found powers, Robert joined his brother, Voltage, in stopping criminals like his favorite comic book heroes. This took precedence over his continued education and continues to function with nothing more than a High School Diploma, despite his high intellect.

He decided on the name Hice and continues to claim he couldn't think of anything better because all the good names are already taken or copy-written.

Hice, Robert "Rob" Harrison [Secret/Public]

Solo d6, Buddy d10, Team d8

Distinctions

Banner's Temper, Masters Grad Equivalent, Eldest Sibling

Power Sets

Genetic Inferno

Fire Blast d8, Fire Control d8, Subsonic Flight d8

SFX: Fiery Body- On a reaction against a physical stress attack action, inflict physical stress with your effect die at no PP cost or spend a PP to step it up by +1.
SFX: Flame Burst- Add a d6 and keep an additional effect die for each additional target.
SFX: Multipower- see OM91 for details.
SFX: Red Hot Rage- see Berserk on OM90
Limit: Conscious Activation- see OM93
Limit: Water Weakness- Shut down Genetic Inferno when hit with a water or ice attack action and gain 1 PP. Roll versus the doom pool or wait for a Transition scene to recover the power set.

Frozen Genome

Frozen Exoskeleton d8, Ice Control d8, Ice Spikes d8

SFX: Frozen Contructs- see Construct on OM90
SFX: Ice Cold Heart- see Berserk on OM90
Limit: Conscious Activation- see OM93
Limit: Melting- Shut down Frozen Genome when hit with a fire/heat based attack action and gain 1 PP. Roll versus the doom pool or wait for a Transition scene to recover the power set.
Limit: Mutually Exclusive- see OM93

Specialties

Science Expert d8, Tech Expert d8

Milestones

Brother's Keeper

Your brother, Voltage, is a source of much strength and annoyance to you. Mostly annoyance.
1XP ...when you compete with your brother, Voltage.
3XP ...when you have a heated argument with Voltage.
10XP ...when you split ways "forever" or reconcile your difference with Voltage.

Strange Origins

The nature of your powers has remained a mystery for years. Perhaps finally learning the truth will help you in your fight against the criminal element.
1XP ...when you discover a clue hinting to the origin of your powers.
3XP ...when someone admits to knowing something about your origins.
10XP ...when you finally discover the truth.

Designer Notes: Marty Sue? What are you talking about? I know nothing of what you are talking about!

In all seriousness, this character was HIGHLY a Marty Sue created back in my middle school days. I thought the dynamic of the two different elements in one hero was interesting. I was also toying around with the idea of being able to use the two power sets together, but I think I will save that for when the character has enough Experience (XP) to remove the Mutually Exclusive limit. Consider it something to strive for.

His "secret origin" is tied to alien experimentation with human genetics. Several elemental based heroes and villains around the world with similar mysterious origins are tied to Hice as sleeper agents to be activated once the invasion begins. The aliens did not anticipate the development of other super powered beings on Earth so that will, of course, be their downfall.

Hice was created for use in Marvel Heroic Roleplaying by Margaret Weis Productions LTD.

Weekly 4e Homebrew: Melora Warpriest Domain

Every Sunday, I'll have a completely homebrewed Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition element that you can use in your games. I do take requests so you can either post a comment here, email me at thatrobedguy@hotmail.com with the subject "Homebrew Request", or send me a tweet on Twitter (@brannonhutchins) with the hashtag #weekly4e.

I have no idea why I thought this would be a walk in the park. BUT! I present to you the heroic tier for the Warpriest's Nature Domain!

For the record: I'm not privy to the goings on in the Dungeon and Dragon Magazines anymore, so I hope I'm not treading on too many heels with this new article. I was also originally going to use the official name of the goddess of nature, but I decided to err on the side of caution. I figure I'm already dancing the line of the OGL, so why push it?

Weekly 4e Homebrew: Chain of Shielding

Every Sunday, I'll have a completely homebrewed Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition element that you can use in your games. I do take requests so you can either post a comment here, email me at thatrobedguy@hotmail.com with the subject "Homebrew Request", or send me a tweet on Twitter (@brannonhutchins) with the hashtag #weekly4e.

I've been playing a lot of Mass Effect 3 in order to complete the epic of Quincy Shepard, a name that is now both respected and feared among the various races of the galaxy. One of the features prevalent in all three games in the regenerating shield that decreases with each attack that strikes it and eventually regenerates.

Consider this my attempt at creating a regenerating shield within 4th Edition's rule set. I present to you, the Chain of Shielding.

Marvel Hero-brew: Iron Golem

Isaac Irons was an ordinary eleven year old kid. He went to school, did his homework, played videogames, etc. Then, everything changed when his mutant powers were activated. All of the metal in a 25 yard radius, including those in the bodies of Isaac and the surrounding civilians, shot from their sources into the air and fell like metal needles. It was a grizzly sight, one that Isaac can still remember to this day.

Isaac found himself non-corporeal; a mutant without a body and practically a ghost. He tried to reach out for help, frightening those that could hear him. Isaac quickly learned to remain silent. With no body, the ability to phase through walls, and no need to eat as he used to know it, Isaac did the only thing he could do: learn. He spent time reading over shoulders and watching the interactions between people.

As time went on, Isaac learned that he could move small pieces of metal with his mind. He used a small penny to help in his continued reading without the need to look over the shoulders of others. Eventually, this ability grew, and so did the public's recognition of his presence. There was worry that someone was building robotic drones to scare the local population. In truth, it was Isaac trying to build the proper body for himself.

It had been five years since his genetic awakening, and he finally had a body again. Isaac settled on a street sign, poorly spray painted white, to represent his head and used coins to simulate facial expressions. Random chunks of metal were fused together to create floating gauntlets and boots. Forgoing his former life at first, Isaac used a new identity to those who came to him. Drawing upon his Jewish heritage, Isaac became the Iron Golem.

Iron Golem, Isaac Irons [Secret]

Solo d6, Buddy d8, Team d10

Distinctions

Ghost Teen, Small Voiced, Violent Awakening

Power Sets

Non-corporeal Magnet

Magnetic Control d8, Intangibility d12, Invisibilty d10

SFX: Area Attack- Add a d6 and keep an additional effect die for each additional target.
SFX: Invulnerable- Spend 1 PP to ignore physical stress or trauma unless caused by mystical attacks.
SFX: Multipower- Use two or more Non-corporeal Magnet powers in a single dice pool at -1 step for each additional power.
Limit: Difficult Recovery- Add Intangibility die to the opposing roll when others try to recover your physical stress.
Limit: Moody- Earn 1 PP and step up emotional stress caused by doubt, guilt, or self-worth by +1.
Limit: Mutant- Earn 1 PP when affected by mutant-specific Milestones and tech.
Limit: Mutually Exclusive- Shutdown Non-corporeal Magnet to activate Golem Shell. Shutdown Golem Shell to activate Non-corporeal Magnet.

Golem Shell

Enhanced Strength d10, Superhuman Durability d10

SFX: Unleashed- Step up or double any Golem Shell power for one action. If the action fails, add a die to doom pool equal to the normal rating of your power die.
Limit: Incorporeal- Shutdown Golem Shell after taking physical stress or trauma. Convert the physical stress or trauma to emotional stress or trauma. Golem Shell cannot be reactivated until the emotional stress or trauma is recovered.

Specialties

Medical Expert, Science Expert, Tech Expert, Psych Master

Milestones

Socially Awkward

With five years of silence behind him, can Isaac overcome his problems with social interaction?
1XP ...when you say something that unintentionally causes the room to grow silent.
3XP ...when you manage to carry a conversation without stuttering or making people uncomfortable.
10XP ...when someone falls in love with you or when you give up on ever finding love.

Silent Learner

Having spent years as a silent observer, can Isaac now put what he has learned to good use?
1XP ...when you use a specialty outside of combat to help someone in need.
3XP ...when you are accused of spying on someone, and you did.
10XP ...when you use your ghost-like nature to accomplish a goal that immediately leads to the team succeeding or failing in the Event.

Designer Notes: I began creating this character using the random character generator pdf that is available on the Margaret Weis website. After realizing I was doing it wrong (my bad), I started over. I liked what the random generator had given me at that point, so I used it as a base. I knew what the character was, and how it would act in a comic book universe, so I used that knowledge to properly build the character. Iron Golem was the end result.

As a side note, when Irons enters combat he uses his magnetism to create his Golem Shell which has a strong primate resemblance akin to the Mega Man Yellow Demon. The eye is represented with a flashlight and the street sign used in his "civilian mode" becomes a chest plate.

Edit 7/13/12: Added "OR ___" to the 10XPs of each milestone. Subtractions and additions made to SFX and Limits of both power sets.
Edit 7/14/12: Upped the die step for Golem Shell's Strength trait.

Weekly 4e Homebrew: Web Shooters

Every Sunday, I'll have a completely homebrewed Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition element that you can use in your games. I do take requests so you can either post a comment here, email me at thatrobedguy@hotmail.com with the subject "Homebrew Request", or send me a tweet on Twitter (@brannonhutchins) with the hashtag #weekly4e.

I bet you will never be able to guess which movie I saw this w-AMAZING SPIDER-MAN!

Yes, I braved the outside world to see a movie that would undoubtedly be far superior to the last Spider-Man film (an easy task to accomplish). And with that, I bring a piece of the wall-crawler's universe to your table. I present to you, a staple of the Spider-Man universe and in no way organic: the Web Shooters.

Weekly 4e Homebrew: Cave Swarm

Every Sunday, I'll have a completely homebrewed Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition element that you can use in your games. I do take requests so you can either post a comment here, email me at thatrobedguy@hotmail.com with the subject "Homebrew Request", or send me a tweet on Twitter (@brannonhutchins) with the hashtag #weekly4e.

Sorry about the late article, but I severely blanked when it came time to write. I guess that's a symptom of having moved on from 4th edition to D&D Next play-testing. BUT! The show must go on until D&D Next is officially published.

There was a time when I was planning my Magnum Opus; a campaign to bridge the gap between 4th Edition and the Next Edition. The following was to be in the very first series of encounters: The Cave Swarm Hazard!

Weekly 4e Homebrew: Sleepless Dagger

Every Sunday, I'll have a completely homebrewed Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition element that you can use in your games. I do take requests so you can either post a comment here, email me at thatrobedguy@hotmail.com with the subject "Homebrew Request", or send me a tweet on Twitter (@brannonhutchins) with the hashtag #weekly4e.

I've never really given much thought to cursed items in the past. I've never felt the need to add them to our games, as of yet. So this will be my first attempt at creating one. I present to you, the Sleepless Dagger.