DCC House Rule: Masters of Style

A Warrior may choose to master one or more forms of Mighty Deed of Arms at a cost to all others.  For each Warrior level, the character may choose one strictly defined type of Deed, such as disarming attacks, trips, or parrying to increase his Armour Class.  The Warrior may attempt this Deed with +1d up the dice chain on his Deed Die.  However, for all other Deed attempts, his Deed Die is decreased by –1d on the dice chain. 

Thus, David the Defender wants to be able to use his shield to protect another at 1^st level.  His normal Deed Die is 1d3, so his Deed Die to perform this manuever is 1d4, but he has a mere 1d2 for all other Deed attempts.  The next level, his Deed Die would normally improve to 1d4, but instead is reduced to 1d3.  His attempts to shield others, though, increase to 1d5.  He can choose to have a second special Deed (parrying to defend himself) at 1d4, but that again decreases all Deeds but his signature Deeds to 1d2.

And so on.

Using this rule allows characters to distinguish themselves, so that two Warriors of the same level have different combat styles.  It allows each Warrior to do one thing really well, but at a severe cost in versatility.  In addition to this rule, Warriors are allowed (nay, encouraged!) to “Quest For It” in order to gain a bonus to specific types of fighting without accepting such drastic penalties for so doing.

NOTE:  Any class may be allowed to make a Faustian bargain of this sort, becoming better at one particular thing at the cost of much, much more.  If you want your Thief to be better at climbing by taking the same penalty to every other Thief skill, we can talk.

Multi-Classing DCC Style: Half Levels

At least one of my players would like a multi-classing option, and I am inclined to be obliging, but the nature of the DCC RPG seems (to me) to preclude easy multi-classing. I certainly don't want a character to take one level of each class, and then get all of the resultant benefits! But, it has been pointed out to me that a character like Conan or Tarzan would be better modelled by allowing some form of multi-classing. Also, of course, there is the desire of some to play an Elf Wizard or a Halfling Warrior.

So, what I am planning on doing is this: I am going to write a half-level progression for all of the human classes. If you are a Halfling, and you want to be a Warrior, your first level only gains you the benefits of the half-level. Likewise, if you are a human Warrior and you want to practice thievery as well, you can take a half-level in Thief. After the half-level, you may use another advancement to gain the full 1st level benefits of the Thief class.

In other words, I am envisioning that one could have a third level character who was a Warrior 1/Cleric 1, who has 3 full Hit Dice, and who can then progress as either a Warrior or Cleric without further difficulties. A character two wished to have three classes would have to be 5th level before he was 1st level in all three classes.

I am not envisioning demi-human half levels, because the demi-human levels are the base and should come naturally. Also, the half-level fee would be paid before multi-classing into the demi-human class, as described above.  There will probably be limitations to classes allowed demi-humans as well, in order to better follow the Appendix N feel of DCC.  For example, no Elf Clerics!

If there is interest in this idea, I will write it up for Crawl!. It is certainly going to be playtested in my home campaign.

Patrons & Projects V: Draft Version of Logos

It is with great pleasure that I announce Angels, Daemons, and Beings Between has hit its primary goal.  As promised, I rolled 1d3, and Logos, the Perfect Form is now being revealed in all of his draft version glory.  If you have comments on Logos, I would be pleased to hear them!  Those who know the work of A. Merritt may recognize in Logos an homage to The Metal Monster (serialized in 1920, appearing in book form in 1940, and a "sequel" of sorts to The Moon Pool).

When we hit $3,000, I'll roll 1d2 to choose between Radu, King of Rabbits, and Lavarial, Angel of the Temple.

And now, with no further ado:

Logos, the Perfect Form
Logos is a metallic life form from a distant world that passes between the stars.  His is a towering geometric form composed of cones, cubes, and discs, with glittering points of lights across his surface, looking like gems embedded deep in metal, which coruscates with electromagnetic force.  His world is a place of perfect planes and angles, like a metallic jewel of twenty facets, which moves through the cosmos feeding off the energy of suns.  When Logos looked across the cosmos in the long ago, he was at first amused by the “mistakes of creation” he saw – the many imperfect forms, the pain and anguish, love and joy, and the roiling Chaos of living things.  Even the stars and planets in their wheeling geometry did not seem so perfect as the world of Logos, moving serenely through existence.  After a time, amusement turned to discomfort, and discomfort, in its turn, turned to a form of alien disgust and hatred of all that is not perfect in its behaviour and geometry. If the Scions of Logos make inroads into a world, they begin syphoning off its solar radiation to power themselves.  They do this in a great ceremonial rite, sending a beam of black energy to the sun, which lashes back with a powerful energy wave that empowers the colony.  If interrupted, this ceremony can lead to a coruscation of great energy with disastrous results – both for the colony and for any creatures within the immediate area.  If these rites continue long enough, it seems at first as though the world’s sun is experiencing more than normal sunspot activity.  The rites wound the sun, though, and over centuries of time it will eventually begin to dim, putting out less and less light, until it becomes a blackened cinder floating through the cosmos.  Long before that, organic life on the planet will be destroyed, and the planet will become a perfect replica of Logos’ world.  At this point, the Scions of Logos move on, seeking another place to transform, and another star to suck dry.  Then they repeat the process.  In effect, the Scions of Logos are like a swarming, macroscopic virus of Law, seeking to end disorder everywhere at any cost.  Logos, and the Scions of Logos, may work with living creatures from time to time, because doing so amuses them, and because doing so helps them to understand the worlds they find themselves upon.  They may respect, obey, and even love the organic creatures they bond with, but in the end it matters not.  The Perfect Form and his Scions are not to be corrupted by the creatures they have come to change or destroy.  When Scions of Logos are invoked or otherwise encountered, use the following statistics.  If the judge desires, he can also create greater, or more individualized, Scions.  Scions come in several sizes, from tiny Scions no more than 1 cubic inch in size to enormous Scions 15 feet across.  They may be spheres, pyramids, or cubes (which affects appearance, but not statistics).  Scions may link to each other with a strange form of directional magnetism that allows them to merge seamlessly and separate just as easily.  Because of this, conglomerations of Scions may have any specific shape that the judge can imagine.  For example, even though tiny Scions have no effective attacks on their own, enough of them could form into a shape that has effective lashing attacks.  Likewise, Scions can work together to create bridges, walls, and buildings made of their own bodies. Scions are not made of iron, or iron-based metals, and so do not do additional damage to elves.  They are made of a thin layer of metal, and are hollow within.  Scions are therefore far lighter than their apparent size and material would suggest. All Scions are in constant telepathic communication with every other Scion within 50 miles, forming a sort of communal mind.  Despite this, each Scion is capable of individuation.  It is actually possible to have two Wizards, both with Logos as a patron, using Scions to counter each other….because of the communal intelligence of the Scions, these “battles” may take place entirely within the field of the mind, or may be physically sped up in a series of moves and counter-moves. In addition, Scions can manipulate objects using this directional magnetism with fine motor control, as though by telekinesis.  The range at which this control can be exerted, and the Strength check needed to resist it, depends upon the Scion’s size.  If a Scion’s directional magnetism extends far enough, it can lift and drop a being, or “throw” it for falling damage equal to its range.  It must use one of its Action Dice to do so.  See the stat blocks below for more information: Tiny Scion:  Init +8; Atk none; AC 20; HD 1d8; HP 4; MV 10’; Act 1d12; SP directional magnetism 2 inches range Str DC 2 resists, ½ damage from non-magical weapons, communal mind, infravision 30’; SV Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +2; AL L.  Approximately 1 inch across or diameter, weighing ½ lb. Small Scion:    Init +6; Atk 1 strike (1d3); AC 18; HD 2d8; HP 8; MV 20’; Act 1d16; SP directional magnetism 8 inches range Str DC 8 resists, ½ damage from non-magical weapons, communal mind, infravision 60’; SV Fort +6, Ref +3, Will +4; AL L.  Approximately 1 foot across or diameter, weighing 25 lb. Average Scion:  Init +4; Atk 1 strike (1d6); AC 18; HD 4d8; HP 16; MV 30’; Act 1d20; SP directional magnetism 2’ range Str DC 14 resists, ½ damage from non-magical weapons, communal mind, infravision 60’; SV Fort +8, Ref +3, Will +6; AL L.  Approximately 5 feet across or diameter, weighing 250 lb. Large Scion:  Init +4; Atk 1 strike (2d5); AC 16; HD 8d8; HP 32; MV 30’; Act 2d20; SP directional magnetism 10’ range Str DC 20 resists, ½ damage from non-magical weapons, communal mind, infravision 60’; SV Fort +10, Ref +2, Will +8; AL L.  Approximately 10 feet across or diameter, weighing 700 lb. Huge Scion:  Init +2; Atk 1 strike (2d7) or 1 electrical bolt 15’ range (4d8, Rfl DC 10 half); AC 14; HD 16d8; HP 64; MV 20’; Act 3d20; SP directional magnetism 20’ range Str DC 24 resists, ½ damage from non-magical weapons, communal mind, infravision 90’; SV Fort +14, Ref +0, Will +12; AL L.  Approximately 15 feet across or diameter, weighing 1,100 lb. The ceremony to bond with Logos must take place in an area where his Scions are already active, or in some deserted and lonely place where his creatures may establish a presence.  Within 1d5 weeks of the ceremony, the first tiny Scions of Logos will appear (usually 2d7 in number).
Invoke Patron check results:
12-13	The Perfect Form causes a swarm of tiny Scions to appear, that wrap themselves around the caster to protect him from harm.  The Scions do not attack, but grant the caster +2 to Armour Class for 2d6 rounds.  At the end of this time, the tiny Scions scatter to begin the formation of a new colony (which takes 1d10 centuries to arise).  Alternatively, the Scions may be destroyed to automatically grant the caster a successful Reflex or Fort save against an attack where such a sacrifice would be appropriate (i.e., a fiery breath weapon, but not an ingested or gaseous poison).
14-17	A swarm of tiny Scions erupts from the ground in the centre of the caster’s foes, forming itself into a spinning Shape of lashing metal blades in 1d3 rounds.  Every creature within a 30’ radius takes 1d8 points of damage each round, and must make a Reflex save (DC 15) or be knocked prone.  The Shape can move at 10’ per round, as directed by the caster.  It remains for 1d4+CL rounds, or until 20 points of area-effect damage is inflicted upon it.  If the tiny Scions survive, they scatter at the end of this time, and begin the formation of a new colony (which takes 1d10 centuries to arise).
18-19	Logos manifests a bolt of electricity through the caster, striking any one target of the caster’s choice within 100’.  The bolt does 4d6 damage (Fort DC 20 half), but being used as a conduit in this way forces the caster to make a Fort save (DC 10) or be exhausted (–2 penalty to all attack rolls, skill checks, and spell checks, and –10’ to movement) until he can rest for at least 5 minutes.
20-23	Logos sends 3d3 small Scions to aid the caster.  They arrive in 1d4 rounds and obey the caster implicitly for a period of 1d6+CL hours.  The small Scions can link together to form other shapes, as directed by the caster.  This allows them to create bridges, walls, etc.  They are all (1) pyramids, (2) spheres, or (3) cubes.  When released from service, they begin the formation of a colony, which will be manifest in 1d10 decades.
24-27	Logos sends 3d6 small Scions to aid the caster.  They arrive in 1d3 rounds and obey the caster implicitly for a period of 1d6+CL hours.  The small Scions can link together to form other shapes, as directed by the caster.  They are all (1) pyramids, (2) spheres, or (3) cubes.  When released from service, they begin the formation of a colony, which will be manifest in 1d10 decades.
28-29	Logos sends 2d6 average Scions to aid the caster.  They arrive in 1d3 rounds and obey the caster implicitly for a period of 2d6+CL hours.  The average Scions can link together to form other shapes, as directed by the caster.  They are all (1) pyramids, (2) spheres, or (3) cubes.  When released from service, they begin the formation of a colony, which will be manifest in 1d10 years.
30-31	Logos sends 3d5 small and 2d6 average Scions to aid the caster.  They arrive in 1d2 rounds and obey the caster implicitly for a period of 2d6+CL hours.  The Scions can link together to form other shapes – including complex Shapes capable of acting as a single weapon – as directed by the caster.  They can form together a single huge Shape capable of causing 8d8 points of damage against a single target, or 1d8 points of damage each round against all targets in a 60’ radius.  Roll 1d6:  (1-4) The Scions are of mixed types, (5-6) They are all (1) pyramids, (2) spheres, or (3) cubes.  When released from service, they begin the formation of a colony, which will be manifest in 1d10 months.
32+	A colony of the Scions of Logos forms on the spot.  It consists of 3d100 tiny Scions, 3d30 small Scions, 3d24 average Scions, 3d16 large Scions, and 3d3 huge Scions.  The colony is formed of buildings, pathways, and other structures, all created from the bodies of the Scions themselves.  The colony seeks to aid the caster and his allies, but does so under control of the huge scions rather than the caster.  The caster, but not his allies, can communicate freely with the Scions of the colony, which are all considered to be helpful to the caster.  A colony is always of mixed pyramids, spheres, and cubes.  The colony becomes a permanent feature of the campaign milieu, and is always friendly to the caster, and to whatever allies are currently in the company of the caster.  Other living things, however, are vermin to be wiped out.  Unless something interferes, the established colony will grow, to the great detriment of all other things within its reach.

Patron Taint:  Logos, The Perfect Form
Why Logos is interested in mortal spell casters are all remains a mystery.  Some say that it is through their invocation of the Perfect Form that Logos gains a foothold on the various worlds his Scions have colonized in his name.  Whatever the case may be, those mortals who associate with Logos eventually become little more than the Scions he commands.  When patron taint is indicated, roll 1d6 and consult the table below.  When a caster has acquired all six taints at all levels of effect, there is no need to continue rolling anymore.
Roll	Result
1	Hollow on the Inside:  The caster takes on his patron’s indifference toward human life, becoming ever more calm and unconcerned about the mortal affairs going on around him.  Each time this taint is rolled, the caster’s Personality is reduced by –1.  When this taint is acquired a third time, the caster withdraws from the world, and can only become concerned with events that involve himself or his patron.
2	Metal on the Outside:  When this taint is first acquired, the caster’s hair takes on a metallic sheen, as though silver or gold.  When gained a second time, the caster’s eyes become metallic orbs.  When gained a third time, the caster’s skin becomes metallic, increasing his Armour Class by +2, but reducing his Agility by 1.
3	Magnetic Influence:  The first time this is rolled, the caster’s hair moves as though by a wind even when the air is calm, being gently wafted by lines of magnetic force.  The second time this is rolled, the caster’s eyes reflect a myriad of tiny whirling sparks, like galaxies in miniature.  The third time this patron taint is rolled, the caster gains the ability to manipulate objects magnetically at a range of up to 10’, as though he were actually handling them.  This is exhausting to the caster, and he takes 1 point of temporary Stamina damage each round he does so.
4	Perfection of Form:  When this taint is first acquired, all blemishes and irregularities in the caster’s physical form are smoothed away.  Although the caster becomes unearthly in his beauty, he becomes obviously alien in his perfection, and his Personality is not increased.  If this taint is acquired a second time, the caster becomes clearly inhuman as every irregularity in his form is smoothed away, becoming instead a collection of cylindrical, spherical, and pyramidal Shapes brought together into a single body.  The caster effectively appears like a rough mannequin in humanoid form.  If this taint is rolled a third time, the caster takes the form of an average Scion (including its ability to strike for 1d6 damage, its Armour Class of 18, its directional magnetism, ½ damage from non-magical weapons, infravision, size, and weight.  The caster’s form is a (1) pyramid, (2) sphere, or (3) cube.
5	Submission to the Communal Mind:  Once this patron taint is acquired, the caster becomes aware of the communal mind of the Scions of Logos, and is in turns bullied and cajoled to surrender himself to it.  The first time this taint is rolled, the caster must succeed in a DC 10 Will save, or Logos will control his actions for 1d6 hours, leaving only vague impressions of what was done during that time.  The second time it is rolled, the caster must succeed in a DC 15 Will save, or Logos will control his actions for 2d6 months, and the caster will have no idea what was done during that time.  The third and final time this is rolled, the caster must succeed in a DC 20 Will save, or Logos will control his actions forever.
6	Colonial Expansion:  Once Logos has taken root in a world, he seeks to establish colonies of his Scions, first in lonely areas far from mortal habitation, then in more populated regions.  When this taint is rolled, Logos demands that the caster seed a nascent colony for him at the site of his choosing.  When this taint is first rolled, the caster must travel for 4d4 weeks to reach the place of Logos’ choosing, and it is in a dangerous wilderness.  This colony will not become truly active for 1d100 years.  The next time this taint is rolled, the caster must travel only 4d4 days to a borderland region chosen by Logos between civilization and the wilderness.  This colony will become active in 1d10 years.  The final time Logos makes this demand, the caster must travel only 4d4 hours, and the colony will become active in 1d12 months.  These active colonies are friendly to the caster and his immediate allies (when they are in his presence), but a danger to everything else.

Patron Spells:  Logos, the Perfect Form

Logos grants three unique spells, as follows:

Level 1:  Directional Magnetism

Level 2:  Energy Play

Level 3:  Solar Vampirism

Spellburn:  Logos, the Perfect Form
The inhuman intelligence of the Perfect Form neither enjoys nor turns away from suffering, but his hatred of the grotesque human form shows most clearly in spellburn.  When a caster utilizes spellburn, roll 1d4 and consult the following table or build off the suggestions to create an event specific to your home campaign.
Roll	Spellburn Result
1	Through the mind of Logos, the caster can see the true horror of his physical form.  The caster cuts his flesh in an unsuccessful attempt to remove the irregular lumps and protruding grotesquery of his body.  The damage inflicted is expressed in Strength, Stamina, or Agility loss.
2	The great disgust Logos feels for the human form is fully manifest.  The caster gains only 1 point of spellburn for every 2 ability points spent.
3	Logos is disinterested in the changes to the caster’s body.  The mutilations are no better than what he was before.  Logos grants 2 points of spellburn for every point of Strength, Stamina, or Agility lost….but the caster cannot spellburn again today.
4	Coruscating waves of electrical power wash through the caster as his mind makes contact with the Perfect Form.  The searing pain of these waves manifests as Strength, Agility, or Stamina loss.

Directional Magnetism
Level:  1 (Logos)	Range:  Varies	Duration: 2d4+CL rounds	Casting time:  1 action	Save:  Varies (see text)
General	The caster creates waves of directional “magnetism” of the same type that the Scions of Logos use, which can affect even organic and non-ferrous materials.  Each round that the spell remains in effect, the caster may select any effect equal to his spell check or below.
Manifestation	Roll 1d3:  (1) The caster’s hair waves in a non-existent breeze and miniature galaxies whirl in his eyes as the spell effect occurs, (2) Nearly-visible waves of force coruscate from the caster, like heat shimmering off of pavement, or (3) The caster’s eyes glow with a bright light while the spell take effect, and the hair of every creature within 30’ stands on end from the waves of magnetism.
1	Lost, failure, and patron taint.
2-11	Failure.  Lost.
12-15	Summon Object:  The caster may summon any one object within 30’, which is drawn instantly to his hand via directional magnetism.  The object cannot be more than about 50 lbs. in weight.  If the object is in another creature’s possession, it is allowed a Strength check (DC 10) to retain possession of the object.
16-17	Hold:  Directional magnetism roots the feet of one creature to the ground for 1d3 rounds, requiring a Strength check (DC 15) to break free.  The target may attempt a Strength check with any of its Action Dice.  While stuck, its Armour Class and attack rolls are reduced by –2 and its Reflex saves are reduced by –4.
18-21	Shield:  Directional magnetism creates a shield around the caster, deflecting missile weapons and melee attacks.  The caster gains a +4 bonus to Armour Class vs. ranged weapons and a +2 bonus to Armour Class vs. melee attacks.
22-23	Buffet:  The caster uses directional magnetism to make one strike per CL with small objects, such as stones, each strike doing 1d6 damage (Reflex save DC 15 half).  Range is 100’.
24-26	Draw:  The caster draws another creature or an object weighing up to 500 lbs. towards himself, dragging it 10’ per round with waves of directional magnetism.  A creature can resist being pulled each round with a DC 20 Strength check.  Range is 100’.
27-31	Push:  The caster can pull or push a creature or an object weighing up to 1,000 lbs. in any direction, dragging it at a rate of 10’ per round.  A creature can resist moving each round with a DC 25 Strength check.  Range is 100’
32+	Fine Manipulation:  The caster can manipulate an object or objects up to 30’ away as though he were actually manipulating them with his hands.  This allows the caster to potentially open doors, pick locks, untie ropes, etc.  If a skill check is involved, the caster is treated as though he were actually there, unless it is beneficial to the check that he is not (for example, in an attempt to pick a pocket).  In cases where being there is normally a hindrance, the caster gains a +4 bonus.

Energy Play
Level:  2 (Logos)	Range:  100’	Duration:  Instantaneous	Casting time:  1 action	Save:  Fort or Reflex vs. spell check (see text)
General	The greatest Scions of Logos create and throw balls and bolts of electromagnetic energy around as play.  This electromagnetic energy is also part of the thought processes of the communal mind – any creature who is reduced to 0 hit points by this spell and survives may make a DC 20 Luck check.  If the creature survives, it gains insight into Logos and his creatures, and gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls, skill checks, and spell checks against them for a period of 1d5 days.
Manifestation	Arcing rays of electromagnetic force, balls or electricity, or sheets of lightning, as per the descriptions below.  Roll 1d5 to determine colour:  (1) blue-white, (2) golden, (3) silver-white, (4) greenish-yellow, or (5) sizzling yellow-red.
1	Lost, failure, and patron taint.
2-11	Lost.  Failure.
12-15	Failure, but the spell is not lost.
16-17	An arc of electromagnetic force leaps from the caster to one target, which takes 1d8+CL damage.  Additionally, the target must make a Fort save vs. the spell check result of be stunned and unable to act for 1d3 rounds.
18-21	The caster creates 2 balls of electricity, which he may send to the same or separate targets. Each ball causes 2d8+CL damage (Reflex save for half damage).
22-23	The caster creates a sheet of lightning in a 45-degree arc in front of him, out to a range of 100’.  Every creature in the area suffers 1+CL points of damage and must make a Fort save or fall prone and be stunned for 1d5 rounds.  There is a 50% chance that stunned creatures drop any object held.
24-26	Three arcs of electromagnetic force leap from the caster to up to three targets, each bolt causing 1d12+CL damage.  Each bolt causes the target to make a Fort save vs. the spell check or be stunned and unable to act for 1d5 rounds.  A creature so stunned has a 50% chance to drop any held item.
27-31	Electrostatic shock travels through the ground to strike all foes within 100’ of the caster.  Each enemy within range takes 2d8 points of damage as arcing rays erupt from the ground around it, and is automatically stunned and unable to act for 1 round.  Enemies who fail a Fort save vs. the spell check are stunned an additional 1d5 rounds, and have a 50% chance of dropping any held items.  Foes that are not touching the ground (such as flying enemies) are not affected.
32-33	The caster creates 2d4 balls of electricity, which he may send against the same or separate targets.  Each ball causes 3d8+CL damage (Reflex save for half).  If the target fails its save, it has a 50% chance of dropping any held item as searing electrical pain races through its body.
34+	Six arcs of electromagnetic force leap from the caster to up to six targets, each bolt causing 1d16+CL damage.  Each bolt stuns its target for one round (so a creature struck by six bolts is automatically stunned for six rounds).  A Fort save vs. the spell check must be made for each bolt, or the target will be stunned and unable to act for an additional 1d7 rounds per failed save.  A creature stunned for additional time has a 50% chance to drop any held item.

Solar Vampirism
Level:  3 (Logos)	Range:  Self	Duration:  Varies	Casting time:  1 turn	Save:  None
General	As the Perfect Form and his Scions gain energy from the sun, with this spell, so too can the caster.  Depending upon the spell check result, the caster may gain nourishment, regain lost spells, heal himself, or even use solar energy to power his spells.  This spell must be cast only under a bright sun, and thus cannot be used when the sky is overcast, at night, indoors, or underground.  Solar vampirism requires a minimum of 1 point of spellburn, which affects the spell check normally.
Manifestation	The manifestation is visible only to those observing the casting or in the immediate vicinity.  Roll 1d6:  (1) A green ray shoots forth from the caster, striking the sun, and a golden ray rebounds back to the caster, making the sun seem momentarily darker where the first ray struck, (2) The sun seems to flicker for an instant after the spell is cast, (3) Dark clouds seem to roll across the actual surface of the sun, (4) a wave of heat, followed by a wave of cold, emanates from the caster, (5) The caster’s colouration seems momentarily inverted, like a photographic negative, (6) The caster is bathed in golden light, while the sun seems to go temporarily dimmer.
1	Failure, lost, and patron taint.
2-11	Failure.  Lost.
12-15	Failure, but the spell is not lost.
16-17	The caster gains nourishment from the sun, and does not need to eat or drink for the next 1d4+CL days due to the energy so gained.  The sun’s overall lifespan is reduced by 1d5 days, but as stars measure their lives in aeons, this probably has little impact on the campaign world.
18-21	As above, plus the caster has the ability to restore one lost spell.  If he does so, the sun’s overall lifespan is reduced by 1d3 x spell level years.  This probably has little impact on the campaign world.
22-23	As above, plus the caster may heal 1d4 x CL hit points of damage to himself.  Doing so reduces the sun’s overall lifespan by 1d6 decades, but this probably has little impact on the campaign world.
24-26	As above, plus the caster may purge himself of all diseases and poisons, and heal 1d8 points of ability score damage.  Doing so reduces the sun’s overall lifespan by 2d10 decades.
27-31	As above, plus the caster may heal himself of all damage (hit point, ability score, or otherwise), broken bones, and other damage that would normally heal over time.  Doing so reduces the sun’s overall lifespan by 1d6 centuries, an amount that might be noticeable on worlds with old suns.
32-33	As above, plus the caster may regenerate lost limbs, eyes, etc..  Doing so reduces the sun’s overall lifespan by 1d6 x 10 centuries, an amount that will probably be noticeable on worlds with old suns.  On a dying world, where the star is near the end of its lifespan, this may be enough to make the sun go dark.
34-35	As above, plus the caster may store solar energy to fuel spells.  The caster may gain up to 8 points to use in this manner, and they may be retained until used.  These points act exactly like spellburn, except that the character suffers no ability score loss, and need not roll to determine the nature of the spellburn.  Doing so reduces the sun’s overall lifespan by 1,000 years per point so attained.  On a dying world, where the star is near the end of its lifespan, this may be enough to make the sun go dark.
36+	The caster gains all of the benefits listed above, but the sun is not appreciably damaged by his theft of solar radiation.

Using Patrons in the Dungeon Crawl Classics Role-Playing Game

It is difficult to claim that any facet of the jewel that is the Dungeon Crawl Classics is shinier than any other facet, but there can be little doubt that patrons shine a bit more brightly for being new, interesting, and (perhaps) underrepresented in the core rulebook.  

Patrons are supernatural beings that are willing to bargain with mortals, trading magical power for service.  Potential new patrons repeatedly show up in Dungeon Crawl Classics adventures (both official and third-party publisher adventures), but as of this writing, none of these adventures include a full write-up for a patron.  I have been working on many patrons for the upcoming Angels, Daemons, and Beings Between sourcebook, and I have given patrons a lot of consideration in recent months.

It is important to remember that all patrons are unique.  When devising new patrons for your home milieu, consider making changes to how the Patron Bond and Invoke Patron spells work in relation to that patron.  For example, Yallafial, Queen of the Birds, has a wavering attention span that varies between automatic failure when she is invoked to a +6 bonus on the spell check roll!  Likewise, spells do not all have to be equally useful, nor do they all have to be useful in combat.  Flavour is the most important consideration here; the spells must match the patron.

The core rulebook suggests that every patron has three spells, one each of levels 1, 2, and 3.  This is certainly a way to go, and is a good way to create most patrons, but you need not follow this scheme slavishly.  Some patrons may allow more spells; others may allow less.  It is easy to imagine a patron with three 1^st level spells in addition to one 2^nd and one 3^rd level spell.  All the judge need do is make certain that there is a cost somewhere else to balance out this generosity – for example, especially harsh spellburn results or patron taint.

If you are considering patrons to be just a “Wizard thing”, you are selling them short.  The core rulebook discusses using patrons with Wizards and Elves, and gives a nod to other classes in the text of the Patron Bond spell.  In addition it notes that powerful supernatural beings can affect the Luck of those who aid or oppose them. 

Patrons are among the supernatural beings meddling in the affairs of the world.  The judge is well advised to know what they want, if not how they intend to get it, and use patrons to spur adventures.  Even if no one in the group has a patron, these supernatural beings are interested in moving PCs and powerful NPCs like pieces on a multi-dimensional chessboard, seeking to win advantage against other equally powerful beings.  

The relationship between patron and adventurers need not always be the result of a PC Wizard or Elf seeking out the patron.  The patron may well seek out the PCs.  Indeed, the patron may direct an NPC Wizard to cast Patron Bond to tie willing PCs to that patron’s cause, whether they know the spell or not.

Likewise, PCs may find themselves opposing one potential patron while unknowingly aiding another in a game whose rules they don’t fully understand.  This sort of action happens quite often in Appendix N fiction, and is quite appropriate in the DCC rpg.

For more ideas on using patrons in DCC adventures, consider the following:

The Portal Under the Stars (Joseph Goodman):  core rulebook, pp. 452-456.  The entire action of the adventure, as well as the site itself, may be considered the result of a patron’s actions long ago.

DCC #68 People of the Pit (Joseph Goodman):   Includes the most fully developed “patron” outside the core rulebook at this time.

DCC #70 Jewels of the Carnifex (Harley Stroh):  Includes a potential patron (which must be developed by the judge to be used as such), and the action of the module revolves around higher supernatural powers.

SC-1 Perils of the Sunken City (Jon Marr):  Excellent use of an interesting potential patron, and the rivalry between patrons is directly responsible for the scenario encountered.  Again, the judge must develop the patron(s) involved before they can be used by PCs.

SC-2 The Ooze Pits of Jonas Gralk (Jon Marr):  Again, this module supplies the judge with the bare bones of two potential patrons, both of which demand more information, and the action is driven by their interactions with mortals. 

These are certainly not the only DCC adventures to deal with patrons, but they are adventures that show how it may be done in various ways and with interesting effect.  Frankly, if Purple Sorcerer Games ever decided to put out a Sunken City Sourcebook (with an overview, some adventure hooks, NPCs, and full patron information), I would snap it up in a heartbeat!

(From Purple Duck Games, look for Paul Wolfe's AL-2 Sepulchre of the Mountain God for two more potential patrons.  Somnos, in my own upcoming Through the Cotillion of Hours would also make an excellent patron, although he is not detailed in that form in the module....another task for a future post or product!)

In conclusion, try to remember that patrons are not just for spellcasters.  And try to make your patrons proactive as well as reactive within the campaign milieu.  As Elric’s foe, Theleb K’aarna, learned to his regret, it is not just casters who drop patrons – patrons also drop casters who fail in their tasks.  And Elric’s not being bonded to the powers of Law didn’t stop Donblas the Justice-Maker from aiding him in Nadoskor. 

The more fully realized your patrons, the more they influence your campaign world, and the more that world comes to life.  It’s part of the genius of the system, and a very bright facet among the many bright facets which make Dungeon Crawl Classics my personal role-playing game of choice.