d20Zine 01.pdf

Volume 1, June 2002

d20Zine - June 2002

Page 20

Volume 1, June 2002

d20Zine!

Volume 1, June 2002

A quarterly magazine established to be an Open Content re-

source for GameMasters and fans who use the d20 Rules Gaming

System. Produced by the design team of the d20 Magazine Rack

(www.d20zines.com) and the following contributing authors: Mark

Chance, Jeff Craigmile, Steven Creech, Johnn Four, Jeffrey Fuller,

Mark Howe, Brain Olsen, Steven Peterson and Kevin Ruesch.

Editor: Steven Creech

Graphic Layout: Todd Schumacher

Cover Art: Michael Loh

attempt at what is hopefully a long-term project providing

quality resource material for players and GameMasters

alike who utilize the d20 gaming system. Collected in the pages of

our irst issue is an eclectic series of articles that cover topics such

as new character races, monsters, prestige classes, and GM resource

articles. In addition, there are a few reoccurring feature articles that

you will see with each issue.

Approximately once every three months, it is our intention to pub-

lish a new issue of d20Zine! The success of this electronic magazine

will depend largely on the people who contribute articles, iction,

and artwork to be published as a part of the magazine. I encour-

age anyone who wants to get into the professional end of writing

for role-playing games to send in their material. This magazine is a

perfect platform for getting your work noticed by various publishers

in the industry (believe me when I say that there are several who visit

the d20 Magazine Rack on a regular basis).

The role-playing game industry is probably as hot as it’s ever been.

Despite claims of lackluster or even poor earnings, each month sees

the release of product after product. Often these products will

overlap in subject matter such as the recently released Shaman class

books by both Green Ronin Publishing and Mongoose Publishing.

The development and consequent opening of the d20 system to

other publishers is forcing companies to continually improve their

products in order to remain competitive. This is a boon to the con-

sumer, for he can be selective in what he chooses to add to his collec-

tion. He can compare which naval supplement suits his campaign,

for example, without being forced to buy one that is poor quality

just because only one publisher owns the rights to a speciic gaming

system and therefore, it’s the only book available.

Everyone seems to love Top xx lists in America. I suspect David

Letterman has a lot to do with the obsession with lists that folks tend

to have. Travel anywhere and I am willing to bet that there is a Top

xx list readily visible or heard over the radio. Well, in the spirit of

Top xx lists, I give you my top 5 picks for best naval supplement and

best city supplement.

Table of Contents:

Page Article Title

02 The Gamer’s Corner by Steven Creech

03 Computers in Dragonstar by Mark Howe

08 Rational Animals by Steven Peterson

12 Are Your World’s Races Just Humans With Different Bumps On

Their Foreheads? by Johnn Four

13 Counterspelling Revisited by Brian Olsen

16 Making Monsters by Mark Chance

18 The Martial Master: An Alternative Path for the Standard Monk

by Kevin Ruesch

19 Dues Ex Machina - the Art of Saving the Game by Brian Olsen

21 d20 Magazine Rack Contest Winner - Talyn by Kevin Ruesch

21 d20 Magazine Rack Contest Winner - Kanker’s Monkeys by Jef-

frey Fuller

23 Soul Ship Prestige Class for Dragonstar by Mark Howe

25 “Oh, my aching head!” - The Pros and Cons of Incorporating

Psionics into Your Campaign by Kevin Ruesch

26 d20 Magazine Rack Contest Runner-up - Il’rokke by Kevin

Ruesch

26 d20 Magazine Rack Contest Runner-up - Mercurial by Mark

Chance

30 Ad Hoc Encounters - Goblin Hunting Party by Steven Peterson

33 The Gradebook - Raskia by Jeff Craigmile

34 Elemental Alchemist Prestige Class by Steven Creech

35 Around the Corner by Steven Creech

37 The Critic’s Corner by Steven Creech

38 Open Gaming License

“Requires the use of the Dungeons & Dragons® Player’s Handbook, Third Edition,

and the Psionics Handbook, published by Wizards of the Coast®

“Dungeons & Dragons® and Wizards of the Coast® are Registered Trademarks of

Wizards of the Coast, and are used with Permission.”

“Dragonstar® is a registered trademark of Fantasy Flight Games, and is used with

Permission.”

‘d20 System’ and the ‘d20 System’ logo are Trademarks owned by Wizards of the Coast

and are used according to the terms of the d20 System License version 3.0. A copy of

this License can be found at www.wizards.com .

d20Zine! is sponsored in part by ( www.frpgames.com ).

Best Naval Supplement:

1. Broadsides! (Living Imagination, Inc.)

2. Seafarer’s Handbook (Fantasy Flight Games)

3. Seas of Blood (Mongoose Publishing)

4. Twin Crowns: Age of Exploration Fantasy (Living Imagination, Inc)

5. Ships of the Elves (Mongoose Publishing)

Best City Supplement:

1. Freeport: City of Adventure (Green Ronin Publishing)

2. Bluffside: City on the Edge (Thunderhead Games)

3. City Guide I: Everyday Life (Dark Quest Games)

4. Seven Cities (Atlas Games)

5. Seven Strongholds (Atlas Games)

Be sure to drop by the d20 Magazine Rack (www.d20zines.com) and

get signed up for the new discussion forums and boards. You may

ind the forum at (http://www.d20zines.com/forum/YaBB.cgi).

There you will ind a growing community of gamers devoted to hav-

ing fun and keeping abreast of current gaming products and new

releases...

Enjoy the premier issue of d20Zine! Let us know what you like or

didn’t like about the magazine by either leaving a message on the fo-

rum boards or emailing me at S_Creech@d20zines.com and letting

me know your comments. All comments and letters will be included

in our next issue (even if they are bad)...

Sincerely,

Steven Creech

Executive Chairman, d20 Magazine Rack

Editor, d20Zine!

d20Zine

Page 1

W elcome to the premier issue of d20Zine! This is our irst

The Gamer’s Corner

article series of d20Zine! This column is merely an ex-

tension of the one that I pen on the d20 Magazine Rack

website. For this issue, I am evaluating several different miniatures

offered by Wizards of the Coast (www.wizards.com). These minia-

tures come from both the Chainmail line and the oficial Dungeons

& Dragons brand line.

First up are the Chainmail igurines...

• The Drow Warrior from Set 2 (Mercenaries) is an excellent

example of a quality miniature. The attention to detail is awe-

some on this guy! Here we have a chainmail armored warrior

holding a crossbow at full extension ready to shoot his op-

ponent with one hand, while holding a buckler with a blade

forged to it with the other. There is an insignia of a spider on

the face of the shield and a sort of half cape dangles from his

back. The individual links of armor can be seen along with his

facial features even though they are partially hidden by a pro-

tective helm. Not only do you not see the mold lines, but there

is also no lash to shave off either. The only part you have to

watch is the crossbow because the tips are a bit fragile. I wish all

miniatures were done this well.

• The Owlbear from Set 1 (Drazen’s Horde) is also a good

piece. It comes in three pieces, the main body and two arms,

and is deinitely a formidable sight. This is a large and heavy

miniature and will require some sturdy glue or bonding agent.

Again, the detail is excellent with an emphasis on the presence

of both fur and feathers. There is no lash or mold lines to

shave from this piece either.

• The Otyugh from Set 2 (Mercenaries) is another large piece

that comes in many pieces. This one requires a bit of work

and patience to secure all of the legs and the tentacles in place

properly. A fast bonding agent is deinitely needed here. The

attention to detail is good especially with the mouth region.

You see not only teeth, but a tongue and gullet also. This eat-

ing machine is ready to chomp your favorite character. There

is some minimal lash that will need trimming, but where it is

located is not an issue.

• The Crazed Cultist Minotaur from Set 2 (Ahmut’s Horde) is a

mostly intact piece. The only part that needs attached is the

head, but it is a tricky thing to do. The hole in the back of the

head that slides onto the peg needs to be hollowed out more

in order to achieve a good clean it. This minotaur carries a

huge greataxe that will cleave his opponents in half. A nice

detail that adds to his fearsomeness is the presence of human

skulls dangling at the end of braids in his massive mane. There

is some lash and it will require some careful cleaning so the

detail isn’t damaged.

• The Ogre Delver from Set 2 (Drazen’s Horde) comes in three

pieces, the main body and two hands holding axes. This is an-

other large piece that symbolizes the size of ogres. Attaching

the hands will take a lot of patience and a steady hand, as there

are no pegs on the hands to slide into the holes on the arms.

The overall detail is good and what you would expect from a

Chainmail miniature. However, there is quite a bit of lash on

this piece and it will require trimming carefully.

• The Howler from Set 2 (Naresh’s Horde) is a bit of a disap-

pointment. While only two pieces, substantial bending or trim-

ming is required to get a proper it. There is a lot of lash on

this piece and the level of detail is lacking compared to other

pieces. Painting will be easy given the lack of details. This

would be a good opportunity for people who are good with

airbrushing effects to breathe life into the otherwise lifeless

igure.

Now the Dungeons & Dragons brand miniatures...

• The Monsters box set contains 5 different monsters to use in

your campaign. They are a displacer beast, dire rat, goblins

(2 of them), ogre, and orc. The displacer beast has its charac-

teristic “starved cheetah” look and comes in two pieces. While

the level of detail is good, the way the two pieces it together

is not. Filler will be needed to give this piece a uniform look

and the moderate amount of lash will need to be trimmed.

The dire rat is a single one-piece miniature that depicts the rat

atop a treasure chest with a skull nearby. The level of detail is

great and the lash minimal. The two goblins are identical and

are holding a spear and shield. They are each cast as a single

piece and will require minimal lash trimming. The detail is

fairly good and painting will be asy to do with this miniature.

The ogre is the roughest of the miniatures in this set. A large

and heavy piece that comes in three pieces (main body and

two arms), a large amount of iller will be required to make the

arms seem luid and uniform to where they connect. There is a

fair amount of lash to be trimmed, but once together painting

will be fairly easy. Lastly, the orc is a highly detailed piece that

is complete with a separate shield. There is some lash present,

but it is minimal and easily removed.

• Heroes is a box set consisting of six miniatures representing

the iconic igures used in Wizards of the Coast’s core books.

Included are Redgar (human ighter), Lidda (halling rogue),

Soveliss (elven ranger), Mialee (elven wizard), Jozan (human

cleric), and Tordek (dwarf ighter. All of the pieces are cast as

a single igure with the exception of Jozan, who has a separate

shield. Redgar is a formidable igure with a fair amount of lash

but outstanding detail, especially with his armor and shield.

Lidda is the least detailed due to her diminutive size. This is

the type of miniature that was commonly seen in the 80’s and

90’s with a minimal amount of detail. Soveliss is shown with two

weapons (something I disagree with regarding the ranger class)

and a lowing cape. The level of detail is good especially with

FRP Games

www.frpgames.com

YourGamingSourceforeverythingat25-30%offretailprices!!

d20Zine

Page 2

By Steven Creech

W elcome to The Gamer’s Corner, the irst oficial feature

his armor. You will need to trim a lot of lash off this piece and

you will need to be careful in several places so as not to dam-

age the miniature. Mialee also has a fair amount of lash to be

trimmed but has a good level of detail as she stands upright with

a spear held over her head. Jozan is also a great igure, espe-

cially after his shield is attached. Detail is high and lash is low,

but care is needed to bend his mace back into proper position.

Finally, Tordek is the itting symbol of the stereotypical dwarf.

The detail is good in the armor and equipment, but the amount

of lash is rather high and will require careful trimming.

Overall, these miniatures are a fantastic addition to a collection with

many of them really coming into their own after being painted. If

you are just beginning to collect miniatures, both the Heroes and

Monsters box sets are great to start with. The Chainmail miniatures

offer a diverse choice and the standard of quality regarding detail is

a notch above most other manufacturers. They come highly recom-

mended because you can be selective and not have a huge amount

invested unless you want to have a really large collection with mul-

tiple minis of the same igure (especially if you are actually playing

the Chainmail game in addition to using them in your Dungeons &

Dragons gaming sessions).

FRP Games can special order your miniature and other gaming needs at

up to 30% off the regular retail price. Contact Shaw at frpgames@yahoo.com

for special pricing. Please be sure to give as much information as you can,

such as product number, manufacturer, and name of product. This informa-

tion will allow for faster quotes and faster orders. 

COMPUTERS IN DRAGONSTAR ®

Written by Mark Howe

C omputers are primarily technological devices, used to per-

Explanation of Terms: -

Here is what each of the categories represents

Processor Name: The make of Processor

Effective INT: This is the effective Intelligence score the computer

imitates, notes this does not imply a computer has any form of con-

sciousness or artiicial life, unless such modiications have been

made. And in no way implies any other statistic for the computer

other than Intelligence. The intelligence imitated is in relation to

all programs or functions a computer performs, and does not allow

it to act beyond the scope of its programming.

Actions/Round: This is the amount of simultaneous actions the

processor can perform at once. Thus a computer with 2 actions per

round could search a database and use any in-built defences to at-

tack an intruder at the same time. Note there are passive programs

that allow computers to perform additional actions automatically,

which do not count towards this limit of actions per round. Also

the amount of usage someone can get out of a computer manually

is limited only by the number of terminals attached to it. NOTE:

This is also the applicable circumstance bonus a processor adds to

an appropriate ability or skill check used through the computer with

this processor.

Max Program Rating: This represents the maximum ranks of a skill

from a program that can handle. Thus a processor with +15 max

Prog rating can handles programs that grant a bonus from +1 all the

way up to +15.

Cost (Credits): This is the processors effective cost in the games

Standard currency.

Notes: this is where any additional information is included, includ-

ing the most common pieces of equipment a processor of this type

is found in.

PROCESSORS: (The Effective Brain and data processing

power of the computer)

Processor

Name

Effective

INT

Actions/

Round

Max Prog

Rating

Cost

(Credits)

Notes

Type 1

Alpha

9 1 +2 200 cr Wristcomps,

Handhelds

Type 1

Beta

12 1 +5 500 cr -

Type 2

Ceti

15 1 +8 1000 cr Personal

Computers

Type 2

Delta

18 2 +12 2500 cr -

Type 3

Epsilon

21 2 +15 5000 cr Adv Personal,

Ship comps

Type 4

Gamma

24 3 +18 10,000 cr -

Type 5

Omega

27 3 +21 25,000 cr Adv Personal,

Installation

Type 6

Ultimax

30 4 +25 50,000 cr Height of

Technology

d20Zine

Page 3

form many routine and complex tasks in every day to day life,

through their use tasks can be performed quicker, simpler,

and more eficiently.

In Dragonstar® , computers vary a lot in design, size and purpose

but their requirement is nevertheless important in a lot of peoples

day to day lives from tracking the accounts of a billion credit mega-

corporation, to tracking satellites and their data, communicating

over distances, making calculations, accessing databases of knowl-

edge on a subject and a million other uses.

Computers are broken down into four integral components

1) Processor

2) Memory

3) Power Source

4) Programs and Peripherals

Each of these sections is discussed below in detail along with how it

functions; it’s limitations and what it costs.

MEMORY: (This is the storage space for all data and pro-

grams on a computer)

directly, effectively providing an unlimited and indeinite supply of

power. This kind of Computer power source makes the computer

as much a part of the ship as any of it’s other systems; the computer

is effectively built in. Of course should anything happen to that pri-

mary power source then the computer is rendered inactive unless it

has a backup power source.

Bio-Electrical Source (1000 cr): This kind of power source can only

be itted to a palm top or wrist mounted computer, by doing so it

adds a small micro generator and a series of small needles on the

underside of it. Then to power the computer the computer is simply

held irmly (in the case of a palm top), or afixed to the wrist (in

the case of a wrist comp) and in doing so the needles penetrate the

user’s skin. In doing so they are exposed to the user’s blood low,

which powers the micro generator through the bioelectrical current

produced.

Heavy Power Cell (50 cr): This kind of power source is the same

kind of cells used to power some large and huge energy weapons.

This kind of power source although used up relatively quickly is

quite common and very versatile in a ix. Most military ield com-

puters use this kind of power source. These cells can provide a com-

puter 72 hours continuous usage, before needing replacing.

Solar Generator (150 cr): This kind of power source adds a small

electrical generator powers from solar panels that are either part of

the computers case, or connected to the computer via power leads.

This requires direct exposure to sunlight to provide the power

needed to turn the generator; anything upto an overcast day can

provide at least some power but in conditions beyond that a solar

panel isn’t much use. However as a backup or for computers used in

the ield it is perfect. The power provided is constant and indeinite

so long as there is sunlight. NOTE: A solar generator if a secondary

power source to a Heavy Cell can be switched on and used to charge

the cell up when not in use, it will restore 10% charge to the cell for

every hour of sunlight.

Magus Crystal (5,000 cr): These special crystals are grown and

charged with magical energy, the power source includes the matrix

that converts the magical energy into a usable power source for the

computer. This kind of power is highly eficient, pollution free and

relatively easy to it. It is however quite uncommon to obtain and ex-

pensive, as the Crystals are dificult to grow. Each Crystal provides

power for 1 year’s continuous usage, before it is eventually drains

and needs replacing.

Back-up Power Sources (200%): Back-up power sources are de-

signed to kick in should the power from the primary source stop

or run out. It is designed to trip in automatically in such instances.

The cost for a secondary power source is twice that of whatever type

is used, due to the smaller size, and special systems designed to al-

low it the “kicking in” safeguard ability. Also in the case of power

sources with a set duration, when used as a back-up power source

they only provide half as much duration as they would if they were a

primary power source.

Memory (in

Terabytes)

Max

Prog

Size

Max

No. of

Progs

Cost

(Credits) Notes:

Datachip (1

Terabyte) +2 1 1 cr

Portable, blank disk can hold 1

terabyte (1000 gigabytes)

20 Terabytes +2 10 10 cr

Min Memory for a Datapad,

Wristcomp

100 Terabytes +5 20 100 cr

240 Terabytes +8 30 250 cr

Min Memory for a Personal

Computer

480 Terabytes +12 40 500 cr

750 Terabytes +15 50 750 cr

Min Memory for a Ship’s

Computer

900 Terabytes +18 50 1,000 cr

2,100

Terabytes +21 100 2,500 cr

Min Memory for a (Fixed)

Installation Computer

5,000

Terabytes +25 200 5,000 cr

Explanation of Terms: -

Here is what each of the categories represents

Memory (In Terabytes): This is the memories size in Terabytes (1000

gigabytes)

Max Program Size: This represents the maximum ranks of a skill a

program can be with this kind of memory.

Max No. of Programs: This represents the maximum number of

individual programs this memory can contain; these can all be up to

the maximum program size in capability.

Cost (Credits): This is the Memories effective cost in the games

Standard currency.

Notes: this is where any additional information is included, includ-

ing the minimum memory sizes that certain kinds of computer can

have.

POWER SOURCES: (What Powers the Computer, both

main and Secondary)

Power Source Cost (Credits) Notes:

Mains Supply

5 cr/month

This is your standard utility type power,

plug it in and use at leisure

Tied in Power Source 10% vehicle

This uses the Vehicle power source,

meaning it is effectively unlimited

Bioelectrical Source 1,000 cr

It is powered off the users blood low,

only wrist comps can have this

Heavy Power Cell

50 cr

the computer is powered off Maxi cells,

and provides 72 hours usage

Allows constant usage so long as it is

exposed to sunlight

Solar Generator

150 cr

PROGRAMS: (These are the information and “skills” a

computer can perform)

Where a Computer is performing a task it always uses it’s INT

modiier when using a program regardless of whether the skill is

Intelligence based.

Note where programs are concerned if a computer is running a

program it uses the programs rank, plus the modiier from its effec-

tive Intelligence score. Where a computer program is run manually

it uses the programs rank plus the users (not the computer’s) Intel-

ligence modiier.

For example a computer with a Type 2 Delta Processor (effective INT

18, +4 modiier) and a 100 Terabyte Memory (max program rank +5)

is running an Alchemy program +5 in an attempt to design a new Anti-

Magus Crystal

5,000 cr

Magically charged crystals provide 1

years constant use before wears out

a second power source that kicks in

when main fails

Mains Supply (5 cr/month): This is the type of power source most

commonly used for personal computers, they are able to plug into

whatever mains supply provides power to the building, installation

etc. so as long as the bills are paid to the supplier of the power sup-

ply it is provided indeinitely.

Tied in Power Source (10% Vehicle Cost): This is the main power

type for starship computers, and installation central computers, they

are tied directly into the ship or installations main power source

200%

d20Zine

Page 4

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