"Even when I was eleven years old, that seemed more fantastic than a ring of invisibility."

Economist Bryan Caplan expounds on the price of magic in AD&D.

JavaScript Confluxer

I rewrote my language confluxer in JavaScript and set it up in a google gadget for embedding. It can be played with on the Heathen's Heartbreaker wiki, and is available under the usual license (see sidebar).

Mythmere was Right

Updated Saving Throw Mechanic:

Characters will frequently face deadly challenges with nothing but sheer luck and resourcefulness to turn to. Almost any calamity the character might be subject to not otherwise subject to some other die roll allows a Saving Throw or Save. To make this check, roll 1d20 and add the character’s HD and a flat bonus of +5. If the result is 20 or higher, the character successfully avoids or mitigates the danger, as adjudicated by the referee. Depending on the circumstances, the referee may assign additional bonuses or penalties to the roll.

Sword & Sorcery Names

I've created a test google gadget that spits out confluxed names from a mix of Arabic and Ancient Greek sources, which works pretty well for hoary, decadent Sword & Sorcery settings, which should be visible to the right of my blog. As usual, the gadget and its output are available under the creative commons license.

100 Confluxed Arthurian Names

From my new confluxor:

Art Cad Meram Lam Voridan Guy Adthes Milmel Arnish Larnis Pedesind Jorth Dale Amr Haraint Conedival Lanstans Din Loth Annet Drience Lucannerp Emede Tomint Leir Eliduke Liot Flaremone Perdries Consterie Hywel Annern Grak Lucans Rie Dint Con Arnowne Gileir Flothert Edwarvis Leomint Gause Gwinas Triencele Liothelie Emedres Causesin Sagdas Melewgon Tom Semagre Ebeleas Garoun Ectors Harouse Nant Rie Liot Dridas Loth Bliangdas Eberp Plas Uth Jors Amrenoric Con Ywaingdan Gileas Tom Gradannec Tal Anne Gauseish Tales Jor Palehadal Ywaint Emervis Clegiseir Hews Uth Lamerens Riesin Ger Ebereth Pilberd Sel Jord Gwint Cheris Lot Mad Pleagrens Cerisons Gracivans Amremagus Condesint Rodegise

Grimrun, the Master of Duels

Grimrun was a legendary wizard that created or refined many spells for use against rival wizards, including the power to break spells or turn them back on their casters.
Grimrun’s appearance is unknown, as he or she only appeared wearing an iron mask and full robes.
In fact, the name “Grimrun” is a pseudonym; his or her true name kept secret so as to avoid giving power to his or her many enemies.

Grimrun’s Treacherous Usurpation

Complexity 3, Range sight, Target single spell, Duration instant, Save none
Effect: a single spell that targets the caster of this spell instead targets the caster of the targeted spell. If this spell is prepared it may be cast as part of a countering attempt, causing it to succeed automatically.

Grimrun’s Cogitive Excruciation

Complexity 2, Range sight, Target single wizard, Duration concentration, Save Discern
Effect: the mind of the targeted wizard is overwhelmed by the power of the spells it contains, causing a burning pain that paralyzes the target for the duration of the spell.

Grimrun’s Grandest Trick

Compexity 3, Range self, Target self, Duration instant, Save Discern
Effect: the caster weaves together a potent spell of death turned inside-out, such that anyone attempting to counter it unwittingly trigger it upon themselves, snuffing out their own lives in an instant. Absent an attempt to counter, it does 1d6 damage to the caster.

Possible new Turning Mechanic

When an attempt is made to banish horrors such as undead, demons, or eldritch beings from other dimensions, roll 2d6 + Faith modifier, plus hit dice if you are a Cleric, versus the monster's morale plus hit dice. If your total is higher, the monster is held at bay by the power of your Faith. If you roll a natural 12 or make a second successful banish roll, the monster turns and flees. On a natural 2, you automatically fail.

New Spell: The Fel Light of Ngah

Fel Light of Ngah (ancient spell)
Complexity 3, Range close, Target self, Duration concentration
This spell conjures the eldritch light of a distant star to be held in the caster's hand. It shines as a lantern, and all things upon which its light falls reveal their auras, allowing all to see as if possessed of the Eyes of the Overworld.

Updates to The Game

• Reduced Rank experience point requirements and monster xp rewards by 90%, thus making the numbers somewhat more manageable and increasing the importance of treasure to advancement. Treasure may in fact be too good now at 1 xp/silver penny: a mark of silver is now enough to make it to Rank 2.
• Eliminated armor soak. I like the effect in principle, but the rule is just too slow in play. The defense bonus from armor has been doubled to compensate. This required a small update to the rules for attacking.
• Added a player advice section to the Combat and Exploration chapter. Advice on player advice would be much appreciated ; - )
• Simplified encounter reaction rolls.
• Clarified evasion rules.
• Clarified heritage attribute bonuses and special abilities.
• Various spelling/grammar fixes.

I'm strongly considering renaming "Banish Horror" (my turn undead equivalent) to "Exorcism". Opinions?

The Efficiency of Two Monitors

My work is not so different than this guy's.