MagazIne

Issue #130
VoI. XII, No. 9
February 19SS
Publisher
Mike Cook
Editor
Roger L. Moore
Assistant editor Fiction editor
Rolin }enkins Ialrick L. Irice
Editorial assistants
LiIeen Lucas Barlara C. Young
Dellie Ioulsch Ceorgia Moore
Art director
Roger Raupp
MariIyn Iavaro
Production Staff
Lori SvikeI
Subscriptions Advertising
Ial SchuIz SheiIa Meehan
Ld Creenvood
Creative editors
}eff Crull
CONTLNTS
SPECIAL ATTRACTION
7 The Arcane Arts:
WItLout MevIIn, wLeve wouId AvtLuv Luve been?
S Get the Most From Your MagIc ~ }ohn N. Kean
Dveoners are forever: Iong-duralion speIIs for naxinun effecl.
16 Arcane Lore ~ Len Carpenler
Iron Oriental Adventures lo Weslern canpaigns: nev speIIs for lhe casling.
22 HoId On to Your IIIusIons! ~ Brian TiIIolson
Can a 6lh-IeveI iIIusionisl creale an arny of 2Olh-IeveI paIadins` WeII, aInosl.
2S The Faces oI MagIc ~ }ohn N. Kean
Sonelines a vizard shouId Iook Iike anylhing Iut.
34 Better LIvIng Through AIchemy ~ Ton Arnslrong
AIchenisls and lheir nagicaI lrade, fron polions lo poisons.
OTHER FEATURES
42 Shark-kIIIer ~ cton I CaroI Severance
Having alandoned her god, a varrior faces her vorsl eneny ~ aIone.
S0 The Game WIzards ~ }on Iickens
Where lhe nagic goes: nore on lhe second-edilion AD&D gane.
S4 The Dragon's BestIary ~ }ohn M. Maxsladl
A nulanl pIanl lhal onIy a CAMMA WORLD gane CM couId Iove.
S6 MInIatures In WonderIand - Rolerl BigeIov
RoIe-pIay 1OO,OOO dvarves al once, al lhe 1988 CLN CON/ORICINS Canes Iair!
SS KeepIng a Good Watch ~ Ryan Crindslaff
Who valches lhe valch nen` Try lhese TOI SLCRLT gane linepieces.
62 Dungeon EtIquette ~ }ody Lynn Nye
The paIadins on Talooine and lhe vizards in DreanIand ~ vhals a DM lo do`
64 The OrIentaI Sea ~ Margarel Ioy
Mariline nighl cones lo Oriental Adventures.
70 II Looks CouId KIII ~ MaIcoIn Bovers
A direcl Iook al gaze veapons and lhe nonslers vho use lhen.
S0 The MarveI-PhIIe ~ }eff Crull
Scourge picks up lhe lal al lhe lar vilh no nane!
S6 The RoIe oI Computers
~ HarlIey, Ialricia, and Kirk Lesser
The lesl of lhe lesl: Wizardry IV, Phantasie III, and Sanxion!
DEPARTMENTS
3 Letters 12 Gamers' GuIde 94 ConventIon CaIendar
4 WorId Gamers GuIde 13 Index to AdvertIsers 9S SnarIQuest
6 Forum 92 DragonmIrth 101 Wormy
COVER
2 FEBRUARY 1988
One of lhe lhings aloul leing a nagic-user, as cover arlisl Linda MedIey shovs,
is lhal you never have lo vorry aloul nol having anyone lo laIk lo. The Iadys
froggie faniIiar seens lo lhink differenlIy aloul lhe naller, lhough ~ lul lhals a
frog for you.
LETTERS
More m1n1o1ures
Dcar Dr agnn:
I am wrItIng In rcspnnsc tn DavId Hnwcry's
!cttcr In Issuc #126. I dn nnt p!ay rn!c-p!ayIng
gamcs, but !argc-sca!c fantasy wargamcs havc
my Intcrcst. I grcat!y cnjny rcadIng DRAGON
MagazInc fnr thc Idcas It gIvcs mc fnr spc!!s and
statIstIcs fnr crcaturcs In my gamcs. Hnwcvcr,
!Ikc Mr. Hnwcry, I wnu!d a!sn !Ikc tn scc cnvcr-
agc nf ncw fIgurc rc!cascs, paIntIng tIps, and
nthcr mInIaturcs-rc!atcd tnpIcs. Thcrc arc sn
many fIgurcs nn thc markct nnw that It Is nnt
a!ways pnssIb!c tn kccp up tn datc nn what Is
avaI!ab!c, cspccIa!!y as sn many stnrcs havc nn!y
a !ImItcd stnck. I hnpc ynu dn dccIdc tn run
thcsc kInds nf artIc!cs agaIn.
PatrIck Prcsna!!-Kc!!chcr
5an DIcgn CA
in fact, we are thinking about doing this very
thing. We urge our readers with interests in
miniatures and miniature games to write and
tell us what you would like to see if we had
such a column.
ungeons &
des1gners
Dcar Dragnn:
Thnugh I thnrnugh!y cnjny p!ayIng D&D
gamcs, I ncvcr rca!!y had a sct nf my nwn. 5n
arnund !ast ycar, I madc up a sct nf ru!cs fnr a
gamc. P!casc scnd mc snmc InfnrmatInn
cnnccrnIng hnw I wnu!d gn abnut gcttIng thIs
gamc patcntcd, pub!Ishcd, cnpyrIghtcd, ctc.
Jamcs J. Bn!and
Trcntnn NJ
Jim Ward had some ideas on how to become
involved in the gaming industry in his column
for The Game Wizards, in issue #128 (page 34).
You might also read the third letter in the
Letters column for issue #124 (page 3) for
more information. Legal information on
copyrighting your game is best received by
consulting a lawyer.
DRAGON Magazine is also interested in
publishing small fantasy-based games, though
we accept very few submissions. You could send
an SASE for our writers guidelines and query us
on details relevant to your proposed design.
Ho1s1 1e ]!og!
Dcar Dragnn:
I was curInus why ynu changcd thc f!ag nf thc
magazInc (ynu knnw, thc bIg "DRAGON
MagazInc !ngn nn thc cnvcr). . . . It's dIffcrcnt,
and I !Ikc thc ncw fnrmat. I cspccIa!!y !Ikc
havIng thc mnnth and ycar nn thc cnvcr. Bcfnrc,
If ynu wantcd tn fIgurc nut what mnnth and
ycar thc magazInc was frnm, ynu had tn npcn
thc magazInc and !nnk at thc bnttnms nf pagcs.
The best way I could imagine would be to visit
all of the games and hobby stores in your area
and poet an index-card notice in each, giving
your name, gaming interests, and phone
number Many game stores have bulletin boards
for this very purpose. The more gamers they
can draw into the hobby the better their sales.
Dcar Dragnn:
I rcccnt!y mnvcd and am havIng a !nt nf
Jacnb Burby
prnb!cms fIndIng p!aycrs. I am 13 ycars n!d and
nnt a rcgu!ar D&D gamc p!aycr, that makcs
gamIng c!ubs cvcn hardcr tn fInd. Dn ynu havc
Orangc Va!c CA
any advIcc fnr fIndIng p!aycrs nr annnuncIng
mysc!f tn gamIng partIcs In my arca?
Gomers uon1ed
Well tell Roger Raupp you like his work.
Just nut nf curInsIty, whnsc jnb Is It tn dccIdc
nn a cn!nr fnr thc DRAGON !ngn, thc !ngn's
pcrImctcr, and thc nut!Inc nf spccIa! fcaturcs
prIntcd nn thc cnvcr? I thInk hc, shc, It, nr
whatcvcr dncs a fInc jnb.
Tnny DcFIgIn
EdInbnrn PA
Dcar Dragnn:
Roger re1urns
are set in 8-point type with a leading of 9. The
body copy of the magazine (like its logo) has
changed scvcra! times over the years; it used to
havc Baskerville II type, and before that we
used Triumvirate Regular:
WhI!c I'm at It wIth thc cnvcrs, I wnu!d !Ikc tn
cnmp!Imcnt ynu nn thc artwnrk ynu'vc bccn
ab!c tn gct. It Is gnnd cnnugh tn hn!d my
attcntInn fnr a fcw mInutcs bcfnrc I !aunch Intn
dIggIng thrnugh thc magazInc.
Onc nthcr thIng: What fnnt dn ynu usc?
Mark R. Mu!Ik
Ncnshn MO
We changed the logo because we got tired of
calling our periodical a monthly adventure
role-playing aid when it is actually a magazine.
Stephanie Tabat designed the new logo, and we
are in seventh editorial heaven over it. We're
glad you like it.
Thank you, too, for your praise of DRAGON
Magazines artwork. Weve been very proud of
it, and we have more high-quality art coming in
every issue. Our art director, Roger Kaupp,
deserves some praise too, even if he does chasc
editors around with plastic mailing tubes.
The body copy of this magazine is 9-point
Zapf Book Light with a leading of 10, set on a
14-pIca margin in three-columm format. Certain
sections like the Letters and Forum columns
It's a sma!! thIng, but a grcat cnnvcnIcncc.
TIe reol uorlJ
Currenl evenls can provide an
inexhauslilIe source of advenlure
ideas for any nodern or fulurislic
roIe-pIaying selling, as nany vrilers
have poinled oul. Hovever, il is safe
lo say lhal nany ganers invoIved in
such canpaigns have visions of lhe
presenl or fulure nodeIed inslead
afler popuIar novies, noveIs, conic
looks, and TV shovs. (I sure did.)
There are gaIaxy-spanning enpires,
Iaser-loling gunnen, releIs and
inlersleIIar vars - aII of il casl oul
of lhe lhree Slar Wars fiIns, vilh
Road Warrior, RoboCop, and Max
Headroom as veII. Sonelines you
gel sone }apanese spice, loo (a Ia
Robotech). Ils fun, lizarre, and
much strangcr than thc rca! wnr!d.
Or is il` Wilhin lhe Iasl 5O years,
veve had AdoIf HilIer, lhe Bonl,
Apollo 11, and ChernolyI. High
lechnoIogy cIoaks our vorId jusl as
deepIy as high sorcery cIoaks lhe
nyslerious Iands of fanlasy ganes.
Sone evenls in our reaI vorId
even nake evenls in science-ficlion
and fanlasy vorIds seen nundane.
The foIIoving are exanpIes of
reaI-vorId lhenes I have rareIy seen
in science-ficlion canpaigns - or in
espionage, superpovered hero, and
nodern varfare sellings, eilher.
Hov reaIislic vouId lhey seen in a
gane canpaign`
Civilian atomic accidents: Many
gane canpaigns consider civiIian
nucIear pover lo le of ninor inpor-
lance, conpIeleIy safe, or IillIe seen
- lul poor conlroI of nucIear junk
caused severaI dealhs in a poverly-
slricken area in BraziI in 1987. In
addilion lo lhe fanous accidenls al
WindscaIe, Three MiIe IsIand, and
ChernolyI, lhe vorsl-ever nucIear
disasler apparenlIy look pIace in lhe
soulhern UraIs of lhe U.S.S.R., Iale
in 1957. A chenicaI expIosion in a
nucIear vasle faciIily scallered
radioaclive pIuloniun over 1,OOO
square niIes, kiIIing perhaps hun-
dreds of peopIe and dooning lhou-
sands nore lo Iingering dealhs fron
cancer. This so-caIIed Kyshlyn
expIosion Iefl vasl regions of Iand
uninhalilalIe for ages lo cone. WiII
coIonisls on olher vorIds le any
leller al nucIear nanagenenl`
Nuclear extortion: Thunderball
vas ficlion - lul a IIorida cily in
197O vas lhrealened vilh deslruc-
lion unIess lhe lIacknaiIer vas
given a niIIion doIIars and safe
conducl oul of lhe counlry. IIans
for a colaIl-vrapped H-lonl ac-
(cnntInucd nn pagc 60)
, 4 ) / !
3e Wor!d Gomers Gu1de
WIth Issue #131 oI DRAGON MagazIne,
The WorId Gamers GuIde" wIII come to a
cIose. We wIII run the IIstIngs In thIs
coIumn untII they have appeared Ior three
tImes, then dIscontInue the coIumn. No
Iurther IIstIngs wIII be taken. Our In-
creased dIstrIbutIon and cIrcuIatIon worId-
wIde are responsIbIe; because oI the great
Increase In InternatIonaI saIes, we wIII
soon not be abIe to cope wIth the Increase
In WGG entrIes wIth our smaII staII sIze.
However, we are aIways open to submIs-
sIons Ior the Letters" and Forum"
coIumns, as weII as reguIar gamIng artIc-
Ies, and we weIcome contrIbutIons Irom
anywhere In the worId. We aIso encourage
gamers to organIze gamIng cIubs, set up
conventIons, and use the resources oI theIr
IocaI game and hobby stores.
ThIs coIumn had a Iong run and a good
one. We wIsh aII gamers across the worId
the best thIs year. Keep gamIng!
AD: AD&D game
BS: BATTLESYSTEM SuppIement
CC: CALL OF CTHULHU game
CH: CHAMPIONS game
CW: CAR WARS game
DD: D&D game
GW: GAMMA WORLD game
MSH: MARVEL SUPER HEROES game
OA: AD&D Or1en1o! Aduen1ures system
P: PARANOIA game
RQ: RUNEQUEST game
SF: STAR FRONTIERS game
SFB: STAR FLEET BATTLES game
SL: SQUAD LEADER game T: TRAVELLER
game
TMNT: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA
TURTLES game
TS: MP SECRET game
T2000: TWILIGHT 2000 game
JeIIrey Jongko (AD,DD,TS,T2000)
12 YeIIowstone Street
WhIte PIaIns, Metro ManIIa
PHILIPPINES
AIberto HaIphen (AD,GW,SF,TS)
Lomas de ChapuItepec
M. ChImborazo S20J701
MexIco DF CJP 11000
MEXICO
SN J. (Steve) Hudak (AD,MSH,TS)
P.O. Box 37-611 NSGA
(NSA NapIes, ItaIy)
FPO NY 09S21-4000
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BIII McQuIIIan (AD,CH,CW)
042-74-109S
HHC 7th SUPCOM, Box 43
APO NY 09712
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Waye Mason
109 WoIsey Road
Northwood, MIddIesex
HA6 2EB
GREAT BRITAIN
CarIos Mondragon, Jr. (AD)
BouIevard Campestre #12S-3
CoI. JardInes deI MoraI
C.P. 37160
Leon, G40
MEXICO
Aaron McDoweII (AD,DD,GW,RQTT)
44 Carters Tce.
Ashburton
South IsIand
NEW 2EALAND
ChaI Tze Hwa (AD,BS,CW,DD,MSH,
OA,SF,TMNT,TS)
BIshan Road, Street 12
BIock 137, #11-414
SINGAPORE 20S7
SIobhan McDonneII (AD)
21S HaIeys GuIIy Road
HurstbrIdge
VIctorIa 3099
AUSTRALIA
Steven EggerkIng (AD,DD,GW,TS)
14S Omao Street
KaIIua, Oahu, HawaII 96734
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
George AnastasouIIs (AD,RQ,SF,T)
ApostoIakI 1
Nea SmyrnI
Athens 17121
GREECE
KrIstoIIer (ChrIs) KveIIo (AD)
214-S
9170 Longyearbyen
SvaIbard
NORWAY
AntonIo MarceIo F. da Fonseca (AD,SF,DD)
Rua Hadock Lobo 131 casa 7
TIjuca, RIo de JanerIo, RJ
BRA2IL CEP 20260
KevIn Armstrong (AD,SF)
2S West Way
HoImes ChapeI, Crewe
CheshIre CW4 7DG
UNITED KINGDOM
Ren Rasmussen (AD,DD,OA,SL)
Sondergade 1S
DK-9493 SaItum
DENMARK
CoIIn CampbeII (AD,BS,CC,OA,SFB,T)
92 OswaId Avenue
Grangemouth
ScotIand
UNITED KINGDOM
JeII Johnson
SPDC Ext. Nord
B.P. 32S
Maroua
CAMEROUN
Thomas B. Mason (AD,CH,CW,GW,OA,P)
S02 MI Co., 2 ACR
(Nurnberg, West Germany)
APO NY 09093
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Torben M. Husum (AD,DD)
Granvej 1
4100 RIngsted
DENMARK
Jorge ManueI MartIns (AD,DD)
Av. SaIvador AIIende, 21-A
OeIras 27S0
PORTUGAL
AdrIan MartInez (AD,DD,GW,MSH,TS,SF)
#9 Chestnut Street
FaIrvIew, Quezon CIty, ManIIa
PHILIPPINES
Butch Sy Yap (AD,DD,GW,MSH,TS,SF)
#1S-D West Road
Cubao, Quezon CIty, ManIIa
PHILIPPINES
J.V. Barredo (AD,DD,GW,MSH,TS,SF)
#1S0-A WIIson Street
AIIenby Entrance
San Juan, ManIIa
PHILIPPINES
DRAGON Magazine (ISSN 0279-6848) is published monthly by TSR, Inc. The mailing address for all material except subscription orders is DRAGON Magazine, PO.
Box 110, Lake Geneva WI 53147; the business telephone number is (414) 248-3625. DRAGON Magazine IS available at hobby stores and bookstores throughout the
United States and Canada, and through a limited number of overseas outlets. Newsstand distribution throughout the United Kingdom is by Seymour Ltd., 334 Brixton
Road, London, SW9 7AG, United Kingdom; telephone: 01-733-4444. Subscription rates via second-class mail are as follows: $30 in U.S. funds for 1 year (12 issues)
sent to an address in the U.S. or Canada, $50 for 12 issues sent by surface mail to any other address, and $90 for 12 issues sent airmail to any other address. Payment
in full must accompany all subscription orders. Methods of payment include checks or money orders made payable to TSR, Inc., or charges to valid MasterCard or
VISA credit cards. Send subscription orders with payments to: TSR, Inc. PO. Box 72089, Chicago IL 60678. A limited quantity of back issues are available from the
TSR mail order department, PO. Box 756, Lake Geneva WI 53147. For a copy of the current catalog listing available back issues, write to the mail order department at
the above address. The issue of expiration of each subscription is printed on the mailing label for each subscribers copy of the magazine. Changes of address for the
delivery of subscription copies must be received at least six weeks prior to the effective date of the change in order to assure uninterrupted delivery. All material
published in DRAGON Magazine becomes the exclusive property of the publisher, unless special arrangements to the contrary are made prior to publication. DRAGON
Magazine welcomes unsolicited submissions of written material and artwork; however, no responsibility for such submissions can be assumed by the publisher in any
event. Any submission accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope of sufficient size will be returned if it cannot be published.
DRAGON is a registered trademark of TSR, Inc. All rights to the contents of this publication are reserved, and nothing may be reproduced from it in whole or in part
without first obtaining permission in writing from the publisher. Copyright 1988 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
AD&D, ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, ADVANCED D&D, AMAZING, BLACKMOOR, BOOT HILL, D&D, DRAGONLANCE, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS,
FIEND FOLIO, GAMMA WORLD, GREYHAWK, TOP SECRET, STAR FRONTIERS, TSR, and WORLD OF GREYHAWK are registered trademarks owned by TSR, Inc.
GEN CON is a service mark owned by TSR, Inc. ARES, BATTLESYSTEM, BLACKMOOR, DEITIES & DEMIGODS, DRAGONCHESS, DRAGONQUEST, DUNGEON,
FORGOTTEN REALMS, GANGBUSTERS, POLYHEDRON, RPGA, TOP SECRET/S.I., and the TSR logo are trademarks owned by TSR, Inc. 1988 TSR, Inc. All Rights
Reserved. Marvel and all Marvel character names and likenesses are trademarks of the Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. and are used under license. Copyright 1988
Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Second-class postage paid at Lake Geneva, Wis., and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to TSR, Inc., P.O. Box 110, Lake Geneva WI
53147. USPS 318-790, ISSN 0279-6848.
4 FEBRUARY 1988
FORUM
I vouId Iike lo suggesl a change lo InleIIigence
TalIe II of lhe P|aqcrs Hanocc| (p. 1O). In ny
opinion, lhe currenl dala for nagic-user aliIily
does nol accuraleIy refIecl specific condilions
vhich shouId affecl aliIily ranges Iisled. My
ovn changes vhich expand upon lhe lalIe are
delaiIed in lhe foIIoving paragraphs.
Iirsl, lhe vizards lase speII-pover IeveI of
efficiency nusl le caIcuIaled ly finding one-
lhird of inleIIigence, rounding as appropriale. A
visdon of 18 adds 1 lo lhe lase nunler deler-
nined, lhe resuIl leing lhe speII IeveI of effi-
ciency. A 14 inleIIigence (vilh 18 visdon) vouId
resuIl in a lase efficiency vilh sixlh-IeveI speIIs
(14/3 = 4.66, rounded lo 5, 5 + 1 = 6).
Whal lhis neans is lhal for sixlh-IeveI speIIs,
lhe nagic-users proficiency vilh regard lo
naxinun speIIs per IeveI and chance lo
knov speIIs renains jusl as shovn in lhe lalIe,
vilh no nodificalion (lhis does nol incIude
experience of lhe nage, nenlioned leIov). Il is
veII knovn lhal firsl-IeveI speIIs are easier
lhan second-IeveI speIIs, vhich are easier lhan
lhird-IeveI ones, and so on. Caners can pul lhis
concepl inlo a nore nyslic perspeclive: The
innale force nanifeslalions slored vilhin aII
speIIs are of an increasingIy arcane nalure, lhus,
lhe IeveI allrilule is assigned as a gauge of
reIalive conpIexily. Wilh lhis in nind, consider
lase efficiency as + O (O). Lach speII IeveI
leIov lhis (i.e., lhe Iess conpIex incanlalions)
receives a cunuIalive + 1 (or 5) lonus lo
nax. speIIs/IeveI and chance lo knov, respec-
liveIy. ConverseIy, each speII IeveI alove lhe
lase pover IeveI (i.e., lhe nore difficuIl ones) is
penaIized ly - 1 (or - 5).
To nake lhe dala ollained even nore progres-
sive or individuaIized, every experience IeveI of
lhe nage (alove firsl) inproves lhe Iinils gener-
aled alove ly + O.2 (or + 1), in olher vords,
+ 1 (5) al 6lh IeveI, +2 (1O) al 11lh IeveI, elc.
IIease nole lhal lhe chance-lo-knov-speIIs
percenlage nay never go alove 95 or leIov
5, due lo nodificalions lroughl aloul ly lhis
nev fornuIa.
And nov, lhe exanpIe: The sane nage of 14
inleIIigence is aIso 14lh IeveI. ConsuIling lhe
nagic-user aliIily lalIe, ve find lhal he has a
55 chance lo knov (and can Iearn a naxinun
of) nine speIIs of lhe sixlh IeveI. (To use lhe
slanding ruIes, he couId iIIogicaIIy Iearn nine
ninlh-IeveI speIIs as easiIy as he couId Iearn nine
firsl-IeveI ones.) Wilh ny proposed fornuIa, his
IeveI (or rank, lo avoid confusion) aIone raises
lhis Iinil lo a 69 chance and an 11-speII Iinil
vilh sixlh-IeveI speIIs. To ralionaIize, lhis
grealer degree of aliIily vouId le due lo his
exlensive experience vilh nallers arcane, a 1sl
IeveI nagic-user vilh 18 inleIIigence vouId
juslifialIy find lhe casling of a firsl-IeveI speII
nore difficuIl lhan vouId a higher ranking
nage of Iesser inleIIigence. Taking speII pover
and characler experience inlo accounl, our
exenpIified nage nay knov 74 of lhe fiflh-
IeveI speIIs he lries lo Iearn, relaining a naxi-
nun of 12 speIIs of lhal IeveI, he nay knov
64 of lhe sevenlh-IeveI speIIs he lries lo Iearn,
6 FEBRUARY 1988
and can relain onIy 1O of lhose speIIs.
Il shouId le poinled oul lhal lhe ruIes for
inleIIigence nininuns needed lo casl speIIs of
higher IeveIs as shovn in InleIIigence TalIe I (14
inleIIigence Iinils speII-casling lo speIIs of lhe
sevenlh IeveI of pover, for inslance) are a good
conpIinenl lo lhis nev ruIe, assuring lhal a
silualion viII nol arise vhere a characler is of a
IeveI vhere he is alIe lo casl speIIs of a cerlain
pover lul has a naxinun of zero IearnalIe
speIIs in lhal calegory. Wilh lhal in nind, lhe
overriding of lhe nininun speIIs/IeveI dala
shouId prove no greal prolIen.
Chrislopher LarIey
Maslic NY
As a DM, I have oflen vondered hov lo
handIe a IC affecled ly Iycanlhropy. ICs oflen
lried lo seek heIp afler faIIing viclin lo lhe
disease, lul I prohililed lhis |lecausej I doulled
lhal a verevoIf vouId vanl lo le hunan any
nore lhan a hunan vouId vanl lo le a vere-
voIf. (I lried lo keep in nind vhal lhe acluaI
characler vouId vanl, nol lhe pIayer.) Thus, I
encounlered lhe foIIoving prolIen: ShouId I
consider lhe characler no Ionger a IC, or
shouId I aIIov lhe pIayer lo conlinue pIaying lhe
characler`
Ior lhe sake of lhe characler, I decided lo
proIong his Iife ly conlinuing vilh lhe gane.
Whal nexl` The ruIes did nol go inlo greal
delaiI on lhe suljecl. Therefore, I aIIoved lhe
characler lo receive heIp, lul nol consciousIy.
Ior inslance: A IC vereloar is chasing a
cIeric dovn lhe slreel. The cIeric ducks inlo a
nagicians shop and anlushes lhe loar, injuring
hin ladIy. Laler, lhe IocaI nage (leing of high
IeveI) cones upon lhe unconscious vereloar
and, in synpalhy, heaIs hin of his Iycanlhropy.
Brenl SiIvis
Corry IA
Wilh aII lhe laIk aloul lhe fulure of lhe vari-
ous cIasses in lhe revision of lhe AD&D gane
looks, I have one suggeslion. Renove lhe iIIu-
sionisl cIass enlireIy. Why renove lhis cIass`
you ask. Tvo reasons. Iirsl, il is one of lhe
hardesl cIasses lo quaIify for. Second, lhe speII
seIeclion is pilifuI.
My soIulion lo lhis is lo sinpIy incorporale lhe
exisling iIIusionisl cIass inlo lhe nagic-user
cIass. This vouId nean lhe iIIusionisl-lo-le onIy
has lo roII an inleIIigence of 9 and a dexlerily of
6, as opposed lo lhe 15 inleIIigence and 16
dexlerily required. This aIso aIIovs lhe iIIusion-
isl nore choices in nagicaI ilens.
The nexl slep vouId le lo nerge lhe lvo speII
lalIes. This is easiIy done, as nosl speIIs are
aIready avaiIalIe lo nagic-users. Sone of lhe
speIIs Iefl are nol exacl dupIicales of nagic-user
speIIs, lul are cIose enough lo exisling speIIs lo
le redundanl (e.g., aIler reaIily vs. Iiniled vish).
Any speIIs lhal are unique lo lhe iIIusionisl cIass
can le lransposed lo lhe nagic-user lalIe, vilh
lhe speII IeveI leing lvo IeveIs higher lhan on
lhe iIIusionisl speII lalIe.
I knov lhere are sone of you vho have
pIayed and enjoyed lhe iIIusionisl as is, I an nol
one of lhen. I lhink lhal lhe suggeslion given
alove can onIy inprove lhe pIay of lhe AD&D
gane.
KeIIy CaIalro
WaInul Creek CA
ChaeInon von Zarovic vas feeding Andy
Wrighl a Iol of luII (in issue #125). In sone
aninaI species, il is possilIe for each sex lo find
lhe olher a pain al lines. No species, hovever,
viII refuse conlacl lelveen sexes lo lhe poinl
vhere lreeding is inlerfered vilh (as von
Zarovic vouId have vilh harpies). And if naIe
harpies produce onIy naIe harpy chiIdren,
vhiIe fenaIe harpies lear onIy fenaIe young,
lhe lvo sexes couId never produce any chiIdren
vilh each olher.
Van Zarovic is correcl on sone poinls, lhough.
Harpies can lreed vilh a vide variely of crea-
lures, noslIy hunanoids or lirds. Bul lhey
foIIov lhe slandard Iavs of crosslreeding
genelics. The case of lhe harpy foIIovs: A hu-
nan and a lird (lhe vuIlure) vere lred lhrough
poverfuI nagic lo forn lhe harpy (olher lird/
nan lypes nay aIso have leen forned depend-
ing on lhe nagic, lird, and hunanoid used).
The harpy prefers lo lreed vilh olher harpies,
lul viII nale vilh anylhing al Ieasl haIf-nan or
haIf-lird. When lred vilh a pure lreed, lhe
resuIling chiId is siniIar lo ils crosslreed parenl
(lhe harpy in lhis case). When lred vilh an-
olher crosslreed (e.g., lhe cenlaur), lhe chiId
nay resenlIe eilher parenl or (rareIy) lolh. In
eilher case, if lhe chiId is lred again lo lhe sane
species as ils nonharpy parenl, lhe grandchiId is
usuaIIy a nornaI lype of lhe nonharpy anceslry
(vilh an occasionaI lrace of harpy lrails). In lhe
case of harpies, such lhrovlacks rareIy survive
since lhe harpies usuaIIy kiII and eal lhen.
Il is aIso lrue lhal lhe naIe harpy is cIean and
genlIe ~ vhen conpared vilh fenaIe harpies,
lhal is. The fenaIe harpy Iays lvo lo four eggs
al a line, lul provides lareIy enough food for
one chick, vhich neans lhal onIy lhe slrongesl
chick can survive. Since lhe fenaIe is sIighlIy
Iarger lhan lhe naIe (a connon lrail anong
Iarge lirds), lhe onIy line a naIe chick survives
is vhen aII lhe eggs are naIe, vhich occurs one
oul of eighl lines.
Wilh a ralio of seven fenaIes for every naIe,
lhe aduIl naIe doesnl need lo hunl for food and
lhus spends nuch of his line grooning hinseIf
for lhe vonen (vho usuaIIy henpeck hin
anyvay). He is kepl oul of any danger, and lhe
lypicaI advenlurer eilher doesnl see hin or jusl
assunes hin lo le a fIeeing fenaIe. (The physi-
caI difference is ninor lo lhe casuaI viever as
lhe naIes aIso have Iarge lreasls.) Hovever, lhe
naIes genlIeness consisls pureIy of an unviII-
ingness lo pul hinseIf lo unnecessary lroulIe or
danger vhiIe lhere are fenaIes vho viII do il
for hin. The veak and heIpIess are no safer in
lhe hands of a naIe lhan a fenaIe harpy.
David CarI ArgaII
La Iuenle CA
In regards lo lhe Ieller fron Mr. Van Veen in
lhe Iorun of issue #123, I have lo disagree
vilh his handIing of orcs. Orcs are nol neanl lo
fighl high-IeveI characlers, lhey are lhe cannon
fodder of lhe AD&D gane, jusl Iike zero-IeveI
hunans.
Inslead of increasing lhe nunler of orcs, or
naking lhe orcs nore poverfuI, change lhe
nonsler. Use gnoIIs, ogres, lroIIs, even hiII
gianls. These are lhe lypes of nonslers lhal
nid- lo high-IeveI characlers shouId le facing ~
(conlinued on page 13)
Get the Most From
Your Magic
Spell-coeIing oJiice for nogic-ueere of oll leiele
by John N. Kean
Magic-users are Iiniled in lhe nunler of
speIIs lhey can nenorize and lherefore
use during an advenlure. IndividuaI and
group survivaI depends upon having lhe
righl resources lo survive lhe various
chaIIenges encounlered, lhe nore speIIs
avaiIalIe, lhe grealer lhe chance of sur-
vivaI. This arlicIe discusses a vay lo in-
crease lhe nunler of speIIs lhal a
nagic-user can nake use of during an
advenlure.
Sone speIIs are pernanenl, such as
conlinuaI Iighl, olhers Iasl unliI lriggered,
Iike nagic mouth, or Iasl for nany hours
or days, Iike charn person. These speIIs
can le casl on one day, and lhey viII sliII
le in effecl lhe nexl day or possilIy
Ionger. Resl and sludy aIIov lhe nagic-
user lo regain his or her fuII conpIenenl
of speIIs. The nagic-user can lhen slarl
lhe advenlure vilh a grealer nunler of
aclive and polenliaI speIIs avaiIalIe.
Ior exanpIe, a conjurer (3rd-IeveI nagic-
user) can nenorize one second- and lvo
firsl-IeveI speIIs al one line, or four can-
lrips inslead of one firsl-IeveI speII. She
knovs she viII le lraveIing lo a dislanl
lovn in lhree days. During lhe lhree days
lefore she Ieaves, she casls lhree second-
IeveI speIIs (one each day) - continual
light (pernanenl duralion) on a vand lo
serve as a lorch, invisiliIily (speciaI dura-
lion) on a haIfIing lhief conpanion, and
protection from cantrips (lhree days dura-
lion) on herseIf. Nole lhal she casls lhe
speIIs vilh lhe Iongesl duralion firsl.
She casls four firsl-IeveI speIIs as veII:
armor (speciaI duralion) on herseIf and
her horse, charm person (speciaI duralion)
on a nercenary fighler conpanion lo
insure his IoyaIly, and, wizard mark (per-
nanenl duralion) on her forehead lo
sinuIale a lirlhnark.
She aIso casls eighl canlrips. She uses a
hairy canlrip (pernanenl duralion) lo
change lhe Ienglh of her hair, and color
canlrips (3O-day duralion) lo change lhe
coIor of her hair, eyes, skin, and role (one
The lalIe in lhis arlicIe presenls speIIs
lhal vouId le usefuI on advenlures. Lach
has a duralion of one day or Ionger, or a
speciaI duralion such lhal lhe speII is
lriggered ly a specific sel of circun-
slances. Olher speIIs nol Iisled nay aIso
quaIify, check your speII looks cIoseIy.
OnIy inaginalion Iinils lhe possiliIilies.
Il is inporlanl lo renenler lhal aI-
lhough a nagic-user can onIy have a cer-
lain nunler of speIIs nenorized al one
line, resl and sludy aIIov speIIs lo le
reacquired. A 3rd-IeveI nagic-user can
nenorize onIy one second-IeveI speII. Il
requires four hours of resl and a haIf-hour
of sludy lo nenorize anolher second-IeveI
speII (Dungeon Masters Guide, page 4O).
TheorelicaIIy, lhe 3rd-IeveI nagic-user can
casl a second-IeveI speII approxinaleIy
every 4 hours. This vorks oul lo five in
a 24-hour period! Circunslances usuaIIy
aIIov onIy one resl and nenorizalion
period each day, lul il is possilIe lo have
nore if lhe nagic-user is cIever and care-
fuI. Assuning onIy one appropriale speII
of a cerlain IeveI can le nenorized and
casl per resl period, lhen five firsl-, five
second-, lhree lhird-, lhree fourlh-, lvo
fiflh-, lvo sixlh-, lvo sevenlh-, or lvo
eighlh-IeveI speIIs can le casl in a 24-hour
period, under ideaI circunslances.
Having lhese speIIs in effecl increases
her chances of surviving encounlers.
Second IeveI: invisibility, continual light,
protection from can trips.
mark.
Canlrips: color, hairy, wrap.
Iirsl IeveI: armor, charm person, wizard
The day she Ieaves lovn, she nenorizes
lhe lvo firsl-IeveI speIIs and lhe one
second-IeveI speII aIIovalIe ly her IeveI.
The foIIoving speIIs are sliII in effecl for al
Ieasl lvo nore days:
canlrip each). The lirlhnark and olher
changed fealures provides a very effeclive
disguise. She aIso uses lhree wrap canlrips
(speciaI duralion) lo prepare packels of
speII ingredienls for lhe speIIs she anlici-
pales needing. The packels can le quickIy
relrieved vilh a present canlrip lo expe-
dile speII casling during energencies.
There is no nenlion in lhe AD&D gane
Iileralure of lhe line required lo resl for
and nenorize canlrips. I have assuned
lhal lhe line required is one-quarler of
lhal required for firsl-IeveI speIIs, lecause
four canlrips can le sulsliluled for one
firsl-IeveI speII.
UsalIe duralion is lhe speIIs duralion
ninus lhe line required lo resl, lhen
nenorize a speII of lhe sane IeveI. In
olher vords, usalIe duralion is lhe Ienglh
of line lhal a parlicuIar speII viII le in
effecl afler a speII of lhe sane IeveI is
repIaced in lhe caslers nenory.
IarlicuIar noles on nagic-user speIIs
nenlioned in lhe lalIe foIIov, arranged ly
lhe IeveI of lhe speIIs concerned.
CantrIps
Color: This can change lhe coIor of skin,
hair, eyes, cIolhes, or olher ilens for a
quick disguise.
Flavor: This canlrip is usefuI lo nask lhe
fIavor of poisons or olher addilions lo food
or drink.
Hairy: This can le used lo change lhe
Ienglh of hair or leards for a quick disguise.
Wrap: This can le used lo vrap speII
conponenls for quick relrievaI for speII-
casling.
FIrst IeveI
Armor: One of lhe lesl speIIs, lhis one
inproves lhe arnor cIass of unarnored
characlers (lo AC 8) or crealures such as
nounls or faniIiars (ly one slep).
Charm person: This speII inproves lhe
IoyaIly of conpanions, lul il vorks lesl
on NICs (ICs nighl le angered). See lhe
forget speII lhal foIIovs.
Grease: This is prinariIy a defensive
speII used lo increase lhe difficuIly for
lhieves or olhers lrying lo enler an area
ly cIinling or olher neans. Il is good lo
use on a nagic-users hone lefore lhe
nagic-user Ieaves on a lrip.
Nystuls magic aura: This can le used lo
give nonnagicaI ilens a nagicaI aura, lo
nisIead unvary lhieves or olhers. This is a
good speII lo use on vorlhIess ilens for
use in lrade Ialer on, any nunler of nagi-
DR A GON '
Long-DuratIon MagIc-User SpeIIs TabIe
SpeII
Color
Flavor
Hairy
Wrap
Armor
Charm person
Grease
Nystuls magic aura
Wizard mark
Cont i nual l i ght
Forget
In visibility
Leomunds trap
Magic mouth
Preserve
Protection from can trips
Wizard lock
Explosive runes
Invisibility 10 radius
Item
LeveI
Canlrips
Iirsl
Second
Third
Material
Secret page
Sepia snake sigil
Charm monster
Dig
Fire trap
Hallucinatory terrain
Massmorph
Plant growth
Polymorph other
Rarys mnemonic enhancer
Stoneskin
Animate dead
Avoidance/attraction
Beckon
Fabricate
Iourlh
Iiflh
DuratIon
30 days
Iernanenl
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
Iernanenl
1 day/IeveI
Iernanenl
Iernanenl
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
Iernanenl
1 day/IeveI
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
1 or 4 hours/
IeveI
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
(1+ veeks)
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
Iernanenl
Iernanenl
1 day
SpeciaI
Iernanenl
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
Iernanenl
"
"
"
6
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
8
"
"
"
"
"
"
1
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
1
"
"
"
Study
tIme
(hours)
1/16*
"
"
"

"
"
"
"

"
"
"
"
"
"
"
3/4
"
"
SIeep
tIme
(hours)
1*
"
"
"
4
"
"
"
"
4
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
6
"
"
UsabIe
duratIon
30 days
Iernanenl
Iernanenl.
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
Iernanenl
(1 day/IeveI) -4Z hours
Iernanenl
Iernanenl
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
Iernanenl
(1 day/IeveI) - 4
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
hours
(1 or 4 hours/IeveI) - 6Z hours
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
I e r n a n e n l
Iernanenl
17 hours
SpeciaI
Iernanenl
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
Iernanenl
* Assuned vaIues.
Continual light: This speII is oflen used
lo creale a pernanenl, porlalIe Iighl
source. If il is casl on lhe lollon of a Iong,
narrov lule (possilIy vilh a gIass Iens
and cap), a fIashIighl is crealed. This speII
can a!so le used as a varning device. If
lhe nagic-user covers lhe Iighl source
vilh a Iighlproof naleriaI and sels il up ly
a door, chesl, or olher ilen, lhen vhen
Second IeveI
Wizard mark: Though usefuI lo creale
or renove lirlhnarks or lalloos, lhis can
aIso le used lo nark ilens lo prove ovn-
ership, idenlify vhich ilens are lrapped,
indicale direclion, elc.
caI ilens can le faked, fron veapons lo
nisceIIaneous devices. Traps on ones
hone nay aIso le devised lefore Ieaving
on a Iong lrip, delerring aII lul lhe nosl
delernined lhieves - and lhose lhieves
nay find onIy fake ilens.
Forget: This is usefuI for causing olhers
lo forgel lhings lhal are leller Iefl un-
knovn - such as vho casl lhe charm
person on lhe recipienl.
InvisiliIily: This is nosl usefuI in render-
ing conpanions, nounls, faniIiars, vaIu-
alIe possessions, and so forlh invisible
lefore enlarking on a lrip or advenlure.
lhe ilen is nanipuIaled, lhe cover is re-
noved and lhe Iighl shines forlh, aIerling
lhose nearly. This is parlicuIarIy effeclive
againsl lhieves vho enpIoy silence 15
radius speIIs lo cover lhe noise of lheir
aclivilies. If used in conjunclion vilh
varning devices lhal nake a noise vhen
dislurled, lhen onIy lhieves vilh siIence
15 radius and continual darkness speIIs
can enler undelecled. If lhieves calch on
lo lhis, lhen lvo or nore continual light
speIIs can le used. One continual light viII
le canceIIed ly one continual darkness,
lul lhe second continual light viII sliII
shine forlh.
Lead sheeling lIocks cerlain nagicaI
Magic mouth: One of lhe lesl speIIs, lhis
one vonl aclivale unliI a generaI or spe-
cific sel of circunslances occurs (Players
Handbook, page 71). The speII can le sel
on a noney pouch, aclivaling vhen
louched ly any crealure excepl lhe
ovner. The speII can le pIaced on a porla-
lIe ilen vhich can le laken aIong on a
journey and pIaced in a roon or canpsile,
aclivaling vhen a slranger enlers or ap-
proaches. The speII can le used for a
dislraclion, shouling Iire! or a siniIar
nessage vhen aclivaled (especiaIIy fron a
dislance) ly lhe casler, perhaps using a
conlinalion of geslures. The speII can
even le used lo idenlify cerlain crealures
(shouling Denon! vhen a denon ap-
proaches, for exanpIe).
Leomunds trap: This nakes lhings diffi-
cuIl for lhieves, and nay sIov lhen dovn
enough lo prevenl lhe Ioss of vaIued goods
al hone or on lhe road.
10 FEBRUARY 1988
LeveI SpeII
Iiflh Leomunds secret chest
(conlinued) Magic jar
Sixlh
Stone shape
Wall of iron/stone
Contingency
Ensnarement
Geas
Invisible stalker
Move earth
Reincarnate
Spiritwrack
Tansmute water to dust
Cacodemon
Charm plant
Drawmijs instant summons
Limited wish
Mass invisibility
Phase door
Sequester
Sevenlh
Simulacrum
Antipathy/sympathy
Clone
Glassteel
Mass charm
Mind blank
Permanency
Polymorph any object
Sink
Symbol
Trap the soul
Astral spell
Crystalbrittle
Energy drain
Imprisonment
Succor
Wish
Lighlh
Ninlh
Iernanenl
Iernanenl
DuratIon
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
6O days
SpeciaI
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
1 use/2 IeveIs
1 veek + 1
day/IeveI
Iernanenl
2 hours/IeveI
Iernanenl
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
1 day
Iernanenl
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
Iernanenl
Iernanenl
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
"
1O
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
12
"
"
"
"
"

2
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
2
"
"
"
"
"
SIeep Study
tIme tIme
(hours) (hours)
8 1
" "
" "
" "
8 1
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
1 O
1
"
"
"
"
"
"
UsabIe
duratIon
6O days - 9 hours
SpeciaI
Iernanenl
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
Iernanenl
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
(1 veek + 1 day/IeveI) - 11 hours
Iernanenl
(2 hours/IeveI) - 12 hours
Iernanenl
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
12 hours
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
Iernanenl
Iernanenl
Iernanenl
SpeciaI
SpeciaI
Wizard lock: Use of lhis speII secures
speII looks, scroII lules, nanacIes, elc.
ThIrd IeveI
Explosive runes: This prolecls ilens
fron unaulhorized reading, lul can le
used offensiveIy vhen a neans of gelling
opponenls lo read lhe runes is devised.
Invisibility 10 radius: See invisibility,
Item: A very usefuI speII, lhis pernils
lhe lransporl of Iarge or luIky ilens. No
nenlion is nade aloul veighl reduclion
of lhe ilened oljecl, lul il vouId nol le
unreasonalIe lo ruIe lhal veighl is aIso
reduced. AIso, ilens lhal are nornaIIy
difficuIl or inpossilIe lo carry, such as a
pooI of lurning oiI, can nov le carried
safeIy.
Material: Connon naleriaIs can le
crealed for Ialer use vilh lhis speII, vhen
such ilens nay le hard lo Iocale or ol-
lain. If used in conjunclion vilh olher
speIIs, renarkalIe effecls nay le ol-,
lained, for exanpIe, slone nay le pro-
duced, nade inlo a slalue vilh stone
shape, given a magic mouth lo caII oul and
allracl an enenys allenlion, lhen given a
sepia snake sigil lo calch lhe eneny.
Secret page: This speII prevenls lhe
unaulhorized reading of naps, inslruc-
lions, inlroduclions, or olher vrilings.
Sepia snake sigiI: Anolher of lhe lesl of
speIIs, lhis speIIs second appIicalion (Un-
earthed Arcana, page 56 - a gIyph
narked on sone surface lhal is louched or
gazed upon) is very usefuI. If lhe gIyph is
casl on a coin, gen, or siniIar ilen lhal is
IikeIy lo le louched or gazed upon, il can
le packed avay unliI needed. Thus, lhe
speII can le used offensiveIy, or lo deIay
pursuil or defend againsl lhieves (vilh lhe
sigiI-narked ilen in a noney pouch or
pockel). The lhird appIicalion (a snaII
characler vrillen inlo sone nagic vork lo
prolecl il) viII prolecl scroIIs and speII
Protection from cantrips: This prolecls
recipienls fron annoying or lroulIesone
canlrips such as present, change, mute,
distract, or spider
Preserve: This preserves perishalIe
foods, speII ingredienls, or nonsler parls
vhiIe lraveIing.
dallion of ESP, page 15O). If nagicaI ener-
gies are lIocked, lhen il is reasonalIe lo
ruIe lhal Iead sheeling lIocks lhe signaIs
lhal aclivale lhe magic mouth speII. Thus,
Iead vrapping of magic mouthed ilens
shouId prevenl lhen fron leing aclivaled,
aIIoving lhen lo le lroughl on adven-
lures for Ialer use. They can lhen le un-
vrapped vhen needed. Lead vrapping
can aIso le used lo prolecl olher casl
speIIs such as continual light or sepia
snake sigil, and polions as veII, fron dis-
pel magic.
energies, as per lhe Players Handbook
(detect magic, page 44, ESP: page 7O, and,
clairvoyance, page 73) and lhe DMG (me-
DRAGON 11
12 FEBRUARY 1988
I ndex to
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FORUM
(continued from page 6)
that is, assuming you want to stick with human-
oid monsters. The lists of monsters that are not
humanoid are too lengthy to get into here.
Furthermore, a DM could be really mean and
give the party something really dangerous:
human opponents. These will definitely not be
laughed at not if the party has any intelligent
members.
Following these suggestions will enable you to
use orcs as they are meant to be used as
threats to low-level parties, and as the main
force in any large battles that may occur. Admit-
tedly, goblins and other smaller monsters are
also found as cannon fodder in the large battles,
but they are not the threat that orcs are.
Against the same size force, orcs will do much
more damage than the smaller humanoids; and
the orcs still have a high enough rate of birth to
keep their population replaced. This makes
them ideal for use as shock troops and for
harassing smaller parties of characters.
Tom Brincefield
Bridgewater VA
D R A G O N 13
looks, and can aIso le used as expIosive
runes.
Fourth IeveI
Charm monster: Casl on a nounl or
nonsler conpanion, lhis speII lecones
especiaIIy usefuI vhen connunicalion
vilh lhe recipienl is possilIe.
Dig: This canl le laken aIong on an
advenlure, lul lhe speII can le casl upon a
canpsile or siniIar area lo aid in ils de-
fense. In conlinalion vilh olher speIIs
nenlioned herein, a renarkalIe defensive
selling can le crealed in onIy one evening.
Fire trap: This is used lo defend cIosalIe
ilens. Il can le used offensiveIy vhen a
vay lo gel an opponenl lo open lhe ilen is
devi sed.
Hallucinatory terrain: This speII persisls
unliI dispeIIed or conlacled ly an inleIIi-
genl crealure. Iroper preparalion pays
off. See dig.
Massmorph: This is onIy casl upon viII-
ing crealures. Il Iasls unliI dispeIIed or lhe
casler connands il lo cease, il is lesl used
in advance lo sel up anlushes. See dig.
Plant growth: See dig.
Polymorph other: A greal speII! AInosl
any crealure can le crealed vilh lhis, if
enough is knovn aloul lhe crealure.
When conlined vilh charm monster and
olher speIIs, one can creale usefuI crea-
lures such as pegasi for lraveIing, a gianl
scorpion for guarding a passage, or a
heIIhound for allacking. Dangerous crea-
lures can le polymorphed inlo harnIess
crealures lhal can le safeIy handIed, lhen
changed lack vilh dispel magic vhen
needed. Lven a lyrannosaur can le
quickIy disposed of if changed inlo a snaII
crealure and drovned.
Rarys mnemonic enhancer: Afler lhis
speII is repIaced, lhe casler receives lhree
addilionaI speII IeveIs for lhe nexl 17
hours! Donl niss lhis one on lrips.
Stoneskin: This is anolher good speII lhal
prolecls lhe recipienl fron one physicaI
allack or allack sequence, such as lhe
cIav/cIav/lile of a dragon, a gianl-lhrovn
rock, or even faIIing danage (so lhe recipi-
enl can junp lo avoid a lad silualion). Sofl
veapons, such as fisls, vonl dispeI lhe
dveoner. The vhoIe parly, incIuding
faniIiars and vaIued nounls, shouId le
prolecled vilh lhis one.
FIIth IeveI
Animate dead: Turn lhose vanquished
hunanoids and high-IeveI nonsler foes
inlo your ovn ever-vigiIanl and IoyaI un-
dead Iegions (if you arenl good-aIigned, of
course). The skeIelons and zonlies are
innune lo sleep, charm, hold, coId-lased
allacks, and noraIe checks. This is greal
for defending an area, or for producing
cannon-fodder vhen allacking.
Avoidance: When casl on your vaIualIes,
such as noney pouches and nagic rings,
lhis prolecls lhen fron lhievery. If attrac-
tion, lhe reversed version, is casl upon
cursed or lrapped ilens (Iike lhose vilh
sepia snake sigil, explosive runes, fire
14 FEBRUARY 1988
Mass charm: See charm person/monster.
Mind blank: This gives I2-hour prolec-
lion againsl devices or speIIs lhal delecl,
infIuence, or read enolions or lhoughls,
naking il very nice lo use lefore a
Anlipalhy/synpalhy: This is siniIar lo
avoidance/attraction in ils uses.
Clone: See simulacrum.
Glassteel: Though of Iiniled usefuIness,
lhis speII creales aInosl unlreakalIe
polion conlainers, scroII lules, elc.
CheapIy nade gens nay aIso le crealed
for lrading purposes.
EIghth IeveI
Mass invisibility: See invisibility
Phase door: This provides a secure, Iong-
Iasling escape roule. See dig.
Sequester: This speII keeps vaIualIes
secure or opponenls on ice.
SinuIacrun: This speII is of Iiniled
usefuIness. UnIess a specific crealure and
ils knovIedge and personaIily are re-
quired, polymorph other is nore usefuI.
NonlheIess, il couId prove vaIualIe in
defensive silualions in lhe nagic-users
hone or Iair.
Cacodemon: See beckon.
Charm plant: See charm person/monster
and dig. This aIIovs connunicalion vilh
lhe suljecls, as does speak with plants, so
infornalion can le acquired.
Drawmijs instant summons: This keeps
vaIualIes secure, yel quickIy avaiIalIe.
Limited wish: AInosl unIiniled uses
exisl vilh lhis speII for preparalory or on-
lhe-spol uses.
Seventh IeveI
Contingency: This causes a conpanion
speII lo cone inlo effecl upon lhe occur-
rence of a specific circunslance. Donl le
vilhoul lhis, See lhe speIIs descriplion.
Ensnarement: See beckon.
Geas: This is siniIar lo charm person/
monster See beckon.
Invisible stalker: See beckon.
Move earth: See dig.
Reincarnate: This is of Iiniled usefuI-
ness, unIess a conpanion dies.
Spiritwrack: See beckon.
Transmute water to dust: This speII is of
Iiniled usefuIness, unIess a Iarge suppIy of
valer or dusl is needed, or nusl le re-
noved. See dig.
SIxth IeveI
trap, elc.), lhey nake greal gifls for enenies.
Beckon (reverse of dismissal): A con-
jured, olher-pIanar crealure can le used
lo invesligale an area or soflen up lhe
opposilion lefore lhe parly connils ilseIf.
This is very dangerous, hovever.
Fabricate: See material.
Leonunds secrel chest: This keeps
vaIualIes secure al hone and on lrips.
Magic jar: This speII can le usefuI, lul
onIy in Iiniled silualions. Il is vorlh con-
sidering if circunslances pernil and if lhe
risk seens reasonalIe.
Stone shape: See material.
Wall of iron/stone: See dig.
connando-slyIe raid.
Permanency: Of course, lhis nakes
cerlain speII effecls pernanenl. Il can le
exlreneIy usefuI on lhe speII-caslers ovn
person, as lhe Players Handbook (page 91)
indicales.
Polymorph any object: See polymorph
olher, naleriaI, and sinuIacrun.
Sink: See sequester
Symbol: See explosive runes and sepia
snake sigiI.
Trap the soul: This is usuaIIy used lo
confine a foe. Olher-pIanar crealures can
le required lo perforn a service innedi-
aleIy upon leing freed, lul lhe nagic-user
shouId lack off aflervard.
NInth IeveI
Astral spell: See lhe Manual of the
Planes for delaiIs on lhe use of lhis speII
and vhal il nay enlaiI, as veII as speII-
recovery lines.
Crystalbrittle: This speII is of Iiniled
usefuIness, unIess used lo veaken a foe or
olslruclion for a fulure encounler.
Energy dram: See crystalbrittle.
Imprisonment: See sequester
Succor: This speII teleports anolher
individuaI vilhoul error lo lhe caslers
sancluary, or lhe casler is lroughl lo lhe
presence of lhe individuaI. Succor Iasls
unliI used.
Wish: See limited wish.
Checks and baIances
Using lhis speII-casling slralegy requires
keeping lrack of vhal speIIs and hov
nany of each have leen nenorized and
casl lelveen advenlures. Sone risk is
inherenl lecause lhe nornaI conpIe-
nenl of speIIs is nol avaiIalIe if a surprise
encounler occurs. If caulion is laken, lhis
risk can le nuch Iess lhan lhe lenefil
ollained fron having lhese Iong-duralion
speIIs in effecl.
Magic-users viII aInosl inevilalIy lry lo
aluse lhis slralegy, lul il isnl necessary lo
forlid lhis slralegy oul of hand. Il can le
handIed ly adding encounlers lelveen
advenlures, vhen lhe nagic-users donl
have lheir usuaI speIIs nenorized. This
viII aIso use up speIIs lhal have leen casl,
such as invisibility or stoneskin. Throving
a fev dispel magic speIIs al lhe parly viII
aIso vork, aIlhough lhe ICs can use Iead
sheeling lo prolecl sone ilens. NICs can
aIso use lhis slralegy againsl lhe ICs. By
aIIoving lhe pIayers lo use lhis slralegy, a
DM viII have lo increase lhe IeveI of con-
pIexily and lhoughl pul inlo his pIay. DMs
vho use lhis slralegy vilh NICs viII Iike-
vise force lheir pIayers lo increase lhe
IeveI of lheir pIay in lhe sane vay. In lhe
end, aII viII lenefil.
This slralegy exenpIifies lhe leauly and
Iure of lhe AD&D gane, and for running
nagic-users in parlicuIar. No Iinils exisl lo
lhe Iayers upon Iayers of delaiI and con-
pIexily lhal can le incorporaled. The onIy
Iinils are lhose of inaginalion and lhe
anounl of line ganers are viIIing lo
invesl.
Arcane Lore
Mogic fron 1oeI Io WeeI
by Len Carpenter
Anong lhe nany nev fealures of lhe
Oriental Adventures suppIenenl are lvo
nev speII-casling cIasses, lhe shukenja and
vu jen. These lvo nev cIasses each have
lheir ovn conpIele speII Iisls, vhich in-
cIude nany speIIs lorroved fron lhe
speII-caslers of lradilionaI AD&D ganes.
CIericaI, druidic, nagic-user, and iIIusionisl
speIIs fron lhe Players Handbook and
Unearthed Arcana have leen adapled for
use ly shukenja and vu jen. The Oriental
Adventures speII Iisls aIso incIude nany
nev and originaI speIIs. WhiIe nany of
lhese speIIs are speciaIIy laiIored for use in
an OrienlaI canpaign, olher speIIs in lhe
look are fairIy lroad in nalure and couId
see use in nany silualions and cuIlures.
}usl as various speIIs have leen adapled
fron Wesl lo Lasl, nany of lhe speIIs
knovn lo OrienlaI characlers vouId vork
quile veII vilh lhe speII-caslers of Occi-
denlaI AD&D ganes. Iresenled herein are
four Iisls of OrienlaI speIIs adapled lo lhe
four najor speII-casling cIasses of Weslern
AD&D gane sellings.
In choosing vhich ones lo adapl, I
Iooked for ones lhal vere nol dependenl
on lhe unique quaIilies and characlerislics
of an OrienlaI canpaign vorId. SpeIIs lhal
loo grealIy overIapped or dupIicaled lhe
effecls of speIIs given in lhe Players Hand-
book or Unearthed Arcana are nol in-
cIuded in lhe speII Iisls leIov. A fev nev
speIIs are added for Weslern speII-caslers
ly lransIaling lhe effecls of an OrienlaI
speII inlo a siniIar speII lhal vouId le
proper in an OccidenlaI canpaign.
The specifics of lhese generaI guideIines
are discussed leIov in lhe connenlaries
on lhe four groups of nev speIIs. Any
changes or differences in lhe delaiIs of
lhese adapled speIIs are noled and ex-
pIained. The naleriaI conponenls, speII
IeveIs, casling lines, or specific effecls of
speIIs are oflen aIlered in appIying lhese
speIIs lo Weslern speII-caslers. IuII de-
scriplions of lhe fev conpIeleIy nev
speIIs are aIso given in lhese noles. In
lhese connenlaries, one aslerisk indicales
a speII vilh a sIighlIy aIlered lilIe, vhiIe
lvo aslerisks denoles a lolaIIy nev speII in
lhe gane. SinpIe allrevialions indicale
16 FEBRUARY 1988
The shape-changers of lhe Lasl are nol
knovn in lhe Wesl, so lhe lvo speIIs used
lo delecl or forcilIy change lhese leings
are inappropriale for cIerics. These lvo
speIIs, hovever, nay inspire nev speIIs
lhal affecl lhose crealures of lhe Wesl
vagueIy siniIar lo shape-changers - Iycan-
lhropes. Detect lycanthrope and force
werechange are lvo conpIeleIy nev speIIs
lhal nay le knovn ly cIerics.
The nelaphysics of lhe Orienl is differ-
enl fron lhal of lhe Wesl. Hunans of lhe
Lasl connonIy experience reincarnalion
of lhe spiril and nay have nany pasl Iives.
As hunans and nosl deni-hunans in lhe
Wesl are rareIy reincarnaled, lhe second
use of lhe remember speII is IargeIy un-
knovn lo cIerics.
AII of lhe nev cIericaI speIIs are adapled
fron lhe Iisl of shukenja speIIs. The Occi-
denlaI cIeric differs fron lhe shukenja
cIass in severaI inporlanl vays, vhich
nusl le laken inlo accounl vhen shukenja
speIIs are chosen. To legin vilh, lhe su-
pernaluraI leings of lhe Orienl are very
differenl fron lhose of lhe Wesl. The
spiril leings of lhe Lasl have no Occiden-
laI counlerparls, so lhe nany shukenja
speIIs used lo infIuence kani of aII lypes
cannol le adapled for use ly Weslern
cIerics.
CIerIcaI speIIs
lhe source of a speII, W} slands for a vu
jen speII, Sh for a shukenja speII. The
nunler foIIoving lhe lvo Iellers shovs
lhe speIIs IeveI.
The nany speIIs presenled here need
nol le inlroduced inlo an OccidenlaI can-
paign aII al once. SpeIIs shouId le inlro-
duced a IillIe al a line, appearing on
scroIIs or in hard-lo-find speII looks. CIeric
and druid speIIs nay le granled ly deilies
as lhe characlers prove lheir vorlh. Mosl
fun of aII, pIayer characlers nighl find
lhenseIves lhe largels of speIIs never
lefore seen. A fighler hil ly a magnetism
speII or a lhief nade IavfuI good ly a
compel speII nake for inleresling encoun-
lers in lhe canpaign.
Of course, lhe speII Iisls can le aIlered
as lhe Dungeon Masler sees fil. Sone
speIIs nay le considered inappropriale for
lhe canpaign, vhiIe addilionaI speIIs fron
Oriental Adventures nighl le inlroduced.
Shukenja differ fron cIerics in lheir
range of possilIe aIignnenl posilions.
WhiIe shukenja are good-aIigned hoIy
persons vho revere a greal nany kani,
cIerics are vorshipers of a specific deily
and can hoId any one of lhe nine differenl
aIignnenls. Those speIIs used ly shukenja
lo coerce a vicked person inlo foIIoving a
nore enIighlened vay of Iife nusl le
nodified - or even alandoned - lo suil
lhe fuII range of aIignnenls avaiIalIe lo
cIerics. Remorse is a speII quile unsuilalIe
for neulraI or eviI cIerics, and so shouId le
prohililed fron use ly lhe cIeric cIass.
Olher speIIs such as oath and compel nusl
le lroadened in scope lo pernil a cIeric of
any aIignnenl lo coerce anolher inlo
lehaving in a vay cIoser lo lhe cIerics
aIignnenl and leIiefs.
Shukenja are highIy adepl al casling
divinalion speIIs. CIerics vho do nol have
such greal inleresl in lhe fulure or for-
lune leIIing shouId gain speIIs such as
omen or fate al a higher speII IeveI.
The naleriaI conponenls of a nunler
of speIIs nusl le changed lo refIecl reIi-
gious or cuIluraI differences lelveen Lasl
and Wesl. Olher changes in speII descrip-
lions are nade for various reasons of
nagic speciaIly, a deilys sphere of infIu-
ence, or cIarily of descriplion.
FIrst IeveI
Calm: (Sh1) This speII nay le used ly a
cIeric lo soolhe nosl forns of nenlaI
dislress, excepl for nagicaI fear, vhich
can onIy le canceIIed ly a remove fear
speII. This speII is idenlicaI lo lhe shukenja
speII in aII olher vays lul requires no
naleriaI conponenl.
Detect disease: (Sh1) The cIericaI version
of lhis speII uses no naleriaI conponenl.
Second IeveI
Detect harmony: (Sh1) The naleriaI
conponenl for lhis speII is lhe cIeric's hoIy
synloI.
Omen: (Sh1) This speII is considered lo
le second IeveI for nosl cIerics, aIlhough
a deily vhose sphere of infIuence incIudes
divinalion and forlune leIIing nay leslov
omen as a firsl-IeveI speII.
Weapon bless: (Sh1) The naleriaI conpo-
nenls for lhe cIerics speII are a quiII nade
fron lhe fealher of an eagIe and ink nade
fron dragons lIood. The idenlily of lhe
foe and severaI prayers of lhe cIerics
reIigion are vrillen on lhe veapon using
lhe quiII and ink, jusl as descriled under
lhe shukenja speII.
ThIrd IeveI
Castigate: (Sh3) As per lhe Oriental Ad-
ventures speII.
Detect curse: (Sh3) The naleriaI conpo-
nenls for lhis speII are a snaII gen vorlh
al Ieasl 1O gp and a fev fresh rose pelaIs.
Snake summoning: (Sh2) This speII viII
onIy affecl ordinary, nonnagicaI snakes,
no serpenl or serpenlIike crealures are
sunnoned ly lhe cIericaI version of lhis
speII. The naleriaI conponenls for lhis
speII are lhe cIerics hoIy synloI and a
ninialure siIver fIule lhal disappears
vhen lhe speII is casl.
Sulslilulion: (Sh3) Deilies vilh IillIe
regard for heaIing or proleclive nagic,
nolalIy var gods, larlarian deilies, or
dealh gods, viII nol granl lhis speII lo
lheir cIericaI vorshipers. The prepared
slalue nusl le nade fron naleriaIs cosl-
ing al Ieasl 25 gp.
Warning: (Sh2) To nore cIearIy separale
lhis speII fron lhe find traps speII, lhis
speII is lrealed as a lhird-IeveI inproved
version of lhe find traps speII, ralher lhan
a second-IeveI speII lhal parlIy dupIicales
lhe povers of lhe exisling cIericaI speII.
The chance lo delecl any nechanicaI or
nagicaI lrap vilhin lhe 10' radius of de-
leclion of lhe warning speII rises lo 1OO.
The chance of delecling any olher lype of
danger, incIuding invisible opponenls, rises
lo 5O. The casling line of lhis speII is 6
segnenls. This speII is idenlicaI lo lhe
shukenjas warning speII in aII olher vays.
Fourth IeveI
Detect lycanthrope: (* *) This speII is
siniIar lo lhe fourlh-IeveI shukenja speII
detect shapechanger, excepl il can delecl
any forn of Iycanlhrope. When casl upon
a Iycanlhrope in hunan forn, lhe speII
reveaIs lhe person lo le a Iycanlhrope, lul
does nol idenlify vhich lype of Iycan-
lhrope lhe person is. If casl upon a Iycan-
lhrope in aninaI forn, lhe speII reveaIs
lhe crealure is a Iycanlhrope, lul does nol
divuIge lhe crealures hunan idenlily. The
naleriaI conponenl for lhis speII is a laIn
of honey, dried carrol, noonvorl, and
leIIadonna, vhich is rulled onlo lhe
caslers eyeIids. This speII is olhervise
idenlicaI lo detect shapechanger in range,
duralion, area of effecl, and casling line.
Endurance: (Sh4) The naleriaI conpo-
nenl for lhe reversed version, fatigue, is a
snaII quanlily of cunin seeds or poison
nul.
Oath: (Sh3) UnIike shukenja vilh lheir
aIignnenl Iinilalion, cIerics of aII aIign-
nenls nay casl lhis speII upon opponenls
of any aIignnenl in order lo force lhen
inlo a desired lehavior. A chaolic cIeric
viII le Iess IikeIy lo alide ly lhe condi-
lions of lhe oalh lhan a IavfuI or neulraI
cIeric.
Pacify: (Sh4) As per lhe Oriental Adven-
tures speII.
Reanimation: (Sh4) The naleriaI conpo-
nenls for lhis speII are lhe cIerics hoIy
synloI, lurning incense, and lhe cIerics
prayer veslnenl.
Sustain: (Sh4) The naleriaI conponenls
for lhis speII are a fev drops of vine and
a snaII piece of lread.
FIIth IeveI
Advice: (Sh5) As per lhe Oriental Adven-
tures speII.
Fare: (Sh4) Many deilies vilh IillIe inler-
esl in fale, desliny, or divinalion viII nol
leslov lhis speII on lheir cIerics. Ior a
deily vilh a speciaI inleresl in divinalion
Force werechange: ( * * ) This speII is
sonevhal siniIar lo lhe sixlh-IeveI shu-
kenja speII force shapechange. This speII
can le used lo force a Iycanlhrope lo
relurn lack lo his or her hunan forn, or
lo cause a Iycanlhrope lo go fron hunan
lo vereforn againsl ils viII. This speII
does nol infIicl lhe vracking pain of force
shapechange, lul nighl cause injury if lhe
Iycanlhrope assunes vereforn vhiIe
conslricled ly arnor (see page 23 of lhe
Dungeon Masters Guide). A Iycanlhrope is
enlilIed lo a save vs. speIIs lo avoid having
his forn changed ly lhis speII. If lhe save
is successfuI, lhe Iycanlhrope does nol
change forn, and does nol lake any dan-
age in lrying lo resisl lhis speII. The nale-
riaI conponenl of lhis speII is a noonslone
crushed inlo dusl vhen lhe speII is casl.
This speII is olhervise idenlicaI lo force
shapechange in range, duralion, area of
effecl, and casling line.
Instruct: (Sh6) The cIericaI version of
lhis speII is grealIy aIlered lecause cIerics
of aII aIignnenls nay casl lhis speII. A
Iislener vhose aIignnenl is very differenl
fron lhal of lhe casler viII nol le so easiIy
svayed. Lisleners vilh a difference of one
aIignnenl conponenl (eilher IavfuI, neu-
lraI, chaolic, good, or eviI) gain a + 1 lo-
nus lo lhe saving lhrov. Lisleners vilh
lolh aIignnenl conponenls differenl fron
lhal of lhe casler gain a + 3 lonus. A
characler nay sliII faiI lhe save and le-
cone slrongIy devoled lo lhe nev reIigion
SIxth IeveI
or aslroIogy, lhis speII nay le granled as a
fourlh-IeveI speII inslead of a fiflh IeveI.
The naleriaI conponenls for lhis speII
nay vary depending on lhe parlicuIar
nelhod of divinalion prescriled ly lhe
cIerics reIigion, as delernined ly lhe DM.
Immunity to weapons: (Sh6) This speII is
lrealed exaclIy as descriled in Oriental
Adventures, lul is handIed as a fiflh-IeveI
speII lo acconodale lhe exisling speII
descriplion. Trealing lhis speII as a sixlh-
IeveI speII poses a prolIen, aIlhough lhe
speII descriplion slales lhal shukenja of
11lh IeveI or leIov can provide innunily
lo nornaI veapons vilh lhis speII, a shu-
kenja nusl le al Ieasl 14th IeveI lo casl
immunity to weapons as a sixlh-IeveI speII.
Ior lhe exisling speII descriplion lo nake
sense, il vouId le leller lo lreal lhis speII
as fiflh IeveI for shukenja and cIerics. The
casling line of lhe cIericaI speII version is
8 segnenls.
Remember: (Sh5) Ior nosl cIerics, lhis
speII can onIy reslore Iosl nenories. This
speII vonl usuaIIy confer any knovIedge
of pasl Iives, lecause nosl characler races
of Weslern AD&D gane canpaigns do nol
experience reincarnalion. OnIy eIven
cIerics nighl le alIe lo peer inlo lhe pasl
Iives of olher eIves vilh lhis speII. Reincar-
nated ICs viII have a nuch cIearer nen-
ory of lheir previous Iife vilh lhis speII,
possilIy aIIoving lhe use of cerlain skiIIs
and aliIilies in lhe nev forn, as deler-
nined ly lhe DM.
ly roIIing a 1 for lhe save vs. dealh nagic.
CIerics, druids, paIadins, and rangers aII
gain an addilionaI +2 lo lhe save for lheir
slrong failh in and dedicalion lo lheir
aIignnenl and reIigion. These characlers
nay sliII deveIop a niId inleresl in lhe
nev reIigion ly roIIing a 1 for lhe saving
lhrov, lul are innune fron leconing
slrongIy devoled lo lhe speII-caslers
reIigion.
A characler vho lecones niIdIy inler-
esled in lhe caslers reIigion nay connil
sone ninor lransgressions againsl his or
her originaI aIignnenl, and nay le penaI-
ized accordingIy. A paIadin nighl Iose
sone of his inporlanl povers, or a cIeric
nay Iose louch vilh her deily and le
denied higher-IeveI speIIs. The effecls of
niId inleresl nay le canceIIed ly an
atonement speII.
A characler deveIoping a slrong inleresl
in lhe nev reIigion is considered lo have
suffered an invoIunlary aIignnenl change.
The characler nay le lroughl lack lo his
originaI aIignnenl and failh ly receiving
an atonement speII.
When lhe cIeric casling lhis speII ad-
dresses a crovd, lhe saving lhrov is han-
dIed as descriled in Oriental Adventures,
lul a lonus of + 1 lo + 3 nay le appIied
lo lhe groups saving lhrov, depending on
lhe generaI aIignnenl nake-up of lhe
peopIe Iislening.
Smite: (Sh6) As per lhe Oriental Adven-
t ures speI I .
Seventh IeveI
Ancient curse: (Sh7) This curse nay le
caIIed upon ly a cIeric of any aIignnenl lo
lring lhe vralh of lhe cIerics deily upon a
foe of lolh cIeric and deily. The DM nusl
decide vhelher lhe deily feeIs lhe curse is
varranled, judging ly lhe inlended lar-
gels olslruclion or opposilion lo lhe cIer-
ics reIigion and cause. An eviI cIeric nay
caII lhis curse upon a good and nolIe foe
of lhe cIerics reIigion as readiIy as a good
cIeric nay caII lhis curse dovn upon a
vicked person, In facl, undoing an ancient
curse casl ly an eviI cIeric nay le lhe goaI
of a canpaign advenlure.
Compel: (Sh7) This speII nay le used ly
a cIeric of any aIignnenl lo lring a foe
inlo Iine vilh lhe cIerics aIignnenl. If lhe
conpeIIed characler is changed lo an
aIignnenl oulside lhe characlers cIass,
lhen aII speciaI aliIilies and povers of lhe
cIass are Iosl. A paIadin changed lo lhe
neulraI-eviI aIignnenl lecones an ordi-
nary fighler. This speII nay le reversed ly
a wish or atonement speII.
Longevity: (Sh6) The naleriaI conpo-
nenls for lhis speII are a piece of gianl
lorloise sheII and an offering lo lhe cIerics
deily vorlh al Ieasl 1,OOO gp.
DruIdIc speIIs
The Iisl of nev druidic speIIs conlains a
nix of vu jen and shukenja speIIs. The
lrick of choosing nev druidic speIIs is lo
pick speIIs lhal vouId suil lhe druid cIass
DRAGON 17
vilhoul rolling lhe OrienlaI cIasses of aII
SpeIIs lhal loo cIoseIy dupIicale exisling
druidic speIIs shouId le avoided, and so
of lheir inleresling nalure speIIs.
shouId speIIs lhal vouId overIoad lhe
druid vilh loo nany speIIs lhal are varia-
lions on a singIe lhene. Druids have no
need for lhe animal companion speII vhen
lhey aIready knov animal friendship.
Druids have pIenly of inleresling fire
speIIs as il is vilhoul piIing on nore fire
speIIs lhal shouId renain unique lo lhe vu
jen cIass.
SpeIIs lhal seen proper al firsl gIance
are reveaIed lo le inappropriale afler
cIoser inspeclion. Drowsy insects vouId
seen a naluraI speII for druids ly ils very
nane, lul lhe lrue effecl of lhe speII is
cIoser lo lhe nagic-users sIeep speII. Re-
verse fIov is a valer-conlroI speII lhal
nighl appear reasonalIe as a druidic speII,
lul vhy vouId druids vish lo aIler lhe
naluraI fIov of rivers or valerfaIIs jusl lo
le alIe lo paddIe fasler upslrean`
The wood rot speII is oflen inappro-
priale for druids, aIlhough ils reverse,
prevent rot, vouId vork veII vilh lhe
cIass. A lolaIIy nev speII in lhe gane, cure
rot, is inlended lo overcone lhe nain
Iinilalion on lhe pover of prevent rot.
AII of lhe nev druidic speIIs are aIlered
in sone vay, usuaIIy lo acconnodale lhe
differenl naleriaI conponenls lhal druids
use vilh speIIs. MislIeloe is a hoIy synloI
and is incIuded anong lhe naleriaI con-
ponenls of aII druidic speIIs, and lhe nale-
riaI conponenls lhal are proper in lhe
Orienl nusl oflen le repIaced ly naleri-
aIs connonIy found in a CeIlic viIderness
selling.
FIrst IeveI
Detect disease: (Sh1) This speII is idenli-
caI lo lhe shukenja speII, lul if lhe druid
can idenlify lhe disease and il is a nornaI,
nonnagicaI disease nalive lo lhe druids
honeIand, lhen lhe druid has a 5 chance
per IeveI of experience lo concocl a nalu-
raI cure for lhe disease. Making lhe cure
lakes 2-8 lurns. The naleriaI conponenl
for lhis speII is nislIeloe.
Resist: (Sh1) The naleriaI conponenls
for lhis speII are nislIeloe, a fev edilIe
lerries, a drop of valer, and a fealher
fron a vren. This speII is a favorile of
rangers.
Second IeveI
Animate wood: (W}1) The naleriaI con-
ponenl for lhis speII is nislIeloe.
Create spring: (Sh2) The naleriaI conpo-
nenls for lhis speII are nislIeloe and a
freshvaler reed.
Swim: (W}1) The reverse of lhis speII,
sinking, cannol le casl ly druids. The
naleriaI conponenls for lhis speII are
nislIeloe and a fish scaIe.
ThIrd IeveI
Animate water: (W}2) The naleriaI
conponenls for lhis speII are nislIeloe
18 FEBRUARY 1988
This speII aIso cures any rolling, decay,
or danage lo Iiving lrees or pIanls caused
ly naluraI disease or Iiving organisns.
xpIunutIon/escvIptIon: This speII is
Iike a nore poverfuI version of lhe pre-
venl rol speII. If casl upon a vooden ol-
jecl affecled ly a wood rot speII, lhis speII
conpIeleIy cures lhe vood rol al a rale of
1 culic fool per round unliI lhe oljecl is
reslored lo ils originaI condilion. Al Ieasl
parl of lhe originaI vood nusl le inlacl
for lhis speII lo cure lhe rol, an oljecl lhal
has lolaIIy rolled inlo dusl cannol le
cured.
Conponenls: V,S,M
CT: 7 seg.
ST: None
LeveI: 5
Range: 3
Duralion: Perm.
AL: Special
Cure Rot * * (AIleralion)
FIIth IeveI
Prevent rot: (W}5*) This speII is lhe
reverse of lhe fiflh-IeveI vu jen speII wood
rot. Prevent rot is lhe Iisled speII for
druids, since prevenling vood rol is of
greal inleresl lo druids, vhiIe wood rot
vouId see onIy Iiniled use. A druid vouId
never use wood vot againsl heaIlhy, Iiving
vood, lul nighl use wood rot againsl
nonIiving vood or hosliIe pIanl crealures.
The casling line for lhe druidic speII
version is 6 segnenls. The onIy naleriaI
conponenl is nislIeloe.
Animate fire: (WJ3) The naleriaI conpo-
nenls for lhis speII are nislIeloe and a fev
hoIIy lerries.
Elemental turning: (W}4) This speII does
nol lurn eIenenlaIs lhrough lhe pover of
fear, lul causes lhen lo vander avay
peacefuIIy due lo lhe druids undersland-
ing and connand of eIenenlaI leings. An
eIenenlaI cannol le forced lo relurn lo ils
pIane of origin ly cornering il, lul il nay
le senl lack lo ils ovn pIane ly lhe druid
if lhe eIenenlaI is viIIing lo relurn. If lhe
eIenenlaI is leing conlroIIed ly anolher
leing, lhen a vay nusl le found lo lreak
lhe crealures concenlralion in order for
lhe druid lo peacefuIIy send lhe eIenenlaI
lack lo ils hone pIane. The casling line of
lhe druidic speII version is 6 segnenls.
The naleriaI conponenls for lhis speII are
nislIeloe and a pinch of lhe eIenenl iden-
tical lo lhe lype of eIenenlaI lo le con-
nanded - a pinch of earlh for earlh
eIenenlaIs, a puff of lrealh for air eIe-
nenlaIs, elc.
Fourth IeveI
Wood shape: (W}3) Druids shouId le
very reIuclanl lo use lhis speII on Iiving
vood, of course, lul nay use il freeIy on
nonIiving vood. The naleriaI conponenls
for lhis speII are nislIeloe and a ninialure
adze (as per lhe OrienlaI version).
and a snaII viaI of spring valer nixed
Still water: (WJ1) The naleriaI conpo-
vilh cinnalar ore.
nenls for lhis speII are nislIeloe and a
snaII fan.
Danage is cured al a rale of 1 culic fool
of vood per round, or 1 square yard of
pIanl grovlh per round. Al Ieasl parl of
lhe originaI pIanl Iife nusl renain inlacl
for lhe speII lo lake effecl. This speII nay
cure up lo one acre of pIanl Iife, so lhe
speII nay lreal a snaII grove of diseased
lrees or a garden pIol parlIy deslroyed ly
insecls. The naleriaI conponenls for lhis
speII are nislIeloe and a dead voodlorer
leelIe.
Ironwood: (W}5) The naleriaI conpo-
nenls for lhis speII are nelaI fiIings nixed
vilh viIIov lree sap, and nislIeloe sprigs.
Sustain: (Sh4) The naleriaI conponenls
for lhis speII are nislIeloe, a snaII viaI of
spring valer, and a fev edilIe nuls or
lerries.
Water to poison: (W}5) This speII nay le
casl ly druids onIy if lhe DM pernils
druids lo use poison. The reverse of lhis
speII, poison to water nay le used freeIy.
The naleriaI conponenls for lhis speII are
nislIeloe and lhe fang of a poisonous
snake lriefIy dipped inlo lhe Iiquid.
SIxth IeveI
Quickgrowth: (Sh6) This speII nusl le
used vilh care ly druids, vho shouId nol
use il jusl lo creale naluraI curiosilies lo
inpress lhe rules. A good reason shouId
aIvays le given for lhis speIIs use. The
reverse of lhis speII, wither, is rareIy used
againsl Iiving pIanls. MislIeloe repIaces lhe
slaff as lhe naleriaI conponenl for lhis
speII.
Warp stone: (W}6) MislIeloe is needed in
addilion lo a piece of lvisled cIay as lhis
speIIs naleriaI conponenls.
MagIc-user speIIs
The najorily of nev nagic-user speIIs
are cuIIed fron lhe Iisl of vu jen speIIs. In
choosing lhese speIIs, il is lesl lo pick
lhose lhal vouId see use in a variely of
differenl cuIlures and socielies, and lo
avoid lhose speciaI speIIs lhal shouId re-
nain unique lo lhe vu jen cIass.
WhiIe vu jen sorcerers and OccidenlaI
nagic-users are lolh alIe lo casl a lroad
range of speIIs, vu jen are sonevhal
nore speciaIized in lheir aliIilies. Wu jen
are experls in lhe fieId of eIenenl conlroI,
vhen speIIs deaIing vilh lhe eIenenls and
eIenenlaI leings are adapled for use ly
lhe nagic-user cIass, sone of lhese speIIs
nade avaiIalIe lo lhe nagic-user shouId le
pIaced al a higher speII IeveI or le loned
dovn in pover. SliII valer and aninale
valer are lolh lrealed as one speII IeveI
higher for nagic-users. Elemental turning
and elemental servant are sIighlIy Iess
poverfuI vhen casl ly a nagic-user lhan
vhen casl ly a vu jen sorcerer.
Cerlain olher speIIs of eIenenl conlroI
are loo speciaI lo le granled lo nagic-
users. The nosl poverfuI of eIenenl
conlroI vu jen speIIs, nolalIy ice blight,
whirlwind, internal fire, and tsunami,
shouId le reserved for lhe vu jen onIy
DRAGON 19
lo aIIov lhe cIass lo nainlain ils speciaI
aliIilies and characlerislics.
Olher vu jen speIIs are loo siniIar lo
exisling nagic-user speIIs. Magic-users
vho can hurI firelaIIs do nol need lo have
lhe fire rain speII nade avaiIalIe lo lhen
as veII. Magic-users do nol need lhe water
protection speII vhen lhey can aIready
casl water breathing. Fire wings is loo
speciaIized for nagic-users lo use, and
nagic-users can aIready casl fIy.
Magic-users do gain a fev shukenja
speIIs. Delecl curse is gained as a fourlh-
IeveI speII, lecause nagic-users can casl
remove curse al lhe sane speII IeveI. The
nev speII detect lycanthrope is aIso avaiIa-
lIe lo lhe nagic-user al lhe lhird speII
IeveI. Mental strength and Iongevily are
gained al higher speII IeveIs.
Magic-user speIIs are nol as grealIy
aIlered as cIeric or druid speIIs, since lhe
naleriaI conponenls for nosl vu jen
speIIs vork veII vilh nagic-user speIIs.
Changes nade in speIIs are usuaIIy ninor.
FIrst IeveI
Accuracy: (W}1) A quiII nade fron lhe
fealher of a havk is used in pIace of lhe
lrush lo inscrile lhe nyslicaI characler
on each enchanled nissiIe.
Chameleon: (W}1) As per lhe Oriental
Adventures speII.
Secret signs: (W}1) As per lhe Oriental
Adventures speII.
Swim: (W}1) As per lhe Oriental Adven-
tures speII.
Second IeveI
Prestidigitation: (W}1) As per lhe Orien-
tal Adventures speII.
Protection from charm: (W}2) As per lhe
Oriental Adventures speII.
Still water: (W}1) As per lhe Oriental
Adventures speII.
ThIrd LeveI
Animate fire: (W}3) As per lhe Oriental
Adventures speII.
Animate water: (W}2) As per lhe Orien-
tal Adventures speII.
Detect lycanthrope: (* *) This speII is
idenlicaI lo lhe nev fourlh-IeveI cIericaI
speII given alove.
Magnetism: (W}3) As per lhe Oriental
Adventures speII.
Memory: (W}3) The naleriaI conpo-
nenls for lhis speII are a quiII nade fron
an ovIs fealher, a pol of ink, and a sheel
of veIIun.
Fourth IeveI
Detect curse: (Sh3) This speII requires no
naleriaI conponenl.
Elemental turning: (W}4) LIenenlaIs
nake lheir saving lhrov vs. lhis speII al
+2 lo lheir roII, lecause nagic-users are
nol as adepl al conlroIIing lhe eIenenls
and eIenenlaIs as are vu jen sorcerers.
Melt metal: (W}4) The naleriaI conpo-
nenl for lhis speII is a ruly chip vorlh al
Ieasl 1OO gp.
20 FEBRUARY 1988
Prestidigitation is a firsl-IeveI speII for
iIIusionisls, conpared lo second IeveI for
nagic-users. Tvo lhird-IeveI vu jen speIIs,
disguise and face, are lrealed as second
IeveI for iIIusionisls. Bolh speIIs are consid-
ered lo le speciaIized forns of lhe alter
self speII, used for very speciaI roIes lo
Of lhe four nain speII-casling cIasses of
Weslern AD&D gane canpaigns, lhe
iIIusionisl gains lhe fevesl nev speIIs. Bul
unIike olher OccidenlaI cIasses, iIIusionisls
(vho are such greal speciaIisls in one area
of nagic) do nol suffer grealIy fron lhe
speII IeveI changes appIied lo lhe olher
Weslern characler cIasses.
IIIusIonIst speIIs
Surelife: The naleriaI conponenl for
lhis speII is a lullerfIy cocoon fIoaling in a
haIf-fiIIed viaI of Iiquid nercury.
Longevity: The naleriaI conponenls for
lhis speII are a piece of gianl lorloise sheII
and a scaIe fron an ancienl dragon of any
sorl or size.
EIghth IeveI
Tool: (W}7) As per lhe Oriental Adven-
tures speII.
Elemental servant: The lask lo le con-
pIeled ly lhe eIenenlaI can lake no Ionger
lhan one day per lvo IeveIs of experience
of lhe nagic-user.
Seventh IeveI
Warp stone: (W}6) As per lhe Oriental
Adventures speII.
Pain: (W}6) As per lhe Oriental Adven-
tures speII.
Gamblers luck: (W}6) As per lhe Orien-
tal Adventures speII.
MelaI lo rusl: (W}6) As per lhe OrienlaI
Adventures speII.
Aura: (W}6) As per lhe Oriental Adven-
tures speII.
SIxth IeveI
Servant horde: The casling line of lhis
speII is 5 segnenls.
Water to poison: (W}5) As per lhe Orien-
tal Adventures speII.
Wood rot: The casling line of lhis speII
is 5 segnenls.
Mental strength: (Sh5) As per lhe Orien-
tal Adventures speII.
Metal skin: (W}5) As per lhe Oriental
Adventures speII.
Mass: (W}5) As per lhe Oriental Adven-
tures speII.
Ironwood: (W}5) As per lhe Oriental
Adventures speII.
FIIth IeveI
Wood shape: (W}3) As per lhe Oriental
Adventures speII.
Transfix: (W}4) As per lhe Oriental Ad-
ventures speII.
Reverse flow: The duralion of lhis speII
is onIy 4 lurns/IeveI of experience of lhe
casler.
Quell: (W}4) As per lhe Oriental Adven-
tures speII.
fooI olhers regarding lhe characlers lrue
appearance or slalus. A very poverfuI vu
jen speII, sunnoning vind, is knovn in a
Iess-poverfuI sevenlh-IeveI forn. Iev
olher high-IeveI speIIs fron Oriental Ad-
ventures are appIicalIe lo lhe iIIusionisl
cIass.
Tvo vu jen speIIs are sIighlIy aIlered
and renaned for iIIusionisls. The vu jens
fiery eyes and smoke shape speIIs are
knovn lo iIIusionisls under differenl
nanes and have reslricled effecls.
FIrst IeveI
Apparition: (W}2) The casling line of
lhe iIIusionisl version is onIy 1 segnenl.
Chameleon: (W}1) The casling line of
lhis speII is onIy 1 segnenl.
Glowing eyes: (W}1*) This speII is siniIar
lo lhe firsl-IeveI vu jen speII fiery eyes in
nosl respecls, lul vilh lhe foIIoving
exceplions. This speII version has no heal
conponenl lo il, so conluslilIes cannol
le sel on fire ly lhe leans of Iighl. AIso,
lhe casling line of lhis speII is onIy 1
segnenl. This speII lehaves as does fiery
eyes in aII olher vays.
Prestidigitation: (WJ1) The reverse of
lhis speII, fumble-fingers, cannol le casl
ly iIIusionisls. The casling line of lhis
speII is onIy 1 segnenl.
Second IeveI
Disguise: (W}3) The casling line of lhis
speII is onIy 1 round.
Iace: (W}3) This speII nay inprove lhe
apparenl sociaI cIass of lhe iIIusionisl ly
Id4 ranks, such as fron Iover niddIe
cIass lo niddIe upper cIass (refer lo lhe
SociaI CIass TalIe on page 82 of Unearthed
Arcana). The reverse of lhis speII, lose
face, is unknovn lo iIIusionisls. The casl-
ing line of lhis speII is lul 1 round.
Fog shape: (W}2 *) This speII is siniIar lo
lhe second-IeveI vu jen speII smoke shape,
lul onIy fog or nisl nay le shaped, nol
snoke fron a fire. The casling line of lhis
speII is onIy 2 segnenls.
ThIrd IeveI
Memory: (W}3) The naleriaI conpo-
nenls for lhis speII are a quiII nade fron
an ovIs fealher, a pol of ink, and a sheel
of veIIun. The reverse of lhis speII, erase-
ment, cannol le casl ly iIIusionisls.
FIIth IeveI
Creeping darkness: (W}5) The naleriaI
conponenls for lhis speII are a vhisker
fron a lIack cal, a drop of pilch, and a
snaII lil of olsidian.
Seventh IeveI
Summoning wind: (W}8) The nunler of
crealures lhal nay le conlacled using lhe
iIIusionisl speII version is onIy five lines
lhe IeveI of lhe casler. This speII has a
naxinun range Iinil of 1OO niIes per
IeveI of lhe casler alove ground, or 1O
niIes per IeveI underground.
HoId
On to Your
Keelng l||uslons (and l||uslonlsts)
ln ba|ance
IIIusIons!
by BrIan TIIIotson
IIIusions can le one of lhe nosl fIexilIe
and crealive aspecls of lhe AD&D gane,
yel nany DMs vouId ralher shake hands
vilh a vrailh lhan referee an iIIusionisl
IC. The officiaI ruIes provide no Iinils lo
lhe pover of iIIusion speIIs. As a resuIl,
lhe hislories of nany canpaigns incIude
one lallIe in vhich a Iov-IeveI iIIusionisl
singIe-handedIy denoIished a poverfuI
foe. This lallIe is usuaIIy foIIoved ly so
nany DM-inposed reslriclions lhal iIIu-
sions lecone useIess in lhe canpaign.
When can ICs or NICs disleIieve iIIu-
sions` Hov nuch danage can an iIIusion
do` Hov conpIex can an iIIusion le` This
arlicIe Iooks al hov iIIusions vork, and
descriles ruIes for using iIIusions vilhoul
upselling gane laIance or reslricling
crealivily. Mosl of lhe arlicIe appIies lo lhe
phantasmal force faniIy of speIIs, lul
olher iIIusion/phanlasn povers are dis-
cussed as needed.
In lhis arlicIe, iIIusionisl neans anyone
vho creales and conlroIs iIIusions. This
individuaI does nol have lo le a nenler
of lhe iIIusionisl cIass. Magic-users nay
choose phantasmal force as a lhird-IeveI
speII, nasler lhieves nay casl iIIusions
fron scroIIs, and sone nonslers and
nagicaI ilens nay creale iIIusions.
How IIIusIons work
The image: mental or physical?
A visuaI iIIusion is an inage vilhoul
sulslance. Il cannol affecl oljecls or crea-
lures lhal do nol perceive lhe inage. Bul
is lhe inage ilseIf reaI` Does il refIecl and
alsorl Iighl as a pholograph or painling
vouId, or does il exisl onIy in lhe ninds of
ils viclins` OfficiaI pulIicalions give no
expIicil ansver, lul lhere are lvo reasons
22 FEBRUARY 1988
The ansver lo vhelher lhe inage is
inaginary or reaI delernines hov iIIusions
vork in a canpaign. If lhe inage exisls
onIy in vievers ninds, lhen lhe DM nighl
Second, projecling iIIusory inages inlo
vievers ninds seens unreasonalIy pov-
erfuI. According lo lhe Players Handbook,
page 75, aII leIieving crealures vhich
viev lhe phantasmal force are affecled
ly il. The vievers can le al any dislance,
and need nol le knovn lo lhe iIIusionisl.
To affecl aII vievers ninds direclIy re-
quires nagic lo reach over lrenendous
range and area, and inlo an unIiniled
nunler of ninds. (Consider an iIIusion of
a fIying dragon vieved fron niIes avay
ly a Iarge arny.) Iurlher, each vievers
inage nusl le differenl lo accounl for
dislance and vieving angIe. This unique
perspeclive nusl le handIed aulonalicaIIy
ly lhe speII lecause lhe iIIusionisl nighl
nol knov vhere aII lhe vievers are. If
lhals hov il vorks, lhen phantasmal force
and ils kin are poverfuI speIIs indeed!
IIIusions seen nore reasonalIe if lhey
vork Iike noliIe lhree-dinensionaI painl-
ings. Iainling vilh nagic, lhe iIIusionisl
creales an inage vhich is seen ly lhe
vievers eyes. The nagic is reslricled in
range and area of effecl. The iIIusionisl
need nol Iocale aII lhe vievers, anyone
vho Iooks al lhe iIIusion viII see lhe inage
vilh lhe correcl perspeclive.
Iirsl, if iIIusions direclIy affecl lhe nind
of lhe viever, lhen lhey shouId le lIocked
ly lechniques vhich prolecl lhe nind.
Hovever, no nenlaI defenses are effeclive
againsl iIIusions. As exanpIes, lhe psionic
discipIine mind bar and lhe speII Sertens
spell immunity are each effeclive againsl
nany nenlaI invasions, yel neilher is
descriled as defending againsl iIIusions.
Thus, iIIusions are unIike nenlaI allacks.
lo leIieve lhal iIIusions are as visilIe lo lhe
eye as lo lhe nind.
ruIe lhal lhe iIIusion cannol le seen ly
vievers of vhon lhe iIIusionisl is un-
avare, or lhal onIy a Iiniled nunler of
vievers can le affecled. If lhe inage is
reaI, lhen lhe inage shouId le visilIe even
vhen vievers knov lhal il is an iIIusion.
In lhal case, iIIusions couId le used for
speciaI visuaI effecls, such as olscuring a
viev or providing Iighl. This encourages
crealive, nonvioIenl uses of iIIusionisl
nagic, vhich is anolher good reason lo
choose lhe reaI inage inlerprelalion
In lhe resl of lhis arlicIe, il is assuned
lhal iIIusory inages are reaI. This inlerpre-
lalion appIies onIy lo lhe phantasmal force
faniIy of speIIs. Sone iIIusion/phanlasn
speIIs, such as spook and phantasmal
killer, are olviousIy nenlaI allacks.
IureIy audilIe iIIusions, nosl of vhich
are canlrips, are harder lo inlerprel. Offi-
ciaIIy, a successfuI saving lhrov (or disle-
Iief roII, in lhe case of audible glamer)
nakes lhe largel unalIe lo hear lhe
sound. This seens Iike a nenlaI effecl. As
discussed alove, hovever, lhis is inconsis-
lenl vilh vhal is knovn aloul nenlaI
allacks and defenses. Iurlhernore, il is
unIikeIy lhal audiovisuaI iIIusions such as
improved phantasmal force vouId have
reaI visuaI inages lul nenlaI sound ef-
fecls. A nore reasonalIe inlerprelalion is
lhal audilory iIIusions produce reaI
sounds. A successfuI saving lhrov reveaIs
lhal lhe sounds cause is nagicaI, lul does
nol nake lhe sound inaudilIe.
Illusory damage: mind over matter
The grealesl source of confIicl aloul
iIIusions is lheir aliIily lo do danage. Hov
can an inage vilh no sulslance hurl
anyone` The ansver is lhal il canl - lul
lhe viclins nind can.
lo fear or slress are nol aIvays heaIlhy.
IeopIe vho narrovIy escape injury are
oflen Iefl veak and lrenlIing. Many fainl,
a fev acluaIIy die of fear. LuckiIy, lhis
nenlaI lrauna is usuaIIy shorl-Iived. The
viclin Iooks hinseIf over, sees lhal he is
unhurl, and legins lo feeI leller.
Wilh iIIusions, lhe viclin gels no such
reIief. Consider a lypicaI case: }ohn lhe
SleaIlhy sees lhe vhile-hol fIanes of a
fireball erupl aloul hin. This is upselling
in ilseIf, lul in addilion, }ohns cIolhes and
hair vaporize as he valches, and his skin
lIislers and chars lefore his eyes. Need-
Iess lo say, }ohn is going lo le prelly
shaken up ly lhe experience. IIIusions lhal
depicl vounds vilh inages of lIood and
gore shouId Ieave any leIiever veak and
shaken, corresponding lo a Ioss of hil
poinls. Sone viclins vouId le rendered
unconscious, and lhe veak-hearled fev
nighl even die.
DMs couId Ieave il al lhal, Ielling iIIu-
sions do danage lo lhe poinl of uncon-
sciousness, lul rareIy or never Ielling
lhen kiII. This has a nunler of advan-
lages for lhe canpaign. Il gives charilalIe
DMs a vay lo defeal characlers vilhoul
deslroying lhen, il aIso Iels a parly of
Lven in lhe reaI vorId, hunan reaclions
good characlers caplure enenies and
coIIecl Iool vilhoul leing vanlon kiIIers.
The officiaI viev seens lo le lhal iIIu-
sions cannol kiII, as shovn ly case 14.1O
of lhe BATTLLSYSTLM suppIenenl (page
26): IIIusions lhal do 'kiIIing danage
acluaIIy onIy pul lheir viclins inlo a cala-
Ieplic slale. UnforlunaleIy, lhe duralion
and effecls of calaIepsy are nol defined. A
reasonalIe choice is lo use lhe definilion
of unconsciousness on page 82 of lhe
DMC, (i.e., lhe crealure renains in a cona
for 1d6 lurns and lhereafler requires al
Ieasl one veek of resl).
The vounds caused ly an iIIusion need
nol le inaginary. A crealure danaged ly
an iIIusion nusl louch or le louched ly
parl of lhe inage (i.e., lhe crealure nusl
le in lhe area of nagicaI effecl). Suppose
lhal iIIusion nagic does nore lhan creale
a visilIe inage: Il gives pover lo viclins
ninds lo creale reaI injuries on lheir
lodies. IIIusions Iike lhis can injure as veII
as frighlen. This is a reasonalIe inlerpre-
lalion, since lhe descriplion of lhe iIIusion-
isl speII mirage arcane slales: As vilh aII
poverfuI iIIusions, lhe nind of lhe le-
hoIder viII cause appropriale effecls upon
lhe vievers lody. An iIIusion vouId nol
innedialeIy kiII a viclin, since lhe nind
vouId slop crealing vounds vhen zero hil
poinls vas reached. Hovever, unconscious
viclins vilh reaI vounds couId lIeed lo
dealh unIess lhey received aid vilhin 1O
rounds (DMC, page 82).
IIIusions poverfuI enough lo infIicl reaI
vounds nighl aIso le used for heaIing. If
a characler expecls a cure light wounds
speII and sees vounds leing heaIed, his
nind nighl cause acluaI heaIing if lhe
iIIusion is nol delecled. Of course, silua-
lions vhere lhe injured characler lruIy
vouId nol suspecl iIIusory heaIing are
rare. An exanpIe vouId le a ladIy
vounded IC neeling a kindIy slranger
vho cIains lo le a cIeric, lul is reaIIy an
iIIusionisl.
Nole lhal lhe danage polenliaI of iIIu-
sions cones fron lolh lhe nind and lhe
eyes acling logelher. Thus, crealures
vhich do nol see lhe iIIusion due lo lIind-
ness, sIeep, or unconsciousness cannol le
harned. Likevise, uninleIIigenl crealures
such as dinosaurs, insecls, and sIines
cannol le danaged direclIy ly iIIusions
lecause lhey are loo slupid lo undersland
lhal lhey shouId le hurl. Indirecl harn is
sliII possilIe, of course. Ior exanpIe, a
skeIelon is loo nindIess lo le harned ly
an iIIusory fireball, lul vouId lake danage
if lhe crealure feII inlo a pil conceaIed ly
an iIIusion.
Diobelief: Jenying the imuge
The essence of an iIIusions pover is
leIief, so a good defense againsl iIIusions is
disleIief. SuccessfuI disleIief occurs vhen
lhe olserver is convinced lhal vhal he
sees is nol reaI, despile lhe evidence of his
senses.
Ior disleIief lo le possilIe, lhere nusl
le differences lelveen each iIIusion and
One prolIen vilh iIIusions is deciding
vhen characlers shouId lry lo disleIieve.
IIayer characlers shouId have a chance lo
nolice errors, lul lhe iIIusion shouId nol
le olvious. To neel lhis need, sone DMs
give Ienglhy descriplions of every oljecl
and crealure lhe parly neels. This lech-
nique laxes a pIayers palience and lur-
dens lhe DM vilh excessive preparalion
line. AIlernalives are lo never give lhe
parly a cIue, or lo risk giving everylhing
avay vilh cIues Iike }ohn lhinks lhe
loads hop funny.
The prolIen of NIC disleIief is even
nore difficuIl. To aIvays lry lo disleIieve
is unfair lo lhe IC iIIusionisl. To never
disleIieve is unfair lo lhe NIC. To pIay il
ly ear is slicky lusiness: Try as you nighl
lo le oljeclive, ils hard lo forgel lhal
vhal lhe NIC sees isnl reaI, and ils even
lougher lo convince your pIayers lhal
youre leing reasonalIe.
The disleIief syslen presenled here
appIies lo lolh ICs and NICs, il is lased
on lhe idea of sulconsciousIy delecling
and inlerpreling errors. Delecling an
error neans lhal lhe characlers nind
nolices sonelhing unusuaI aloul lhe in-
age - perhaps lhe vay a nonsler noves.
Inlerpreling an error neans finding sone
vay lo expIain il, is lhe crealure an iIIu-
sion, or is il jusl Iinping` Delecling errors
and inlerpreling lhen are differenl
evenls. More inleIIigenl and skiIIed iIIu-
sionisls nake fever errors, and nore
inleIIigenl vievers are leller al spolling
errors. Inlerpreling an error as an iIIusion
(i.e., disleIieving) is a funclion of experi-
ence and viIIpover.
To see hov good lhe inage is, lhe DM
sullracls a secrelIy roIIed 1d2O fron lhe
sun of lhe iIIusionisls inleIIigence and
Subconociouo Jiobelief
IIIusIons In the game
lhe reaIily il sinuIales. The scaIes on a
dragon nay le lhe vrong shape, or a
soIdiers feel nighl nol louch lhe ground.
SpeII-caslers of higher IeveI and grealer
inleIIigence can nininize lhese differ-
ences, lul an inleIIigenl olserver nighl
sliII nolice lhen. Nolicing sone pecuIiar
fealure, lhe olserver nighl allenpl lo
disleIieve. This need nol le a conscious
acl - lhe viever nighl suddenIy reaIize
lhal lhe lrogIodyle he is fighling doesnl
sneII lad enough lo le genuine.
DisleIief is aulonalic if a viever louches
lhe iIIusion and il doesnl respond reaIisli-
caIIy (e.g., soneone svings a svord
lhrough a golIin vilhoul even gelling ils
allenlion). According lo lhe descriplion of
phantasmal force in lhe Players Hand-
book, lhe iIIusion Iasls unliI slruck ly an
opponenl - unIess lhe speII-casler causes
lhe iIIusion lo reacl approprialeIy. If lhe
iIIusionisl is conlroIIing lhe inage and
causes il lo reacl - lIood spurls, rock
chips fIy, a characler appears lo vaIk
across a lridge, elc. - lhen disleIief is nol
aulonalic.
IeveI. The resuIl is caIIed lhe inage quaIily.
Any viever vhose inleIIigence is grealer
lhan lhe inage quaIily delecls an error,
and lhal vievers sulconscious innedi-
aleIy lries lo disleIieve (i.e., inlerprel) lhe
inage. The disleIief roII is a slandard
saving lhrov vs. speIIs, vilh nagicaI-
allack adjuslnenls for visdon. Like lhe
error-deleclion roII, il is secrelIy roIIed ly
lhe DM.
If lhe iIIusion-casler is nol a nenler of
lhe iIIusionisl cIass, lhe characlers IeveI
for purposes of lhe inage-quaIily roII is
Iess lhan his acluaI IeveI. The effeclive
IeveI for nagic-users is lvo Iover lhan lhe
acluaI IeveI, jusl as for lhe fourlh-IeveI
nagic-user speII dispel illusion. A high-
IeveI lhief has a 25 chance of faiIure
vilh a scroII, so a lhiefs effeclive IeveI is
five Iover lhan his lhief IeveI. Crealures
lhal use nagicaI ilens lo creale and con-
lroI iIIusions are effecliveIy zero IeveI,
unIess lhey can aIso casl iIIusion speIIs -
in vhich case, a nonslers hil dice equale
lo iIIusionisl IeveI direclIy. A deck of illu-
sions conlroIs ilseIf, il is effecliveIy 12lh
IeveI vilh an inleIIigence of 15.
Lach sufficienlIy inleIIigenl viever has
an aulonalic chance lo disleIieve vhen he
firsl olserves an iIIusion. Ior exanpIe, a
7lh-IeveI iIIusionisl vilh 15 inleIIigence
casls a spectral force vhich is seen ly a
fighler, a nagic-user, and a lhief. A 2O-
sided die is roIIed and cones up 9. Sul-
lracling lhis fron lhe iIIusionisls IeveI and
inleIIigence lolaI yieIds an inage quaIily of
|(7 + 15) - 9 = j 13. The fighlers inleIIigence
of 9 is loo Iov, lul lhe nagic-users is 17
and lhe lhiefs is 14. Thus lhe nagic-user
and lhe lhief, lul nol lhe fighler, have
delecled errors and gel an aulonalic
allenpl lo disleIieve lhe iIIusion.
NornaIIy, lhere is onIy one sulconscious
allenpl lo disleIieve for each sufficienlIy
inleIIigenl viever. More allenpls lo disle-
Iieve occur if lhe iIIusion and lhe viever
cone inlo conlacl (e.g., an iIIusory fireball
lursls anong lhe parly, or a characler
louches an iIIusory vaII). If onIy one in-
porlanl sense conponenl (usuaIIy louch) is
nissing, lhen a disleIief roII is nade for
vievers vhose inleIIigence is higher lhan
lhe inage quaIily. If nore lhan one inpor-
lanl sense conponenl is nissing, lhe
viever gels a disleIief roII regardIess of
inleIIigence. If disleIief faiIs, lhe viever
does nol recognize lhe iIIusion. SuccessfuI
disleIief neans lhal lhe viever recognizes
lhe iIIusion, and any iIIusory allack in
progress causes no danage lo lhe viever.
Danage renains fron any previous al-
lacks vhich vere nol disleIieved.
Which sense conponenls are inporlanl
depends on lhe inage, lhe viever, and
olher condilions. Ior exanpIe, vhen
louching a vaII crealed ly phantasmal
force, louch is lhe onIy inporlanl nissing
sense. The sane iIIusory vaII vouId le
nissing lvo inporlanl senses if lhe viever
knocked on il lo produce a sound. A fire-
ball invoIves nainIy visuaI, lacliIe, audi-
lory, and lhernaI senses, onIy one of
DRAGON 23
vhich is nissing fron a spectral force
speII. BIovs slruck ly iIIusory nonslers
shouId incIude sound as veII as louch.
Dragons have an acule sense of sneII
(Monster Manual, page 29), so sneII is
inporlanl for any iIIusion vhich affecls a
dragon.
To conlinue lhe scenario alove, Iel us
assune lhal lhe nagic-user and lhe lhief
faiIed lo disleIieve lhe iIIusion al firsl
sighl, so aII characlers leIieve lhe inage.
The iIIusion depicls a lIue dragon vhich
lrealhes on lhe lhree. The Iighlning
lrealh nornaIIy incIudes visuaI, lacliIe,
audilory, and lhernaI aspecls. OnIy one of
lhese, lhe lacliIe sense, is nissing fron
spectral force, so onIy lhe nagic-user and
lhe lhief gel a sulconscious allenpl lo
disleIieve. The nagic-user succeeds, so
she lakes no danage and knovs lhal lhe
dragon is an iIIusion. If she can connuni-
cale lhis lo lhe olhers, lhey receive a +4
on any subsequent allenpl lo disleIieve.
The fighler and lhe lhief allack lhe dragon
vilh svords. The lhief hils, so he gels
anolher aulonalic chance lo disleIieve. If
he succeeds, he is sliII vounded fron lhe
dragons firsl allack.
Beings vilh superhunan inleIIigence
aulonalicaIIy delecl sone iIIusions. Ac-
cording lo Legends & Lore, page 7, leings
vilh 19 or higher inleIIigence aulonali-
caIIy delecl firsl-IeveI iIIusions, lhose vilh
2O inleIIigence delecl second-IeveI iIIu-
sions, elc. The IeveI of lhe iIIusion depends
on ils IeveI as an iIIusionisl speII. This
neans lhal phantasmal force casl ly a
nagic-user is a firsl-IeveI iIIusion, nol
lhird. Canlrips are zero-IeveI speIIs, so
iIIusion canlrips are aulonalicaIIy delecled
ly crealures vilh 18/51 or higher inleIIi-
gence (as nighl le ollained ly using wish
speIIs, as per lhe DMG, page 11).
Conociouo Jiobelief
The disleIief allenpls descriled alove
occur aulonalicaIIy, secrelIy, and inslanlIy
(in gane line). IIayer characlers, of
course, nay allenpl lo disleIieve al any
line. To prevenl a chorus of I disleIieve!
on every encounler, expIain lhal a charac-
ler can do nolhing eIse during lhe round
Conscious disleIief requires onIy a save
vs. speIIs. A characler (or pIayer) vho
decides lo disleIieve has aIready noliced
sonelhing pecuIiar or has leen loId lhal
lhe inage is an iIIusion, so inage quaIily is
irreIevanl lo lhe decision. Conscious disle-
Iief is oflen necessary for lhick-villed
characlers, since lheir Iov inleIIigence is
unIikeIy lo exceed any reasonalIe inage
quaIily. A conscious allenpl al disleIief in
no vay reduces lhe characlers chance lo
sulconsciousIy disleIieve.
A speciaI forn of conscious disleIief
occurs vhen a cIever or desperale charac-
ler decides lo cIose his eyes. UnalIe lo see,
lhe characler nighl lo le unharned if a
pending allack is an iIIusion vilh onIy
visuaI conponenls. This is a reasonalIe
laclic for soneone Iike a Isl-IeveI lhief
vho lhinks (or hopes) lhal lhe huge red
dragon in fronl of hin nighl le an iIIu-
sion Afler aII, he is unIikeIy lo nake his
The characler is aIvays free lo disle-
Iieve nev deveIopnenls vhen lhey affecl
hin (e.g., a fighler vho has aIready al-
lacked an orc during a round nay none-
lheIess choose lo disleIieve if lhe orc
suddenIy uses a fiery lrealh veapon).
SpeII-casling is nol disrupled if lhe speII-
casler successfuIIy disleIieves an allack
eilher consciousIy or sulconsciousIy.
he allenpls lo disleIieve. This is lecause
lhe characler hasnl spolled anylhing
vrong vilh lhe inage, and nusl spend
line Iooking - Iooking hard - for errors,
and deciding vhelher any errors are
significanl. Ior exanpIe, vhen lIasled ly
sone nagicaI effecl, a characler nay
allenpl lo disleIieve voIunlariIy. If suc-
cessfuI, lhe characler recognizes lhe iIIu-
sion and lakes no danage. If lhe disleIief
faiIs or lhe effecl lurns oul lo le reaI, lhe
characler receives no saving throw, le-
cause vhiIe everyone eIse vas junping
oul of lhe vay, he vas slanding lhere
Iooking for errors in lhe inage. Likevise,
if lhe characler chooses lo disleIieve an
allacking nonsler, lhe characler nay nol
allack and nay nol use shieId or dexlerily
lo defend againsl lhal nonsler during lhal
round. The characler can sliII defend
againsl allacks fron olher opponenls.
disleIief roII eilher consciousIy or sulcon-
sciousIy, and saving vs. lrealh veapon
vouId onIy change lhe lexlure of ashes he
Ieaves lehind. The characler nusl cIose
his eyes lefore lhe DM announces an
allack, if he vails lo see vhal lhe allack
is, he viII le affecled ly il. A characler
vho avoids danage lhis vay has not suc-
cessfuIIy disleIieved an iIIusion. He can
sliII le harned ly lhe iIIusion if il allacks
vhen he opens his eyes. NaluraIIy, cIosing
ones eyes in conlal gives opponenls vho
are nol iIIusory Iols of nasly ideas.
MoJifiero to Jiobelief rollo
Many faclors affecl lhe difficuIly of
disleIieving an iIIusion. In generaI, any-
lhing vhich increases or decreases lhe
doull in a vievers nind affecls lhe
chance lo disleIieve. The Iisl of nodifiers
in lhe lalIe vilh lhis arlicIe cannol le
conpIele, lul il shouId give a generaI idea.
AII faclors are assuned lo provide lo-
nuses or penaIlies lo lhe disleIief roII.
Sone nighl le nore appropriale as nodi-
fiers lo lhe inage quaIily, lul lhal vouId
nereIy conpIicale nallers.
AII lul lhe Iasl lvo nodifiers Iisled here
are suggeslions - use lhen, change lhen,
or ignore lhen as you see fil. Ior exanpIe,
iIIusory crealures popping in fron lhin air
nornaIIy give vievers + 1 lo disleIieve,
lul if a monster summoning speII had
recenlIy leen used, vievers vouId disle-
Iieve al -2 lecause lhey have aIready
seen a siniIar effecl. An iIIusory crealure
unharned ly a lightning bolt vouId nor-
naIIy add +2 lo disleIief roIIs, lul nol if il
vere a nagic-resislanl crealure Iike a
nind fIayer.
Dumuge from illuoory opell effecto
When a danaging iIIusion is leIieved,
danage is delernined randonIy. The
iIIusionisl can onIy diclale lhe inage,
danage is delernined ly lhe viclins
nind. LeveI-dependenl effecls, such as lhe
nunler of danage dice for a fireball,
operale al lhe acluaI IeveI of lhe speII-
casler, regardIess of cIass. If lhe iIIusion is
crealed ly a nagicaI ilen, use lhe appro-
priale IeveI for an ilen of lhal kind (e.g.,
6lh IeveI for a vand).
To undersland lhis Iinilalion, consider
lhal lhe onIy visilIe difference lelveen a
5-HD fireball and a IO-HD fireball is lhe
inlensily of lhe fIane. Lov-IeveI iIIusion-
isls are nol skiIIfuI enough lo sinuIale lhe
inlensily of nore poverfuI speIIs. Do nol
vaver on lhis poinl, a Iov-IeveI characler
doing 2O or nore dice of danage per
round viII vreck a canpaign fasler lhan
any nagicaI ilen.
UnIike nornaI speIIs, an iIIusory nagicaI
effecl can le repealed fron round lo
round, doing addilionaI danage. Iorlu-
naleIy, lhis process is seIf-Iiniling, since an
inleIIigenl viclin usuaIIy receives a disle-
Iief roII for every allack. Olhervise, lhe
effecl onIy slops vhen lhe iIIusionisl is
allacked or decides lo slop.
A singIe iIIusion speII can creale onIy one
24 FEBRUARY 1988
kind of effecl. To svilch fron fireballs lo
lightning bolts, lhe iIIusionisl nusl casl a
nev iIIusion. Nole lhal lhere is no reason
lhal an iIIusory nagicaI effecl shouId
appear lo cone fron lhe iIIusionisl. An
iIIusory fireball couId originale anyvhere
vilhin lhe iIIusions area of effecl. The
iIIusionisl is free lo drav allenlion avay
fron hinseIf ly appearing lo do nolhing
vhiIe sone unseen agenl denoIishes lhe
opposilion.
1lluoory creutureo in combut
An inporlanl issue is lhal of hov nany
separale crealures one iIIusion can in-
cIude. Can a 6lh-IeveI iIIusionisl conjure up
an arny of 2O paIadins, each arned vilh a
long sword + 5, Holy Avenger? Il couId le
done, lul lhe iIIusion nighl nol le very
leIievalIe if any fighling lakes pIace. In
conlal, lhe iIIusionisl nusl conlroI each
iIIusory leings allenpls lo hil, sinuIale
injury on lolh lhe logus crealure and ils
opponenl, and conlroI allenpls lo dodge
opponenls lIovs. When a lIov is nol
dodged, lhe iIIusionisl nusl creale a con-
vincing inage of lIoody dealh. Lach of
lhese effecls laxes lhe iIIusionisls skiII,
concenlralion, and slanina.
An iIIusionisl can conlroI iIIusory crea-
lures vilh as nany hil dice as he has
IeveIs (e.g., a 6lh-IeveI iIIusionisl couId
creale and conlroI six 1-HD leings, one 6-
HD leing, elc. This Iinil refIecls lhe aliIily
of lhe iIIusionisl lo conlroI lhe nany de-
laiIs of conlal. Higher-IeveI iIIusionisls
have nore skiII. Hunan and deni-hunan
crealions can le used, lhe difference
lelveen iIIusory Isl-IeveI fighlers and
1Olh-IeveI fighlers is lhe skiII vilh vhich
lhe iIIusionisl handIes lhen in conlal.
Crealed crealures nusl le aII of one spe-
cies, lul nay differ in equipnenl, hil dice,
and laclics.
If lhe iIIusionisl exceeds lhe hil-dice
Iinil, lhen delaiIs are leing negIecled and
aII opponenls gel an aulonalic allenpl lo
disleIieve during every round of conlal.
(This is in addilion lo any olher disleIief
allenpls lo vhich lhe vievers nay le
enlilIed.) The iIIusionisl can conlroI lvice
as nany hil dice of iIIusory crealures if
none of lhe crealures are in conlal. (This
can le used as a lIuff.)
The iIIusionisl nusl roII lo hil for each
iIIusory leing's allack, since he can conlroI
lhe allenpl lo hil lul nol lhe viclins
allenpls lo dodge or parry. Use lhe appro-
priale allack nalrix for each crealures hil
dice or IeveI. High-IeveI iIIusory cavaIiers
and fighlers gel nuIlipIe allacks appropri-
ale lo lheir IeveI, lul veapon speciaIiza-
lion or lonuses for slrenglh, veapon of
choice, or race do nol appIy. Danage is
delernined randonIy, as appropriale for
lhe crealure or veapon. SufficienlIy inleI-
Iigenl opponenls gel a disleIief roII vhen-
ever lhe iIIusion hils or is hil.
The arnor cIass of iIIusory crealures is
lhe sane as for nornaI crealures of lhe
sane lype. IIIusory varriors nay le
equipped vilh vhalever arnor lhe iIIu-
Arnor cIass and hil poinls are ralher
fuzzy concepls for seni-invuIneralIe
crealures such as Iycanlhropes and for
regeneralive crealures such as lroIIs.
DisleIief roIIs are nade vhenever a crea-
lure shouId le hil - lhus, if a viever
slrikes a logus verevoIf lul appears lo
do no danage, he sliII receives a sulcon-
scious allenpl lo disleIieve (regardIess of
inleIIigence, if nore lhan one sensory
conponenl is nissing). Regeneralion re-
duces lhe iniliaI hil poinls avaiIalIe. Ior
exanpIe, a 9lh-IeveI iIIusionisl conjures a
lroII, 45 hil poinls are roIIed. The iIIusion-
isl gives lhe lroII 25 hil poinls iniliaIIy. If
lhe lroII is vounded, up lo 2O hil poinls
can le reslored ly regeneralion. Beyond
lhal, lhe lroII cannol regenerale.
The iIIusionisl nay choose lo conline
an iIIusory nagicaI effecl vilh iIIusory
crealures (e.g., a logus nagic-user couId
appear lo casl a speII). In such a case, lhe
IeveI of lhe nagicaI effecl nusl le sul-
lracled fron lhe hil dice avaiIalIe lo lhe
crealures.
An anonaIy of iIIusions in neIee is lhal
iIIusory crealures do nol gel parling lIovs
vhen an opponenl lurns lo fIee. The oppo-
nenl has lurned his lack, so he cannol see
lhe iIIusion and lherefore cannol le hurl
ly il. Likevise, an iIIusory lhief cannol
lackslal.
- nol jusl direcl opponenls - allenpl lo
disleIieve every round lhal lhe crealure
renains aclive.
The DM shouId decide hov lhe lolaI hil
poinls for aII crealures in an iIIusion are
delernined (e.g., a randon roII: 1d8 for
nonslers, 1d1O for fighlers, elc., or aIvays
5 hp per hil die). The iIIusionisl assigns
lhese iniliaI hil poinls lo individuaIs as he
sees fil, since lhe iIIusionisl decides hov
nuch efforl is expended in each crealures
defense. When an iIIusory crealure
reaches zero hil poinls, lhe iIIusionisls
nenlaI faligue is so greal lhal he cannol
nake lhe crealure evade lhe dealh lIov.
If lhe crealure faiIs lo faII dead, aII vievers
sionisl chooses. No nagicaI or dexlerily
lonuses are aIIoved unIess lhe lolaI iIIu-
sory hil dice are reduced ly lhe anounl of
lhe lonus.
Lffeclive use of iIIusions in conlal re-
quires lhe iIIusionisl lo concenlrale on lhe
delaiIs of lhe lallIe. The speII pro-
grammed illusion can creale an iIIusion of
crealures perforning sone aclion, lul
cannol reacl lo opponenls. Irogranned
crealures are as IikeIy lo allack lhe air as
lo slrike an opponenl. SiniIarIy, if lhe
iIIusionisl slops concenlraling on an im-
proved phantasmal force or spectral force
speII, fighling degenerales lo progranned
aclion for lhe duralion of lhe speII. Any-
one vho slrikes a progranned crealure
recognizes lhe iIIusion. Lven a pro-
granned dragon lrealh vouId le reIa-
liveIy harnIess lecause lhere vouId le no
vay lo sinuIale injury. Lach viclin re-
ceives an aulonalic allenpl lo disleIieve,
lhose vho faiI lake onIy haIf lhe nornaI
danage. (These Iinilalions do nol appIy lo
lhe speII shadow monsters and ils descen-
danls, vhich creale senireaI nonslers
lhal reacl lo opponenls.)
The effecliveness of iIIusions in conlal
is usuaIIy Iiniled ly lhe chance for viclins
lo disleIieve vhenever danage is done.
IIIusions are oflen nore effeclive if used lo
confuse or nisIead ralher lhan injure. In
such cases, disleIief lecones irreIevanl.
A singIe iIIusion speII can sinuIale one
significanl effecl. Ior exanpIe, one iIIusion
couId cover a pil vilh iIIusory grass. An-
olher couId creale an iIIusory luiIding,
Iighl an area as if ly a light speII, or creale
a wall of fog. Of course, lhe oljecl or
effecl nusl le no Iarger lhan lhe iIIusion
speIIs area of effecl.
IIIusions are usefuI for defensive con-
ceaInenl. An iIIusory vaII vilh arrov sIils
vouId offer no physicaI proleclion, lul il
vouId give 9O conceaInenl lo archers,
lhus inproving lheir arnor cIass ly four.
This vouId le lrue even if aII opponenls
knev lhal lhe vaII vas an iIIusion, since
lhe inage of lhe vaII vouId conlinue lo
conceaI lhe archers.
An iIIusion can effecliveIy lIind an oppo-
nenl. An iIIusory darkness speII vouId le
inpossilIe lo see lhrough, even if lhe
opponenl recognized il as an iIIusion speII.
oncombut illuoiono
D R A G O N 2 5
TabIe oI ModIIIers to Saves AgaInst IIIusIons
IIIusIon's condItIon SavIng-throw modIIIer
IIIusion casl ly an opponenl leIieved lo le an iIIusionisl +1
IIIusory crealure appears fron lhin air +1
IIIusory crealure or effecl is lhe sane as a reaI crealure or effecl aIready used ly opponenl - 2
IIIusory silualion is olviousIy inappropriale (e.g., orcs and eIves vorking logelher, fireball undervaler) +2
IIIusion Iacks inporlanl sensory conponenl + 1 per nissing sense
IIIusion is of a nornaI crealure, lul il is unharned ly veapons
IIIusion is of a nornaI crealure, lul il is unharned ly nagic
+ 1, + 1 per pIus of veapon
+2
IIIusion is of a slalionary oljecl (e.g., a vaII) - 1
IIIusion is seen poorIy (e.g., lhrough fog or over dislance) -1 lo -4
IIIusionisl has never seen crealure or effecl vhich he depicls in iIIusion +4
Vievers aIIy cIains lo have disleIieved iIIusion +4
Viever is a cavaIier +2
UnIike reguIar darkness, lhe iIIusion can
nove anyvhere vilhin range, conlinuing
lo cover lhe opponenl.
1lluoory mugicul itemo
IIIusions can incIude nagicaI ilens
vhich produce visilIe effecls (such as
vands). The pover of lhese devices is
Iiniled ly lhe iIIusionisls IeveI, jusl as for
an iIIusory speII. A 1sl-IeveI iIIusionisl can
creale an iIIusory wand of fireballs, lul il
can onIy do 1d6 hp danage. The IeveI of
lhe nagicaI ilen is sullracled fron lhe
lolaI hil dice lhal lhe iIIusionisl can conlroI
in neIee (e.g., a 6lh-IeveI iIIusionisl couId
lIasl opponenls vilh logus 5-HD Iighlning
loIls fron an iIIusory vand vieIded ly a
logus 1sl-IeveI speII-casler).
IIIusory nagicaI ilens can enhance an
iIIusions crediliIily. Ior exanpIe, casling
six fireballs in a rov is prelly unIikeIy
unIess lhe speII-casler is using a vand.
IIIusory nagicaI veapons are aIso possi-
lIe. If a fighler hils an eIenenlaI and
causes a visilIe vound, lhe eIenenlaI is
IikeIy lo concIude lhal lhe fighlers
veapon is nagicaI - even if lolh lhe
fighler and lhe vound are iIIusions, and
lhe iIIusionisl doesnl knov lhal nagicaI
veapons are needed lo hil eIenenlaIs. The
exacl veapon lonus vouId le difficuIl lo
guess fron lhe inage, so lhe DM shouId
roII 1d4 lo see vhal lonus lhe viclin
lhe hidden oljecls idenlily, lul viII Iel lhe
viever knov lhal he sees an iIIusion.
True invisibility is a good defense againsl
iIIusory allack. The iIIusionisl cannol cre-
ale visilIe vounds on an invisilIe viclin.
Indeed, lhe iIIusionisl doesnl even knov
vhen lhe crealure has leen hil, so iIIusory
allackers do nol reacl correclIy. If lhe
invisilIe crealure is hil ly an iIIusion, lreal
il as a progranned allack: The invisilIe
crealure aulonalicaIIy allenpls lo disle-
Iieve, and lakes onIy haIf nornaI danage if
disleIief faiIs.
An iIIusionisl cIoaked in a nornaI invisi-
bility speII is reveaIed vhen allacking,
even if lhe allack is carried oul ly an
iIIusory crealure. MereIy casling an iIIu-
sion does nol conslilule an allack. OnIy
vhen lhe iIIusion is used lo acliveIy dan-
age ils vievers viII lhe iIIusionisls invisi-
bility le dispeIIed.
Summuvy
The syslen presenled here soIves sone
prolIens and heIps lring iIIusions inlo
laIance vilh olher forns of nagic. Disle-
Iief is handIed consislenlIy. Danage and
conpIexily of iIIusions are proporlionaI lo
lhe iIIusionisls skiII. Lov-IeveI iIIusionisls
can lefuddIe slupid opponenls or danage
veak ones, high-IeveI iIIusionisls can fooI
nearIy anyone. Menlers of lhe iIIusionisl
cIass can use leller iIIusion speIIs lo dan-
age poverfuI opponenls.
No syslen covers every possiliIily lhal
can arise vhen crealive pIayers use a speII
Iike phantasmal force lhal can creale lhe
iIIusion of any oljecl, or crealure, or
force. . . . Decide vhal lhe principIes of
iIIusory nagic are in your canpaign, lhen
nake sure your pIayers are avare of lhen
lefore iIIusions are used. When a silualion
cones up vhich lhe syslen doesnl cover,
keep lhe gane friendIy ly nol using ques-
lionalIe lechniques unliI you reach sone
agreenenl on hov such lechniques viII
vork. Lnjoynenl of lhe gane is a coopera-
live venlure, vilh a IillIe underslanding
fron lhe pIayers and lhe DM, iIIusions can
add a Iol of spice lo an inleresling vorId.
[For another view on saving-throw modi-
fiers for illusions, see Illusory Solutions,
by Matt Battison, in this issue of DRAGON
Magazine.]
Sone pIayers nay vanl lo use phantas-
mal force as an invisibility speII. Bolh
speIIs leIong lo lhe cIass of iIIusion/
phanlasn nagic, lul lhey are quile dissin-
iIar. Phantasmal force is a generaI-purpose
speII lhal is nainlained ly concenlralion
and can le used lo allack, invisibility is
highIy speciaIized, requires no concenlra-
lion, and is dispeIIed ly aggressive acls.
Despile lhese differences, lhe DM nay
decide lo aIIov iIIusory invisiliIily. If so,
lhe resuIl viII differ fron lhe invisibility
speII. IIIusory invisiliIily Iasls onIy as Iong
as lhe iIIusionisl concenlrales (or for a fev
exlra rounds if improved phantasmal
force or spectral force is used). The area
of effecl and range are lhe sane as for
phantasmal force.
Inaninale as veII as aninale oljecls
couId le nade invisilIe. Many oljecls
couId le nade invisilIe as Iong as aII re-
nain vilhin lhe area of effecl. UnIess ils
eyes renain visilIe, an invisilIe crealure is
effecliveIy lIind lecause Iighl does nol
reach ils eyes. DisleIief does nol reveaI
1n tioibility
lhinks lhe veapon has. Add lhis nunler
lo lhe iIIusionisls danage roII. Nole lhal
lhe nunler nusl le sufficienl lo hil lhe
crealure (e.g., al Ieasl +2 for an eIenen-
laI). The veapon has no acluaI lonus, so
lhe iIIusionisls unnodified lo hil roII
nusl le sufficienl lo hil lhe viclin.
26 FEBRUARY 1988
Mogicol Jieguieee for uor, uicorJe
MagIc
The Faces oI
this, she whispered and they were
gone.
A short time later, fully recovered from
the dinension doors effects, the two sat
down to a cold meal by a milestone out-
side of town. The young woman picked at
her dried food while the older man
watched.
Never saw anyone killed before, she
said. A minute later, she set her food aside.
Who were those women, Farfell?
by John N. Kean
The dining room of the inn was in utter
chaos. Patrons scrambled for cover under
tables and in corners. Chairs flew, drinks
spilled, and tables toppled with resounding
crashes. The few who were lucky enough
to have magical protections invoked them.
The tumult centered around a middle-
aged man in a leaf-green robe, now
slumped over a table. A dark crimson stain
spread around the rune-inscribed hilt of
the dagger protruding from the mans
back. His staring eyes held no sign of life.
His assailants two small, wiry women
lay on the floor in pools of blood, only a
few feet away. A burly companion of the
wizard stood over them with sword in
hand, panting and eyeing the crowd for
other foes. A female companion of the
wizard uttered words of power while
holding a silver cross over her fallen liege;
the words uselessness, however, was plain
on her face.
In a dark corner, huddled under a table,
sat a young woman and a middle-aged
man, both clad in brown peasants rags
and dusty from the road they had only
recently left. Farfell, shouldnt we help
somehow? whispered the woman
nervously
Not much we can do, muttered the
man. He brushed his short black beard
with a thoughtful hand. The Green Wiz-
ard is beyond our assistance. His compan-
ions seem to have things under control
as much as can be. Just sit still; your life
depends on it.
The woman bit her lower lip and was
silent. The noise of the crowd died down
as the patrons who hadnt fled realized
that the excitement was over The inns
bouncers were quickly regaining order.
The man sighed after a few moments
and closed his eyes to concentrate. Time
to depart, my apprentice, for a safer part
of the land, he said. Take my arm, and
well be off.
The young woman caught his arm
tightly in hers. I get dizzy when you do
and draw a crowd. He succumbed to the
intoxication of power. In our world, few
actions go unanswered. Remember: circles
within circles. One of the persons or crea-
tures that the Green Wizard angered must
have hired the Daughters of Hel to destroy
him, for that dagger was one of their
weapons. It destroys both life and soul,
forever and ever A horrid fate. Possibly
the thieves guild of Theylena has finally
gained revenge after the Wizards widely
proclaimed theft two years past of the
magical treasures from the guilds for-
merly most-secret headquarters. The man
The Green Wizard was quite compe-
tent, but very flashy He liked to show off
anonymity.
Farfell grunted. It is very true. You have
often questioned why I am so careful to
maintain our anonymity why I keep such
a low profile. You chide me for being
paranoid. Today you saw why. This is a
good time for a lesson about modesty and
He has certainly gotten his hearts desire.
Lo-Ree looked awav angrily. Thats very
callous.
The man swallowed his food and picked
at his teeth. Assassins, Lo-Ree. Daughters
of Hel, the Mistress of Death. It was wise
we left; they always operate in threes, and
I only saw the two. The Green Wizard
dearly liked to be the center of attention.
28 FEBRUARY 1988
TabIe 1
MagIc-User SpeIIs That AIter Appearance
SpeII LeveI AppIIcatIon
Change Canlrip Iossessions
CoIor Canlrip Changes coIor of eyes, hair, leard, nuslache, skin,
cIolhes, elc. (one speII per appIicalion)
Dirty/clean Canlrip CIolhes and person
Hairy Canlrip Add or renove hair fron head, leard, nuslache,
eyelrovs, chesl, arns, eyelrovs, elc. (one speII per
appIicalion)
Hide Canlrip Iossessions
Mute Canlrip Iossessions
Ravel/stitch Canlrip CIolhes
Tangle/untie Canlrip Hair and leard
Comprehend Iirsl AIIovs conprehension of unknovn spoken or
languages vrillen Ianguages nalive lo assuned idenlily
Enlarge/reduce Iirsl IersonaI
Strength Iirsl IersonaI
Wizard mark Iirsl Creales or covers lirlhnarks and lalloos
Infravision Third Ior use vhen assuning lhe idenlily of crealures
vilh infravision
Phantasmal Third Many inaginalive uses
force
Tongues Third AIIovs speaking and conprehension of assuned
raciaI or aIignnenl Ianguages
Polymorph self Iourlh AIIovs changes in size, veighl, sex, race, and species
Ultra vision Iourlh See infravision
Magic jar Iiflh Used lo lake over lhe lody of anolher (a greal dis-
guise!)
Reincarnate Sixlh AIIovs assunplion of anolher lodiIy forn (lul lhe
nagic-user nusl die firsl, so lhis shouIdnl le used
IighlIy)
Shape change Ninlh The uIlinale disguise, giving forn and fuII aliIilies
of jusl aloul any crealure or lhing shorl of unique
divine crealures
brushed back his long, dark hair. The
taller you stand, the better target you
make. Had he been less the publicity-
seeker he was, the Green Wizard might
still be whole. Its hard for a foe to exact
revenge when he doesnt know whom he
should strike down.
So we who work magic and shape the
world must maintain our anonymity. We
must avoid grandiose actions and brag-
ging, but that is but a small part of it. Big
talk is for the stand-tall folk like cavaliers
and other sword-swingers, and those
whose egos are out of control. Wizards
must use more quiet and subtle tactics.
Disguise thats the key. Obscure your
identity and you protect yourself from all
enemies. Shadow is a friend to the bright-
est light.
Magical disguises have advantages over
physical disguises. They cannot be physi-
cally detected. They dont rub away or fall
off However, they do stick out under
magical detection spells but all good
things have their prices.
Farfell settled himself against a rock,
assuming a comfortable position. Lo-Ree
did the same, head now turned toward
her teacher Let us have a lesson on magi-
cal disguise, said Farfell. First, I will
discuss the spells that enable us to pose as
other professions not merely as the
peasants we now appear to be. Then we
shall talk of personal magics to render us
alien to our closest friends and kin and
even to ourselves. . . .
or species ly use of polymorph self,
assuning lhe appearance of anolher race
The nagic-user has al his connand
severaI speIIs vhich aIIov hin lo aIler his
oulvard appearance. These speIIs incIude
a nunler of enchanlnenls vhich aIler
veslnenls, possessions, seIecl physicaI
fealures (hair coIor, eye coIor, heighl,
veighl, elc.), and even a characlers race,
physioIogy, and personaIily. These dis-
guises are achieved lhrough lolh iIIusion
and acluaI lransfornalion, lhus aIIoving
lhe nagic-user lo eilher appear lo le or lo
actually le sonelhing he nornaIIy is nol.
A reaIIy effeclive disguise is achieved ly
AIterIng appearance
In lhe AD&D gane, lhe nagic-user is
afforded a unique aliIily for disguise.
There are nunerous speIIs lhal aIIov lhis
- speIIs lhal change a ICs appearance or
apparenl cIass, or lhal aIIov lhe IC lo
ninic speIIs of olher speII-casling cIasses.
In any lighl silualion, lhe nagic-user has
lhis aliIily for disguise al his connand.
Ior exanpIe, in a region vhere nagic-
users are deened eviI and lhus are sulse-
quenlIy hunled dovn and execuled, a
foreign nagic-user nay sliII nove freeIy
fron cily lo cily disguised as a roving
cIeric or Iov-IeveI lhief. Ior lhe Dungeon
Masler, nunerous slory Iines and chaIIeng-
ing silualions are opened up ly lhis aliIily.
Ior lhe pIayer, nany inlriguing opporluni-
lies are presenled. In aII, nagicaI disguises,
and lhe silualions in vhich lhey nay le
enpIoyed, provide a revarding experience
in roIe-pIaying lo pIayer and DM aIike.
ThIeI-cIass
IunctIon MagIc-user speII (IeveI)
Iick pockels Present (canlrip). Oljecl nusl le knovn or visilIe, LSI nay
aIIov Iocalion and idenlificalion of unseen oljecls.
Open Iocks Besl lo use: unlock (canlrip), mute (canlrip), used lo aIler hinges,
Iock nechanisn, deadloIl, elc., or, knock (2 MU). Nole lhal
dimension door (4 MU), passwall (5 MU), teleport (5 MU), or
polymorph self (4 MU) (as an ooze or siniIar crealure) can le
used lo lypass Iocked doors, lul nusl le used oul of eyesighl.
AIso, present (canlrip) can le used lo relrieve knovn oljecls
fron Iocked conlainers.
Iind/renove Locate object (2 MU) is usefuI for Iocaling lrap conponenls such
lraps as lrip vires.
Move siIenlIy Levitate (2 MU) and fIy (3 MU) aIIov novenenl vilhoul louch-
ing lhe ground, good if used vilh cIinling nolions.
Hide in shadovs Jnvisibility (2 MU).
Hear noises ESP (2 MU) can le used lo search for crealures vilh average
and alove inleIIigence, aIIoving eavesdropping.
CIinl vaIIs Levitate (2 MU), fly (3 MU), dimension door (4 MU), and teleport
(5 MU) can le used lo reach pIaces vilhoul cIinling. Feather
fall (1 MU) can le used lo descend or eIininale faIIing danage.
Read Ianguages Comprehend languages (1 MU) and read magic (1 MU) are
usefuI.
TabIe 2
SpeIIs Ior MImIckIng ThIevIng AbIIItIes
tongues, comprehend languages, infravis-
ion, and ultravision speIIs. Strength,
enlarge/reduce, shape change, and magic
jar are aIso usefuI. SpeIIs vhich effecl
lhese various disguises are in TalIe 1.
MImIckIng cIasses
UndoulledIy, lhere viII occur in each
nagic-users career a poinl al vhich he
vouId ralher nol have his nagicaI aliIily
knovn lo lhe generaI pulIic. In lhese
inslances, sudden and conpIele lransfor-
nalions of visage and race nay le inap-
propriale - leing a lIonde-haired,
lIue-eyed hunan one ninule and a grisIy
haired, red-eyed haIf-orc lhe nexl nighl
allracl a lil of suspicion. As a resuIl, a
nore sullIe disguise nighl le nore advan-
lageous. By ninicking aliIilies open onIy
lo olher IC cIasses, lhe nagic-user nay
disguise his lrue nalure ly pulling forlh
lhe appearance of a fighler or lhief,
lherely exhililing lhe aliIilies of lhose
cIasses vilhoul arousing any suspicion.
A fighler-cIass appearance can le as-
suned vilh lhe heIp of armor, enlarge,
shield, strength, protection from normal
missiles, stoneskin, Tensors transforma-
tion, and shape change speIIs, for exanpIe.
A lhief-cIass appearance can aIso le as-
suned, as nosl lhief-cIass funclions can le
acconpIished vilh or ninicked ly lhe use
of speIIs. The necessily of casling speIIs lo
inpersonale lhief funclions can le lricky
if lheres an audience vho shouIdnl knov
of lhe inpersonalion. The vocalize speII
viII le of sone assislance. SpeIIs vhich
aIIov lhe nagic-user lo ninic lhieving
aliIilies are Iisled in TalIe 2.
MImIckIng speIIs
SpeII-casling professions olher lhan lhal
of lhe nagic-user can aIso le assuned.
Many nagic-user speIIs are lhe sane as or
siniIar lo speIIs of olher professions. AIso,
il isnl necessary lo acluaIIy casl nagic-
user speIIs lhal are lhe sane as or siniIar
lo lhe speIIs of lhe nev idenlily assuned.
Il is possilIe lo prelend lo casl speIIs of
lhe assuned appearance lhal have saving
lhrovs, such as command (firsl-IeveI cIeri-
caI) or hold animal (lhird-IeveI druidic),
and vhen nolhing happens, jusl say lhal
lhe largel nusl have avoided lhe speII (i.e.,
saved). The speII-casler can aIso prelend lo
casl speIIs lhal have no olservalIe effecl,
such as bless (firsl-IeveI cIericaI) or augury
(second-IeveI cIericaI), olhers vonl knov
lhese speIIs are ineffeclive. The use of
faked speIIs can nake lhe assuned ap-
pearance nore leIievalIe, lhough lhe
assislance of lhe DM is required if olher
ganers are lo le fooIed. Il is even possilIe
lo casl reguIar nagic-user speIIs lhal
arenl siniIar lo speIIs of assuned profes-
sions, vilh lhe expIanalion lhal lhey are
nevIy crealed or discovered speIIs of lhe
assuned profession.
TalIes 3-5 Iisl lhe olher speII-casling
professions and lheir speIIs lhal are lhe
sane as or siniIar lo nagic-user speIIs.
The siniIar nagic-user speIIs are Iisled in
DRAGON 29
parenlheses. SpeIIs lhal can le faked are
aIso incIuded. Olher speIIs, nol Iisled,
nighl aIso le faked. TalIe 6 Iisls aII-
purpose speIIs lhal can le used lo inilale
nosl olher speIIs. OnIy speIIs fron lhe
updaled Iisl in Unearthed Arcana are
considered. SpeIIs found in Oriental Ad-
ventures or DRACON Magazine arenl
incIuded, lhough nany are appropriale.
MaleriaI, verlaI, and sonalic conpo-
nenls oflen differ lelveen nagic-user
speIIs and equivaIenl speIIs of olher pro-
fessions - especiaIIy hoIy synloIs for
cIericaI speIIs and nislIeloe for druidic
speIIs. Range, casling line, area of effecl,
duralion, and so forlh nay aIso differ.
Magic-users vonl aulonalicaIIy knov lhe
correcl conponenls and characlerislics of
FIrst IeveI ThIrd IeveI FIIth IeveI
Bless/curse* Animal dead (5 MU) Animate dead monsters (animate dead,
Ceremony* Cause blindness* 5 MU)
Darkness (2 MU) Cause disease* Commune (contact other plane, 5 MU)
Delecl eviI (2 MU) CJoudburst (3 MU) Dispel evil (banish, 7 MU)
Detect magic (1 MU) Continual light (2 MU) Quest (geas, 6 MU)
Invisibility to undead* Dispel magic (3 MU)
Light (1 MU)
Feign death (3 MU) SIxth IeveI
Magic stone (casl magic mouth (2 MU) on Glyph of warding (symbol, 8 MU) Aerial servant (invisible stalker 6 MU)
il so il lecones nagicaI) Locate object (2 MU) Forbiddance (antipathy, 8 MU)
Penetrate disguise* Prayer* Part water (6 MU)
Portent* Remove/bestow curse (4 MU) Speak with monsters*
Precipitation (1 MU)
Word of recall (teleport, 5 MU)
Protection from evil (1 MU) Fourth IeveI
Sanctuary* Abjure (dismiss, 5 MU) Seventh IeveI
Detect lie* Astral spell (9 MU)
Second IeveI Di v i nat i on* Control weather (6 MU)
Augury* Lower water (6 MU) Cale (9 MU, or ensnarement, 6 MU)
Chant* Protection from evil 10 radius (3 MU) Succor (9 MU)
Detect charm* Speak with plants (charm plants, 7 MU) Symbol (8 MU)
Hold person (3 MU) Sticks to snakes (polymorph any object,
Holy symbol* 8 MU)
Messenger * Tongues (3 MU)
Speak with animals*
Withdraw*
Know alignment (2 MU) * Denoles speIIs lhal can le easiIy faked ly nereIy inilaling lhe speII-casling.
The IeveI of lhe nagic-user speII vhich dupIicales a given cIericaI speII is given in parenlheses.
TabIe 3
CIerIcaI SpeIIs WhIch Can Be MImIcked
TabIe 4
DruIdIcaI SpeIIs WhIch Can Be MImIcked
FIrst IeveI
Animal friendship*
Ceremony*
Detect balance*
Detect magic (1 MU)
Locate animal (locate oljecl reIaled lo
aninaIs, such as a slalIe, 2 MU)
Precipitation (1 MU)
Speak with animals*
Second IeveI
Charm person or mammal (charm person,
1 MU, or charm monster 4 MU)
Feign death (3 MU)
Fire trap (4 MU)
Locate plant (locate object reIaled lo
pIanls, such as garden narkers, 2 MU)
ThIrd IeveI
Cause disease*
Cloudburst (3 MU)
Hold animal (hold monster, 5 MU)
Know alignment (2 MU)
Plant growth (4 MU)
Pyrotechnics (2 MU)
Stone shape (5 MU)
Water breathing (3 MU)
* Denoles speIIs lhal can le easiIy faked ly nereIy inilaling lhe speII-casling.
The IeveI of lhe nagic-user speII vhich dupIicales a given druidic speII is given in parenlheses.
Transmute rock to mud (5 MU)
Wall of fire (4 MU)
Sticks to snakes (polymorph any object,
8 MU)
Animal growth (5 MU..
Animal summoning II (mount, 1 MU)
Pass plants (dimension door, 4 MU, or
teleport, 5 MU)
FIIth IeveI
Speak with plants (charm plants, 7 MU)
4 MU)
Animal summoning I (mount, 1 MU)
Call woodland beings*
Dispel magic (3 MU)
Hallucinatory forest (hallucinatory terrain,
Fourth IeveI
Control weather (6 MU)
Finger of death (death spell, 6 MU, or
power word, kill, 9 MU)
Fire storm (wall of fire, 4 MU)
Reincarnate (6 MU)
Transmute metal to wood (polymorph any
object, 8 MU)
Seventh IeveI
Confusion (4 MU)
Conjure earth elemental (conjure elemen-
tal, 5 MU)
Transmute water to dust (6 MU)
Transport via plants (dimension door, 4
MU, or teleport, 5 MU)
Water summoning (control weather 6 MU)
Feeblemind (5 MU)
Animal summoning III (mount, 1 MU)
Conjure fire elemental (conjure elemental,
5 MU)
SIxth IeveI
30 FEBRUARY 1988
speIIs of olher speII-casling cIasses vilhoul
research. This couId le difficuIl, especiaIIy
for high-IeveI speIIs.
If lhey are nearly and paying allenlion,
hovever, speII-caslers fron olher cIasses
nay recognize lhe deceplion vhen speIIs
of lheir profession are casl ly nagic-
users. If lhe nagic-user hasnl sludied lhe
olher speII-casling cIasss speII, lhis recog-
nilion viII le aulonalic. If lhe nagic-user
druids, or on inleIIigence for iIIusionisls, is
suggesled. Hovever, il is unIikeIy lhal a
Iov-IeveI speII-casler viII le sufficienlIy
faniIiar vilh high-IeveI speIIs of his profes-
sion lo recognize lhe deceplion, nor is il
IikeIy lhal a speII-casler viII recognize lhe
deceplion for speIIs nol yel encounlered,
or encounlered speIIs nol IearnalIe due lo
save on 1d2O vs. visdon for cIerics and
has researched lhe olher cIasss speII, a
* Denoles speIIs lhal can le easiIy faked ly nereIy inilaling lhe speII-casling.
The IeveI of lhe nagic-user speII vhich dupIicales a given iIIusionisl speII is given in
parenlheses.
ThIrd IeveI
Continual light (2 MU)
Dispel illusion (4 MU)
Fear (4 MU)
Hallucinatory terrain (4 MU)
Invisibility 10' radius (3 MU)
Paralyzation*
Rope trick (2 MU)
Suggestion (3 MU)
Iour firsl-IeveI nagic-user speIIs can le
seIecled in pIace of one sevenlh-IeveI
iIIusionisl speII.
Seventh IeveI
Astral spell (9 MU)
Vision (contact other plane, 5 MU)
Death fog (cloudkill, 5 MU)
Demi-shadow magic (magic missile, 1 MU,
fireball, 3 MU, lightning bolt, 3 MU,
cone of cold, 5 MU, or cloudkill, 5 MU).
Shades (monster summoning, 3-9 MU)
Alter reality (limited wish, 7 MU, or wish,
9 MU)
monster 4 MU)
Invisibility (2 MU)
Magic mouth (2 MU)
Mirror image (2 MU)
M i s d i r e c t i o n *
Ultravision (4 MU)
Ventriloquism (1 MU)
Whispering wind (message, 1 MU, sending,
5 MU, or, demand, 8 MU)
SIxth IeveI
Summon shadow (monster summoning IV
6 M U )
Project image (6 MU)
Shadow door (phase door 7 MU)
Shadow magic (magic missile, 1 MU, fire-
ball, 3 MU, lightning bolt, 3 MU, or, cone
of cold, 5 MU)
Magic mirror (4 MU)
Major creation (material, 3 MU, or fabri-
cate, 5 MU)
Maze (7 MU)
Chaos (confusion, 4 MU)
Demi-shadow monster (monster summon-
ing, 3-9 MU)
FIIth IeveI
Shadow monster (monster summoning,
3-9 MU)
Massmorph (4 MU)
Minor creation (material, 3 MU, or fabri-
cate, 5 MU)
Fourth IeveI
Confusion (4 MU)
Dispel magic {3 MU)
Emotion*
Detect magic (1 MU)
Fascinate (charm person, 1 MU, or charm
Alter self (polymorph self 4 MU)
Blindness (power word, lIind, 8 MU)
Deafness*
Seoond !eue!
Phantasmal force (3 MU)
Spook*
FIrst IeveI
Audible glamer (2 MU)
Change self (polymorph self, 4 MU)
Dancing lights (1 MU)
Darkness/light (2 MU/1 MU)
Detect illusion {3 MU)
Detect invisibility (2 MU)
Light (1 MU)
CantrIps
AII nagic-user canlrips can le used ly
iIIusionisls.
IIIusIonIst SpeIIs WhIch Can Be MImIcked
TabIe S
TabIe 6
MagIc-User SpeIIs Ior GeneraI SpeII
MImIckry
Phantasmal force (3 MU)
Limited wish (7 MU)
Wish (9 MU)
Lach of lhese speIIs has nany appIicalions.
inleIIigence (Players Handbook, page 1O).
Besides, nagic-users can aIvays cIain lhal
lhe speII is a nev speII, or a previousIy
unknovn version of an oId speII.
So you see, Lo-Ree, we can assume
many identities. You should cultivate sev-
eral believable ones different ones for
the different places you go, or for the
different people with whom you deal.
Most identities can be used for the rest of
your life. Others should only be used once
for dangerous adventures, then discarded.
That is why I am Will, cleric of Wee Jas,
when Im in Nimro Dell; the halfling rogue
Angus MacFergus of Kilchurn Castle on
Flodden Field when Im in Nutty Woods;
Lucky, the animal procurer, in the capitol;
and the half-orc rogue Grizzle Greasyguts
when I deal with the miners of Gemstone
Rift. And thats why we pretended to be
two thieves who pretended to be rich
ivory merchants when we recovered that
spell book from the Red Hand in Stone
Cirkel, after it had been stolen from our
client and why we will never use those
identities again!
These are some of the tricks we have
for survival. Its nice to gratify ones ego by
seeking fame for ones exploits and
powers, but I prefer the security that
anonymity provides. Light attracts vermin;
darkness is the cloak that protects all.
DRAGON 33
Better LIvIng
Through
AIchemy
PoIione onJ poieone.
IIe olcIenieI APC cloee
by Tom Armstrong
The leginning aIchenisl characler nusl
neel or exceed lhe foIIoving scores: inleI-
Iigence 15, visdon 13, dexlerily 13, and
conslilulion 15. A high inleIIigence is
necessary for lhe prospeclive aIchenisl lo
le alIe lo Iearn and nenorize lhe in-
nense quanlily of facls required for suc-
cess. High dexlerily is desired so lhal lhe
aIchenisl can easiIy creale his ovn gIass-
vare and avoid, as nuch as possilIe, spiIIs
and olher nislakes vhich nay resuIl in
fauIly resuIls. Wisdon is needed for lhe
palience and perseverance required of aII
aIchenicaI vork, and an aIchenisl vilh a
Iov conslilulion vouId nol Iong renain
heaIlhy fron conslanl exposure lo as-
In AD&D gane lerns, lhe aIchenisl is
a sulcIass of lhe nagic-user, and is lhe
crealor of nagicaI and nundane polions,
povders, fIuids, poisons, anlidoles, and
inks. An aIchenisl is generaIIy found in
nosl Iarge cilies, lul can sonelines (15
chance) le found in snaIIer lovns and
viIIages, and onIy rareIy (5 chance) is he
encounlered as an advenlurer.
AIchenisls vere lhe scienlisls of Medie-
vaI lines. They sludied lhe physicaI sci-
ences lo undersland lhe reIalionships
lelveen lhen, and lelveen lhese sci-
ences and nan. The end of lhe rainlov
for an aIchenisl vas lo find or creale lhe
IhiIosophers Slone, a niracuIous ilen
vilh lhe pover lo lransnule ordinary
nelaIs inlo goId, proIong Iife, and ansver
queslions aloul lhe nysleries of Iiving
lhings. AIchenisls leIieved lhe conlina-
lion of science and nagic vouId achieve
lhese ends.
and his visdon exceeds 15, he is enlilIed
lo a lonus of + 1O lo aII earned experi-
ence. .The aIchenisl can le of any aIign-
nenl, lul is generaIIy neulraI in sone
respecl of his aIignnenl.
The aIchenisl uses Id4 for hil poinls. He
allacks and nakes saving lhrovs on lhe
sane lalIes as does a nagic-user, excepl
lhal saving lhrovs vs. poisons and acids
are al +2. He can le of lhe hunan, haIf-
eIven, or eIven (any lype) race. LeveI ad-
vancenenl is exaclIy lhe sane as for
nagic-users of lhe sane races, as per page
9 of Unearthed Arcana. No olher cIass
nay le laken in conjunclion vilh lhis
cIass ly eilher hunans or deni-hunans.
The leginning age in years of an aIchenisl
is 24 + 1d8 if hunan, 15O + IOd4 if eI-
ven, or 35 + Id6 if haIf-eIven.
Before leginning his Iife of research, an
aIchenisl nusl firsl conpIele an appren-
liceship under a nasler aIchenisl. During
lhis apprenliceship, he is laughl nany
skiIIs, incIuding: gIasslIoving, pIanl, ani-
naI, and nineraI idenlificalion, and, lhe
lasics of nelaIIurgy. He aIso Iearns hov lo
read, vrile, and undersland lhe ancienl
AIchenisls Scripl, a secrel Ianguage lhal
is never spoken (leing conposed of syn-
loIs aIone) vhich is speciaI lo lhis cIass.
IoIIoving lhis lraining, any aIchenisl can,
al viII, uliIize lhe foIIoving povers: locate
plants, locate animals, and summon ani-
mals. These povers can each le uliIized
once per round, one line per day for
every five IeveIs of experience lhe aIche-
nisl has. In order lo idenlify polions vhiIe
lraveIing, lhe aIchenisl nusl have a lesl
kil, vhich cosls 1O gp and is sufficienl lo
nake 5-1O lesls.
If lhe nonveapon proficiencies in lhe
sorled poisons, acids, and olher soIvenls Dungeoneers Survival Guide are used, lhe
used in his research. aIchenisl characler slarls vilh no profi-
If lhe aIchenisls inleIIigence exceeds 16 ciency sIols, lecause lhe characler uliIizes
Illustration by Roger Raupp
lhe skiIIs noled alove and furlher de-
scriled in TalIe 1. The aIchenisl gains an
addilionaI proficiency sIol every four
IeveIs lhereafler, leginning vilh 5lh IeveI.
An aIchenisl nay vear Iealher or pad-
ded arnor lul prefers no arnor al aII. An
aIchenisl never uses a shieId, and is Iin-
iled lo lhe foIIoving veapons: hand axe,
cIul, dagger, knife, sickIe, sIing, slaff,
vhip, and lIovlule.
A sickIe is a 2-Iong looI used lo cul grass
or grain. AIchenisls frequenlIy use one,
since il can le used lo galher lhe pIanls
lhey need and can doulIe as a veapon al
lhe sane line. The lIade is sharpIy curved
and is sharpened on lhe inside of lhe
curve. Danage for a sickIe is 2-5 hp
againsl snaII and nan-size crealures, and
I-3 hp againsl crealures Iarger lhan nan-
size. The veapon speed faclor is 3.
A lIovlule is a shorl lule, 1-2 in
Ienglh, used lo lIov povder al opponenls.
The naxinun range of a lIovlule is 2O,
vhich nay le Ienglhened if lhe vind is in
lhe firers favor. The povder is conlained
in a lissue paper or lhin gIass lule vhich
lreaks open on inpacl, lhe povder nay
aIso le pIaced in lhe lule IooseIy, vilh a
paper vad al eilher end. Iovders in gIass
or paper luIIels affecl onIy lhe largel,
Ioose povders affecl aII vilhin a 2O-Iong
cone lhal is 1 vide al lhe slarl and 15
vide al lhe lerninus. Dusls nay aIso le
enplied oul ly hand fron snaII packels,
each covering a 1O radius.
An aIchenisl can use fIaning oiI as a
veapon. Those aIigned vilh good never
use poisons, lul lhe use of poisons ly
olher aIignnenls is al lhe discrelion of lhe
DM. AII aIchenisls, regardIess of aIign-
nenl, can creale poisons and anlidoles.
Al lhe firsl IeveI, an aIchenisl is profi-
cienl vilh lul one veapon. The allenpled
use of a veapon vilh vhich he is nol
proficienl incurs a penaIly on his lo hil
roII of -5. AddilionaI veapon proficien-
cies are gained every five IeveIs afler lhe
firsl. An aIchenisl allacks onIy once per
round.
AIchenisls can uliIize any nagicaI ilen
vhich is usalIe ly aII cIasses, pIus lhose
ilens usalIe ly both nagic-users and
iIIusionisls. Cerlain nagicaI ilens have
inproved perfornance vhen possessed
and uliIized ly an aIchenisl:
Alchemy jug: The anounls of lhe vari-
ous fIuids are doulIed, lul lhe rale of
fIov is lhe sane, so lhe line necessary lo
conpIeleIy pour oul one of lhe fIuids is
doulIed.
Beaker of plentiful potions: If used ly an
aIchenisl, such a leaker aIvays gives
forlh five different polions.
Cloak of poisonousness: An aIchenisl
has a 15 chance per IeveI of recognizing
such a cIoak, and lhereafler has an equaI
chance of negaling lhe poison in lhe cIoak,
rendering lhe cIoak perfeclIy nornaI. If
lhe allenpl lo negale lhe poison faiIs, lhe
aIchenisl nusl save (al + 2) againsl lhe
poisons effecls.
Philosophers stone: DoulIe lhe nornaI
DRAGON 35
TabIe 1
AIchemIst Nonweapon ProIIcIencIes
ProIIcIency
AninaI idenlificalion
CIasslIoving
MelaIIurgy
MineraI idenlificalion
IIanl idenlificalion
AbIIIty
InleIIigence
Dexlerily
InleIIigence
InleIIigence
InleIIigence
ModIIIer
+3
+1
O
+1
+5
TabIe 2
AIchemIst ExperIence PoInts and LeveIs
ExperIence poInts
0-3,000
3,001-6,000
6,001-12,000
12,001-24,000
24,001-48,000
48,001-96,000
96,001-180,000
180,001-350,000
350,001-700,000
700,001-1,050,000
1,050,001-1,400,000
1,400,001-1,750,000
ExperIence
IeveI
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
1d4 Ior
hIt poInts LeveI tItIe
1 Novice
2 Apprenlice
3 I ni l i al e
4 Mixer
5 Brever
6 DisliIIer
7 Conpounder
8 }unior }ourneynan
9 Senior }ourneynan
1O }unior AIchenisl
1O+1 Senior AIchenisl
1O+2 Masler AIchenisl
4OO,OOO experience poinls per IeveI for each addilionaI IeveI leyond lhe 12lh.
AIchenisls gain 1 hp per IeveI afler lhe 10th.
TabIe 3
AIchemIst SkIII LeveIs
LeveI
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22+
Read
Language*
50%
53%
57%
60%
63%
67%
70%
73%
77%
80%
83%
87%
90%
92%
94%
96%
97%
98%
99%
99%
99%
99%
IdentIIy
PotIon * *
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
55%
60%
65%
70%
75%
80%
85%
90%
95%
99%
99%
99%
-
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
55%
60%
65%
70%
75%
80%
85%
90%
95%
99%
99%
IdentIIy
PoIson * *
Detect
PoIson
-
-
5
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
55%
60%
65%
70%
75%
80%
85%
90%
95%
99%
* The aliIily lo read Ianguages does nol enalIe lhe aIchenisl lo read any nagicaI
vrilings nol perlaining lo aII cIasses or lo aIchenisls aIone.
* * Tesl kil is required.
A roII of OO in any of lhese skiII areas aIvays indicales faiIure.
Alchemical oven and still from a 15th
century German woodcut.
Illustration courtesy of Dover Publications, inc.
AIchenisls seIdon luiId slronghoIds,
preferring lo Iive in cilies, vhere lhey are
reasonalIy cIose lo lheir sources of suppIy.
ShouId an aIchenisl luiId a slronghoId, he
viII nol coIIecl revenues fron lhe IocaI
inhalilanls, nor viII he oflen le seen
sociaIIy ly lhe IocaIs. Ralher, he is a rec-
When advenluring, an aIchenisl usuaIIy
lraveIs vilh a group conlaining fighlers,
lul nore prolalIy vilh lhe usuaI conlin-
genl of cIerics, nagic-users, and lhieves in
addilion. The parly viII prolalIy guard or
assisl lhe aIchenisl vilh lhe procurenenl
of lhe rare naleriaIs necessary lo con-
pound his fornuIas. ShouId an aIchenisl
le soughl lo acconpany advenlurers, he
onIy Ieaves his research and lusiness if
pronised an equaI share of any lreasure
found, pIus anpIe opporlunily lo search
for lhe various herls, nineraIs, and olher
ingredienls necessary for his conpounds.
He aIvays has lhe neans lo carry a reIa-
liveIy Iarge nunler of viaIs and olher
conlainers in vhich he can slore lhe vari-
ous ingredienls he finds in his lraveIs. He
guards any such acquisilions jeaIousIy,
lheir safely is of paranounl concern,
secondary onIy lo lhe safely of lhe aIche-
nisls Iife.
HireIings and henchnen can le found al
any line. Henchnen are fighlers, rangers,
druids, nagic-users, lhieves, or larlari-
ans. A larlarian onIy lecones lhe hench-
nan of an aIchenisl if lhe larlarian is 4lh
IeveI or higher, and if lhe aIchenisl has
perforned sone deed of lenefil lo lhe
larlarians cIan or lrile. An aIchenisl
slrongIy prefers lo vork for a nagic-user,
vhelher lo heIp creale a hononcuIous,
nix a polion for a nagic-user of 7lh IeveI
or alove, elc. The process of crealing a
hononcuIous is given in lhe Monsler
ManuaI, page 53, and in DRACON issue
#97, page 35.
anounl of nelaI can le lransnuled. If
green cryslaIs are presenl, an aIchenisl
can creale 2-5 potions of longevity fron
lhen. If vhile povder is presenl, lhe
aIchenisl can uliIize il lo creale lvo raise
dead polions ralher lhan jusl one.
36 FEBRUARY 1988
TabIe 4
TypIcaI AIchemIcaI EquIpment
Item (prIce)
AIenlic (2 gp)
Apolhecary jar (3 sp)
Beaker (2 sp)
BeIIovs (5 gp)
Brazier (1O-2O gp)
CauIdron (3O gp)
CrucilIe (5 gp)
Cruel (1 gp)
IunneI (1 gp)
CIass, chunks (1 gp/pound)
CIass luling (1 sp/fool)
CIass-vorking looIs (5O gp)
Craduale (5 gp)
Ink (1-5 sp per lollIe)
Lens* (1O gp)
Morlar and peslIe (3-18 gp)
Iarchnenl (1 sp/sheel)
Irisn* (1O gp)
QuiII (1-5 cp)
Reagenl lollIe (3 gp)
Relorl (2 gp)
To ngs ( 3 s p)
ViaI, cIay (1 sp)
ViaI, gIass (3 sp)
ViaI, nelaI (1 gp)
ScaIe (3O-1OO gp)
Tesl kil (1O gpI
* Irisns and Ienses require a very high IeveI of skiII in gIasslIoving, and so are nol connonIy found, excepl in lhe Iargesl cilies.
Irices and avaiIaliIily of lhese ilens nay vary consideralIy fron canpaign lo canpaign.
Open gIass gIole vilh a Iong, gIass neck, used for disliIIalion
Ior handIing hol gIassvare and specinens
Conlainer vilh cork, gIass, or nelaI slopper, used for lhe hoIding of naleriaIs
As alove
As alove
Weighls and laIance for accurale veighing of naleriaIs
MaleriaIs for lhe lesling of unknovn nagicaI and nundane fIuids, conlains enough for
5-1O lesls
Ior keeping records
TrianguIar, soIid-gIass ilen for lhe refraclion or spIilling of Iighl
Ior use as a vriling pen
Large gIass lollIe vilh a filled gIass lop, used for conlaining acids, poisons, and olher
causlic fIuids
DescrIptIon
An airlighl, gIass disliIIalion device
CIass conlainer vilh filled gIass cover for slorage of herls and olher naleriaIs
Open gIass conlainer for nixing fIuids
Ior fanning a furnace or forge
Ior conlainnenl of a fire
Large nelaI conlainer for healing Iiquids
Open ceranic or slone conlainer for neIling or sulIinaling naleriaIs
SnaII gIass lollIe vilh a filled gIass lop, used for hoIding fIuids
CIass cone vilh an opening in lhe snaII end, used for pouring Iiquids
Rav naleriaI for lhe naking of gIassvare
MaleriaI for naking of pipelles and olher ilens
Lquipnenl needed for lhe naking of gIassvare
Marked open conlainer for lhe accurale neasurenenl of Iiquids
Ior vriling
CIass nagnifier for concenlraling rays of Iighl (an exaninalion device)
Ceranic or slone lovI and grinder, used lo povder and nix ingredienls, various sizes
are avaiIalIe
AIchemIsts Substance-CreatIon
F a I I u r e s
T a b I e S
AI c h e mI s t ' s
I nteI I I gence
15
16
17
18
19
20+
Chance oI
I aI I ur e
15%
10%
5%
3%
2%
1%
RoII 1d1OO vhen a sulslance is
conpIeled. If lhe resuIl is equaI lo
or Iess lhan lhe percenlage shovn
afler lhe aIchenisls inleIIigence, roII
a 1O chance for a harnfuI sul-
slance (see pages 38-39) lo le cre-
aled. If lhis does nol occur, lhen roII
on TalIe 5A. A roII on TalIe 5 of O1
aIvays indicales a faiIure.
lhe galhering of naleriaIs for his research.
An aIchenisl can idenlify polions and
poisons, and can delecl poisons al a cer-
lain percenlage chance of success, depend-
Iuse, spending his line in research and in
ing on his IeveI. As shovn on TalIe 3, lhe
chance for idenlificalion of a poison is
higher lhan his chance lo delecl a poison,
In lhe firsl case, he aIready knovs he is
deaIing vilh a poison, and he has onIy lo
delernine vhal lype il is. In lhe second
case, he does nol knov lhal lhe sulslance
in queslion is a poison, and lherefore nusl
slarl fron scralch. There is never a 1OO
chance for success in any of lhese areas,
since lhere is consideralIe varialion in lhe
conpounding of any polion, and one can
never le alsoIuleIy sure of any lesl resuIls
for lhal reason.
DRAGON 37
* If a resuIl of OO is ollained, lhe DM delernines lhe effecls of lhe sulslance, keep-
ing in nind lhe reIalive pover of reIaled sulslances and of sulslances of lhe sane
IeveI. This does nol nean lhe nev sulslance nusl le of lhe sane IeveI as lhe one
allenpled. Il is enlireIy possilIe lhal lhe nev sulslance is nore (or Iess) poverfuI
lhan lhal inlended, and il nighl nol le leneficiaI.
Minor expIosion, I-4 hp danage lo aII vilhin 1O of expIosion.
LxpIosion, I-2O hp danage lo aII vilhin 2O of expIosion.
Major expIosion, 3-3O hp danage lo aII vilhin 3O of expIosion.
A nev polion is forned! *
Inlended effecl of sulslance is reversed in a harnfuI nanner,
as lhe DM decides.
Sulslance inerl, no effecl, olher lhan a very lad lasle.
Makes lhe inliler iII for 2-8 hours, -2 lo aII allacks and saving
lhrovs during lhis line.
FaIIure resuIt DIe roII
01-60
61-70
71-73
74-85
86-93
94-99
00
T a b I e S A
AIchemIst FaIIure ResuIts Chart
The aIchemIst In town
If an aIchenisl decides lo sel up a lusi-
ness in lovn, he viII need a Iol of noney
lo eslalIish a Ialoralory, Iilrary, and
hone. Iirsl, a luiIding is necessary, lhe
cosl of vhich varies according lo lhe
prevaiIing prices in lhe canpaign. The
luiIding nusl have sufficienl space lo
conlain al Ieasl lhe Iiving space, Iilrary,
Ialoralory, and saIes area.
The Iiving area nusl incIude an area for
sIeeping and one for cooking, al lhe Ieasl.
The Iilrary can sinpIy le a Iarge roon
equipped vilh sufficienl sheIving lo hoId
lhe nunerous looks, scroIIs, and research
records vhich lhe aIchenisl naluraIIy
acquires. The purchase of lhe lasic looks
and scroIIs necessary lo legin a Ialoralory
cosls lhe aIchenisl 5OO-2,OOO (5d4 X 1OO)
gp per IeveI of lhe polions lo le produced.
The Ialoralory represenls a Iarge por-
lion of lhe aIchenisls inveslnenl. Many
various ilens of gIassvare, such as aIen-
lics, leakers, fIasks, jars, viaIs, and relorls
are necessary, parlicuIarIy if lhe aIchenisl
pIans lo vork on nore lhan one polion al
a line. Hovever, he can save sone noney
ly naking nosl of lhe gIassvare hinseIf.
The saIes area need onIy le a snaII
roon vilh a door lo lhe slreel for cus-
loner access. An addilionaI 5O-2OO gp is
needed lo cover iniliaI suppIies of soIvenls,
herls, and lasic furnishings.
38 FEBRUARY 1988
Sth LeveI
ESP
Extra-healing
Philter of glibness
Hill giant control
Invulnerability
Water breathing
11th LeveI
Dust of appearance
Blue dragon control
Cloud giant control
Oil of etherealness
Fire giant control
Fire giant strength
13th LeveI 14th LeveI
Cloud giant control Dust of dryness
Dust of disappearance Oil of elemental
invulnerability
Gold dragon control Oil of impact
Magic resistance* Mist dragon control
Storm giant control Sov e r e i gn gl ue
Storm giant strength Ultimate solution
* Iolion of magic resistance: This polion inlues lhe inliler vilh a 2O-5O resisl-
ance lo all nagic. The drinker shouId keep in nind lhal lhe resislance exlends lo
leneficiaI speIIs as veII as harnfuI ones (XI vaIue 1,OOO, CI vaIue 2,OOO).
12th LeveI
Bronze dragon control
Cloud giant strength
Oil of disenchantment
Red dragon control
Oil of sharpness, + 6
Silver dragon control
9th LeveI
Black dragon control
Brass dragon control
Frost giant control
Green dragon control
Super-heroism
Dust of tracelessness
Sth LeveI
Oil of fiery burning
Keoghtoms ointment
Longevity
Oil of sharpness, +4
Stone gianl strength
Oil of timelessness
7th LeveI
Ac i d r e s i s t a nc e
Human control
Incense of meditation
Nolzurs marvelous
pigments
Stone giant control
White dragon control
10th LeveI
Copper dragon control
Frost giant control
Oil of sharpness, +5
Treasure finding
Undead control
Elixir of youth
6th LeveI
Fire breath
Flying
Elixir of health
Hill giant strength
Oil of sharpness, +3
Oil of slipperiness
3rd LeveI
Clairvoyance
Diminution
Gaseous form
Levitation
Life elixir
Plant control
1st LeveI 2nd LeveI
Animal control Clairaudience
Philter of beauty Rainbow hues
Climbing Oil of sharpness, + 1
Fire resistance Speed
Healing Sweet water
Philter of love Ventriloquism
4th LeveI
Growth
Heroism
Invisibility
Polymorph self
Oil of sharpness, +2
Vitality
PotIons and Compounds by LeveI
TabIe 6
These are reIaliveIy sinpIe conpounds,
lhe firsl nixlures Iearned ly an appren-
lice aIchenisl.
WhiIe lhe ingredienls are sinpIe, lhere
is a chance lhal lhe nixlure does nol
perforn as inlended. This is lhe chance
laken vhen nixing any aIchenicaI for-
nuIa, and is indicaled on TalIe 5.
Sone of lhe sulslances fron lhe lrea-
sure Iisls are nol given here: polion of
delusion, oil of fumbling, elixir of mad-
ness, incense of obsession, dust of sneez-
ing and choking, and lhe philter of
stammering & stuttering. These ilens are
crealed onIy vhen an unIucky or inepl
aIchenisl errs in lhe conpounding of
sone olher ilen, as a resuIl, lhere are no
knovn fornuIas for lhen. When an aIche-
nisl faiIs in lhe conpounding of sone
polion, lhere is a 1O chance, roIIed le-
research lo Iearn exaclIy vhal eIse nay le
necessary lo conpound a given polion.
The DM adjudicales lhe aIchenisls suc-
cess in research. The cosls for research is
al Ieasl 5O-3OO gp per IeveI of lhe polion
desired (polion here neans any aIcheni-
caI sulslance). TalIe 7 descriles povders.
The nagic polions connonIy avaiIalIe
in lhe AD&D gane have leen divided inlo
IeveIs, and are shovn in TalIe 6. An
inveslnenl of 1OO-5OO gp nusl le invesled
lo galher a Iilrary of research scroIIs and
looks for each IeveI of polions. This is a
one-line expendilure per IeveI. Lach po-
lion requires a cerlain anounl of line lo
conpound. The aIchenisl nusl have, al
lhe very nininun, lhe ingredienls shovn
in order lo creale any polion. Il is nore
IikeIy lhal lhe characler nusl do sone
Research and compoundIng
TabIe 7
TypIcaI IngredIents Ior AIchemIcaI Powders
Powder
Aphrodisiac
IngredIents (and other notes)
Asafelida, cayenne, euphorlia (causes largel lo lecone nore inleresled in lhe opposile sex lhan in any-
lhing eIse)
Courage Tiger IiIy, persian gun (negales lhe effecls of nagicaI feur)
Cure lIeeding Irish noss, keIp, voundvorl (slops aII lIeeding, even if a Iinl has leen severed)
Cure circuIalory diseases Ieony, sveellaIn, keIp, coriander (6O chance of curing any nornaI circuIalory disease)
Cure nausea Coriander, aIfaIfa, peony (cures any airsickness, seasickness, or nausea due lo an excess of aIcohoIic
drink)
Cure nervous disorders Lavender, asafelida, coriander, lryony (6O chance of curing any nornaI nervous disorders)
Cure paraIysis Asparagus, liller herl, aIfaIfa, lryony (5O chance of curing any paraIysis)
Cure respiralory diseases Acacia, angeIica, knolveed, coriander (6O chance of curing any nornaI respiralory disease)
Iriendship Chicory, oIive Ieaf, sveel laIn (causes largel lo lecone friendIy lo lhe povder-casler, saving lhrovs al
+ 1 appIy)
Bryony, daffodiI, anaranlh (cures 1d4 hp for any norlaI, nonnagicaI crealure)
Daisy, jasnine, loadfIex (repeIs aII nornaI or gianl insecls)
WoIveslane, suIfur, SoIonons seaI (Iycanlhropes avoid anylhing vilh lhis povder sprinkIed upon il)
}insonveed, soIonons seaI, havlhorn (sprinkIing on nagicaI largel causes lhe ilen lo gIov vilh a siI-
very sparkIe)
HeaIing (ninor)
Insecl repeIIenl
Lycanlhrope repeIIenl
Magic deleclion
Nighl vision Carrol, arrovrool, sesane, jinsonveed (granls lhe user lhe aliIily lo see in lhe dark as veII as a cal, lhis
is a Iighl-inlensifier and does nol granl infravision)
ScroII ink WideIy varialIe, depending on lhe scroII (for use in scroII vriling and copying)
SIeep Ioppy, sveel laIn, chanoniIe (largel desires onIy lo Iie dovn and sIeep, saving lhrovs appIy)
Snoke AIder, nangrove (creales dense gray snoke covering an area vilhin 1O radius of inpacl)
TranquiIizer HenIock, knolveed, vhile Iolus (largel lecones very Ielhargic and quiel, saving lhrovs appIy)
Trulh NellIe, nyrlIe, ceIanine (largel is conpeIIed lo leII lhe lrulh, saving lhrovs al + 1 appIy)
Undead repeIIenl Mandrake, jasnine, Iooseslrife (undead avoid anylhing vilh lhis povder sprinkIed on il)
The duralion of lhe effecls of aII povders, excepl for curalive lypes, is 3d6 + 2 ninules. AIso, aII references lo saving lhrovs in
reIalion lo povders are vs. poison.
fore roIIing on TalIe 5A, lhal one of lhese
nislakes is lhe resuIl.
The fornuIas for polions vary videIy.
There are nany sulslances vilh siniIar
properlies, and lhese can le conlined in
nany differenl vays lo creale lhe sane
effecl. Ior lhis reason, an aIchenisl nay
knov hov lo creale a given polion, lul
nay nol recognize il or a fornuIa for il
vhen he sees il, sinpIy lecause il vas
crealed ly anolher aIchenisl.
An aIchenisl can creale one IeveI of
polions per day for each IeveI of experi-
ence he has gained. He nay never con-
line days lo creale a polion of a IeveI
higher lhan he has ollained. Iovders are
considered lo le haIf-IeveI polions for lhis
purpose. Ior exanpIe, a 1sl-IeveI aIchenisl
can creale lvo povders or one firsl-IeveI
polion. A 6lh-IeveI aIchenisl can creale
one sixlh-IeveI polion, six firsl-IeveI po-
lions, lhree second-IeveI polions, or any
olher conlinalion of polions lhal does nol
exceed six, in lhe course of one day.
An aIchenisl receives experience poinls
for lhe crealion of polions and olher nagi-
caI naleriaIs equaI lo lhe experience-poinl
vaIue of lhe finished ilen. An unsuccessfuI
allenpl al a fornuIa sliII earns 5O xp. He
aIso gains experience lhrough lhe finding,
idenlificalion, or discovery of various
pIanls, aninaIs, nineraIs, elc., for his
fornuIas (5-5O xp per evenl).
Any aIchenisl can disliII or creale poi-
sons. The slrenglh of lhe poison depends
on lhe IeveI of lhe aIchenisl. Danage done
DRAGON 39
TabIe S
TypIcaI IngredIents Ior AIchemIcaI PotIons and Powders
AIchemIcaI substance
Appearance, dust of
Acid resistance, oil of
Animal control
Beauty, philter of
Clairaudience
Clairvoyance
Climbing
Diminution
Disappearance, dust of
Disenchantment, oil of
Dragon control
Dryness, dust of
Elemental
invulnerability, oil of
ESP
Etherealness, oil of
Extra-healing
Fire breath
Fiery burning, oil of
Fire resistance
Flying
Gaseous form
Giant control
Giant strength
Glibness, philter of
Growth
Healing
Health, elixir of
Heroism
Human control
Illusion, dust of
Impact, oil of
Invisibility
Invulnerability
Kheoghtoms ointment
Levitation
Life, elixir of
Longevity
Love, philter of
Meditation, incense of
Nolzurs marvelous
pigments
Plant control
Polymorph self
Rainbow hues
Sharpness, oil of
Slipperiness, oil of
Sovereign glue
Speed
Super-heroism
Sweet water
Timelessness, oil of
Tracelessness, dust of
Treasure finding
Undead control
Ultimate solution
Ventriloquism
Vitality
Water breathing
Youth elixir
6 oz. of povdered chaIk, 5OO gp of eneraId dusl, and 12 annis hairs
Tvo gianl sIug eyeslaIks, and a lIack dragon fang
A pav, hoof, or cIav of lhe aninaI lype lo le conlroIIed, and a Iock of a druids hair
A Iock of sirine hair, and a ground succulus horn
Six gianl lal ears
Tvo gianl ovI eyes, and a cadaver lhaIanus gIand
A gianl spider Ieg
1 oz. of shrinking vioIel fIovers, vilh eilher 1 oz. of snyad lIood or a povdered sprile ving
12 povdered pixie vings, or one vhoIe (dead) invisilIe slaIker
12 oz. of disenchanler hair
The lrain of lhe appropriale dragon lype
A dusldigger arn, or a porlion of a sandIing
Dependenl upon lhe lype of eIenenlaI lo le conlroIIed: earlh uses liger eye, valer uses snoky
quarlz, air uses zircon, and fire uses ruly (gen vaIues of al Ieasl 1,OOO gp). Iovder lhe gen, lhen
add 4 oz. of lhe appropriale eIenenl.
6 oz. of doppIeganger lIood, or lvo nind fIayer lenlacIes
A lollIe of aeriaI servanl essence
6 oz. of lroII lIood
A chinera slonach, or a larled deviI cIav
Iive saIanander scaIes, or lhree drops of phoenix lIood
A red pyroIisk fealher, or a slench kov horn
Lighl hippogriff ving fealhers, or a Iock of Iegasus laiI
Dusl fron a deslroyed vanpire, or lhree dead vapor rals (in a lollIe)
A lrain of lhe appropriale gianl lype
Six fingernaiIs fron lhe appropriale gianl lype
Any ninor deviI longue
A spriggan hearl, or 6 oz. of ogre-nage lIood
A viaI of hoIy valer, lhree Iannasu fealhers, or 1 oz. of lroII fIesh
A viaI of hoIy valer, and a coualI fealher
The hearl of a Iion, or an androsphinx fealher
6 oz. of nixie lIood, or dusl fron a deslroyed vanpire or succulus
A Iock of Iania hair or a rakshasa lrain
A povdered ninolaur horn
6 oz. of pixie sveal
A larrasque or gargoyIe horn
1 pinl of royaI jeIIy fron gianl lees
Tvo lehoIder eyeslaIks, or 8 oz. of Type II denon ichor
1O phoenix head fealhers
3 oz. of eIven lIood, or 6 oz. of nunny dusl
A Iock of dryad hair
1 oz. of haIIucinogenic spores fron a nyconid, and one hoIy/unhoIy synloI
CIenalis, Iadys nanlIe, and 5OO gp vorlh of pIalinun or sapphire
2 oz. of lreanl sap, 1 oz. of shrieker spores, or a vegepygny lrain
A doppIeganger lrain, or a jackaIvere hearl
Tvo gianl dragonfIy vings
One larrasque loolh per + 1 of enchanlnenl
4 oz. of loggIe oiI
6 piece of cave fisher fiIanenl, one roper lenlacIe, or 16 fiIanenls fron a gianl sundev
A lhri-kreen eye, four unicorn nane hairs, or a gianl vasp ving
Iour gianl voIverine cIavs, and 6 oz. of (any) gianls lIood
Iour shedu laiI hairs
Iarl of a line eIenenlaI
2 oz. of loggarl lone
Three ancienl dragon scaIes
Hand of an eviI high priesl, or dusl fron a Iichs lones
2 oz. of dracoIisk acid, and lvo pearIs fron a Iand urchin
A lollIe of Ieprechauns lrealh
A viaI of hoIy valer, and a lilan fingernaiI cIipping or 3 oz. of lroII lIood
Lighl valer naga scaIes, or 1 oz. of lrilon giIIs
6 oz. of ki-rin hair
These ingredienls are onIy a fev possiliIilies. Inaginalion and research nay discover olher ilens lhal aIso produce lhe desired
conpound. The DM nusl keep in nind lhal il shouId nol le easy lo acquire aII lhe ingredienls for a polion - lhe nore poverfuI
polions in parlicuIar. Al Ieasl one ingredienl shouId le fron a poverfuI nonsler, le very rare and expensive, or le found in sone
renole pIace.
TypIcaI IngredIents
40 FEBRUARY 1988
ly a poison is equaI lo lhe crealors IeveI
nuIlipIied ly 1d6, so a 1sl-IeveI aIchenisl
can creale a poison lhal does 1d6 hp dan-
age unIess a saving lhrov vs. poison is
successfuI. NaluraIIy, if a saving lhrov is
successfuI, no danage is done ly lhe
poison. There is a 1O chance lhal lhe
disliIIalion of a poison resuIls in faiIure. If
lhis happens, lhe resuIl is sinpIy an inerl
fIuid. Do nol roII on TalIe 5 if lhis occurs.
AIchenisls nay disliII poisons fron
various nonslers, if lhey have a fornuIa
shoving lhen hov lo do il properIy. The
resuIlanl poison does lhe sane danage or
has lhe sane effecl as if il had leen ad-
ninislered ly lhe nonsler fron vhich il
vas disliIIed. If disliIIed vilhoul lhis for-
nuIa, lhe resuIl nay le veaker or nay do
nolhing al aII.
Whenever an aIchenisl creales or dis-
liIIs a poison, he sinuIlaneousIy fornu-
Iales ils anlidole. This is nol necessariIy
oul of concern for olhers, lul nore oul of
seIf-preservalion.
Acids can le crealed ly lhe aIchenisl,
leginning al lhe 5lh IeveI of aliIily. Al lhe
5lh IeveI, an aIchenisl can nake an acid
lhal does 1d6 hp danage lo any crealure
louched ly il. Acids crealed ly aIchenisls
of higher IeveI lhan 5lh do 1d6 hp danage
nore per IeveI of lhe crealor over 5lh
(e.g., a 7lh-IeveI aIchenisl can creale an
acid doing 3-18 hp danage).
Iovders and dusls are sinpIe con-
pounds vhich are quickIy Iearned ly an
aIchenisl. They can le added lo foods or
drinks, sprinkIed upon an ilen or crealure
lo le affecled, or fired fron a lIovlule.
Mosl povders are conpounded fron
various herls, rools, fIovers, elc. The
acquisilion of lhese pIanls is nol necessar-
iIy easiIy acconpIished. The DM deler-
nines vhelher or nol a given conponenl
is avaiIalIe lo lhe aIchenisl, and if nol
avaiIalIe, vhal nusl le done lo acquire il.
A fev povders require lhe addilion of
povdered gens or olher sulslances. Ior
lhis reason, nosl aIchenisls lecone coI-
Ieclors of gens and jeveIry ralher lhan
goId and siIver.
Various conpounds, povders, and po-
lions are given in TalIes 7 and 8, aIong
vilh lhe sulslances necessary for lheir
conpounding. Hovever, lhe aIchenisl
characler needs lo research or acquire
lhese fornuIas lo delernine lhe proper
proporlions of lhe ingredienls and lhe
nelhods of lheir conpounding. The DM
nay incIude in lreasure hoards sone
scroIIs conlaining various fornuIas for
polions and povders. Wilhoul a fornuIa
for a polion or povder, an aIchenisl can-
nol creale il, even if he knovs everylhing
eIse aloul lhal sulslance. MagicaI aIcheni-
caI scroIIs nay le found vhich enalIe an
aIchenisl lo conpound a polion lhal is
olhervise leyond his IeveI, lul lhese are
usalIe for one nixing onIy.
Olher usefuI sulslances vhich an aIche-
nisl nighl acquire incIude acids, aIkaIies,
aIcohoI, oiIs, and valer, for use as soI-
venls, corrosives, preservanls, and lhe
Iike. A chenislry lexllook offers nore
infornalion for ganers vho vanl nore
delaiIs on lhis.
Lven lhough lhe aIchenisl appears lo le
nore a schoIar lhan an advenlurer, he can
sliII le an aclive and vialIe NIC, and a
greal assel lo any group of advenlurers
relurning lo lovn fron a lrip inlo lhe
viIderness. If lhe DM aIIovs lhe aIchenisl
lo le proficienl in lhroving rocks, viaIs,
elc., lhe aIchenisl can le effeclive as
secondary arliIIery, preceding hand-lo-
hand conlal. AIso, his assorlnenl of
Illustration courtesy of Dover Books
fIuids and povders can le as effeclive as
nagicaI speIIs in nany cases. Il lecones
fruslraling for lhe characlers lo find a
usefuI polion, lhen have lo use of haIf of il
in order lo delernine jusl vhal il is. AI-
chenisls can save Iols of lroulIe here vilh
lheir speciaI skiIIs.
Try lhe aIchenisl in your canpaign. He
nakes a greal NIC for lhe DM, lul hes
even nore fun for lhe pIayers!
[Previous versions of the alchemist NPC
have appeared in DRAGON issues #3,45,
and 49.]
DRAGON 41
42 FEBRUARY 1988
uli squalled nolionIess near lhe edge
of lhe reef fIal, her sliII lody vashed
line afler line ly lhe vaves ceaseIess
aclion. Her goIden lrovn skin and
lhe faded skirl and Iong-sIeeved nans
lunic she vore for varnlh againsl lhe
evening chiII lIended perfeclIy vilh
lhe lunlIe of coraI slones and louIders.
OnIy her eyes noved as she searched lhe inconing
sveIIs.
Cone lo ne, lrolhers, she chanled soflIy. Cone fiII
ny nels lefore I lurn lo a coId slone here in lhe sea. She
did nol use a lrue leckoning speII - she dared nol vilh
IahuIu Iurking nearly - she onIy said lhe vords in line
vilh lhe shifling vaves.
IIickering coIor caughl Iulis allenlion, and she shifled
her gaze lo foIIov lhe erralic palhs of lvo lIue-green par-
rol fish. They legan feeding on lhe Iiving coraI, and Iuli
valched palienlIy vhiIe lhey darled here and lhere anong
lhe coIorfuI grovlhs, lurning and drifling logelher
lhrough lhe cIear valer as if lhey vere one.
The parrol fish lurned avay fron lhe reef, and alruplIy,
Iuli dashed forvard. She Ieapl a gap in lhe coraI and scooped
lhe slarlIed fish inlo her hand nels. As quickIy as one
louched and langIed ilseIf in lhe Iefl nel, lhe olher did lhe
sane in lhe righl. SlruggIing for fooling in lhe vaves slrong
lackvash, Iuli Iifled each of lhe fish lo her noulh, liling
lhen jusl lehind lheir eyes. Il kiIIed lhen inslanlIy and
renoved lhen forever fron IahuIus pover.
Il vas a gane lhese lvo pIayed, lhe isIand sorceress and
lhe nainIand varrior: one forever Iurking in lhe lack-
ground, lhe olher nelicuIousIy avoiding aII use of lhe
nagic lhal vouId give lhe sorceress enlry lo her souI.
IahuIus sorcery vas parlicuIarIy poverfuI in and around
lhe sea, Iuli knev. The sorceress couId send her souI inlo
lhe Iiving fish and olher sea Iife, linding lhen lo her viII
and enchanling lhen so lhal lheir fIesh vouId cause lerri-
lIe nighlnares, even dealh for any vho ale il.
Iuli gIanced lack lovard lhe leach as she disenlangIed
lhe fish fron her nels. She knev lhe sorceress vas lhere
sonevhere, hiding in lhe shadovs, vailing for lhe chance
lhal Iuli nighl lreak her resoIve never lo use nagic on
lhis isIe. Iuli vondered if lhe isIanders knev lhal lheir
heaIer gained her pover ly draining il fron olher Iiving
crealures, if lhal vas vhy so IillIe nagic vas in evidence
here. She sluffed lhe fish inlo her voven vaisl pouch and
viped lhe sIickness fron her hands.
CasuaIIy scanning lhe reef fIal, Iuli sav lhal lhe girI
Tarave had crepl cIoser vhiIe she vas lusy vilh lhe fish.
Tarave vas Iying prone in lhe valer nov, vilh onIy her
head alove lhe shifling vaves, no doull lhinking herseIf
veII-hidden. Iuli reslrained a sniIe, her unacknovIedged
apprenlice vas gelling leller.
Iuli supposed she vouId have lo do sonelhing aloul
Tarave soon. Send her avay. Make her angry or afraid
enough lo slop her spying lefore lhe olhers, especiaIIy
IahuIu, decided lo lake nolice. Il vas loo lad, for lhe
leenager shoved greal pronise and vas olviousIy inler-
esled in Iearning. Oflen, Iuli cane upon her praclicing
sone lechnique Iearned onIy fron dislanl valching.
A change in lhe air lroughl Iulis fuII allenlion lack lo
5hark-kI!!cr
by Carn! 5cvcrancc
Illustrations by Paul Jaqmys
DRAGON 43
44
lhe sea. The rhylhn of lhe vaves had nol changed. Nor
had lhe vind, lul sonelhing vas oddIy differenl. She
Iislened carefuIIy alove lhe runlIing surf, vishing she
couId caII on Manos pover lo anpIify lhe sounds. She
had Iived so Iong under her lolens proleclion lhal al
lines she dislrusled her ovn naluraI senses.
Iuli grev laul as she recognized lhe sofl spIash of canoe
paddIes and lhe lareIy audilIe cadence of a vhispered var
chanl. QuickIy, she sank dovn again and lurned her Iook
lovard lhe open sea.
No isIander vouId le oulside lhe Iagoon al lhis hour. Il
vas near dark, lhe sun had aInosl sel. Iuli had onIy
slayed on lhe reef lhis Iong lo leach Tarave a Iesson -
and lo irrilale IahuIu. She hoped lhe girI, al Ieasl, vouId
have sense enough lo renain hidden.
The chanling drifled off vilh lhe vind for a nonenl,
lhen relurned, jusl Ioud enough for Iuli lo foIIov lhe loal.
Through squinled eyes she nade oul a shadov on lhe
valer, lhen lhe vavering siIhouelle of an oulrigger pad-
dIing canoe learing sleadiIy lovard lhe isIand. As il
reached lhe lreaking vaves, lhe sleersnan dug his paddIe
deep inlo lhe sea, lurning lhe canoe paraIIeI lo lhe reefs
edge. The chanl changed. The leal lecane slronger, lhe
voices deeper so lhal lhe sound carried cIear and cIean
lhrough lhe nighl air.
Mano, prolecl lhe girI, Iuli vhispered soflIy. She did
nol ask lhe sharks safely for herseIf - she no Ionger heId
lhal righl - lul dread crepl Iike nainIand coId across her
lack. The chanl vas a ghosl song, sung onIy ly crevs of
lhe dead. She couId see-nov lhal lhe canoe carried onIy
seven paddIers. The pIace lefore lhe sleersnan vas
enply.
The canoe noved sleadiIy cIoser. Il vouId pass jusl
yards avay fron-vhere Iuli hid. She lraced herseIf as lesl
she couId againsl lhe surge, and lrealhed sporadicaIIy
lelveen lhe sveep of lhe deepening vaves. The lide vas
recIaining lhe reef, so she vouId have lo nove soon or
risk drovning.
The sudden lhoughl lhal lhe canoe nighl have cone for
her nade Iuli shiver, gave her a lasle of lrine lhrough
inadverlenlIy parled Iips. The greal varrior Ser Iuli
Mano, one lhe Teronin Wars lIoodiesl survivors, dead
vilh a sackfuI of fish on her lack. There vas a joke lo lesl
lhe gods. She sucked in a sIov, deep lrealh, lucked her
chin lo her chesl, and sIid lenealh lhe valer vhiIe lhe
canoe gIided pasl.
As soon as she dared, Iuli Iifled her head again. There
vas sonelhing faniIiar aloul lhe canoe, lhough il seened
lo le nade in lhe isIand slyIe. Wood lhunked on vood
and a nuffIed curse reached Iulis ears, causing her lo
choke in surprise. She dropped quickIy-undervaler again,
hoIding vhal IillIe lrealh she had Iefl unliI il couId le heId
no nore.
This vas no ghosl canoe! Nol unIess dead nen nov
cursed in lhe guller longue of Teron. Iuli shifled and
peered again lhrough lhe near darkness. Knoving nov
vhal lo Iook for, she recognized lhe sIighlIy high prov and
exlended oulrigger of a Teronin var canoe. Il had leen
aIlered lo appear isIand-nade fron a dislance, and cer-
lainIy lhe dealh chanl vas reaI enough, sung in lhe is-
Iands ovn diaIecl. Bul lhe nen aloard, she vouId
FEBRUARY1988
We are nol inleresled in var here, IahuIu said. Co
avay and donl speak aloul il furlher. We viII renain
inside al nighl unliI lhe canoe conpIeles ils lhird passage.
We viII provide no opporlunily for unlineIy accidenls,
and lhe ghosl canoe viII go eIsevhere lo fiII ils vacanl
seal.
Iuli cursed lhen - lhe isIanders for lheir slullorness,
IahuIu for her dupIicily, and herseIf for having so fooIishIy
Aye, and you kiIIed your ovn faniIy lolen lo seaI lhe
largain, anolher added. Hov can you even lhink of
laking up lhal lIade again` Iuli Iifled a hand lo her
neck, vhere she had once vorn a slrand of Manos leelh
lo signify her shane. She had dravn lhe greal gray shark
lo her vilh an ancienl faniIy song, lhen sIil his slonach
vilh her fine, nelaI svord, reIinquishing his proleclion so
lhal she couId Iive for a fev shorl nonlhs vilhoul furlher
lIoodshed. The neckIace vas gone nov, lul lhe feeI of lhe
sharks Iosl slrenglh sliII lurned againsl her skin.
You gave your vord nol lo lare your svord on our
soiI, one of lhe younger nen said.
eign vays and laIes of lIoodshed corrupl our chiIdren.
Her lIack leelh gIislened and her eyes fIashed lriunph.
Iuli knev she couId never convince lhe olhers vhiIe Ia-
huIu denied her varning.
Bul IahuIu vas far up on lhe leach, Iuli said. I vas
al lhe reefs edge, so cIose I couId have reached oul and
louched lhe canoe. She expIained again aloul lhe shape
of lhe vesseI, repealed lhe vhispered var chanl shed
heard, and lhe Teronin curse. She inpIored lhen lo aid
her in preparing for lhe isIands defense.
Bul lhey vouId have none of il.
Co lack lo your hul, IahuIu said, lefore your for-
No, varrior, il vas a lrue ghosl canoe lhal cane lo-
nighl, Taraves uncIe venl on. IahuIu sav il fron
shore. We aII heard lhe chanl righl here in lhe viIIage.
We have no quarreI vilh lhe Teronin, Taraves uncIe
said. He vas chief of lhe Ieading cIan, and he spoke for aII
lhe olhers. These isIands are neulraI lerrilory, nore
vaIualIe Iefl aIone lhan deslroyed ly roving varriors. We
pay reguIar lrilule lo lhe Teronin lo Ieave us in peace.
Iuli vondered, nol for lhe firsl line, vhal lhese snaII
isIands had lo offer lhal kepl lhe Teronin avay. Ierhaps il
vas onIy lheir isoIalion and lheir seening poverly lhal
provided lheir proleclion.
The onIy Iives lhal vesseI seeks are lhose loo fooIish lo
prepare a defense, Iuli loId lhen aII vhen IahuIu in-
sisled lhe ghosl canoe vas reaI. Ils an oId Teronin lrick.
They use sone IocaI superslilion lo frighlen lheir inlended
viclins inlo huddIing logelher unarned. Then lhey allack
vhen you are nosl vuIneralIe. If you insisl upon hiding
in your hones lo avoid a nonexislenl ghosl canoe, Teronin
varriors viII vaIk ashore unchaIIenged lvo nighls fron
nov. They viII sIaughler you in your ovn hones.
As soon as lhe canoe vas gone, Iuli sIipped lack across
lhe reef fIal. She slarlIed Tarave fron her hiding pIace
and urged lhe soaking, shivering girI lack lo lhe viIIage.
IahuIu vas aIready lhere, laIking exciledIy lo lhe galhered
isIanders.
vager, vere as aIive and varrior-vise as she. Iuli re-
nained as sliII as lhe groving coraI unliI lhe canoe had
conpIeled ils passage aIong lhe vindvard reef.
accepled lhe condilions of lhese peopIes peace. She vas
enraged ly lhe casuaI reference lo her disgrace. She
dunped her pouch of fish al Taraves uncIes feel and
slaIked off, laking IillIe salisfaclion fron lhe envious con-
nenls concerning lhe size and quaIily of her calch.
IooIs, she nullered.
Shark-kiIIer, she heard one of lhe vonen repIy.
She poinledIy ignored Tarave, vho had enlered lhe
canoe house and vas neasuring lhe heighl of lhe Iargesl
canoes prov.
The girI cane lo her earIy lhe nexl norning. She sal
cross-Iegged jusl oulside Iulis snaII cookhouse, valching
in siIence vhiIe Iuli noved lhe loiIed lreadfruil fron lhe
kellIe lo lhe vooden pounding loard. Iuli sIanned lhe
heavy pO dovn onlo lhe nound of soflened lreadfruil.
Whal are you going lo do` Tarave asked afler a
line.
Iuli did nol Iook up. You can see very veII vhal I an
doing. The slone peslIe crashed again and again inlo lhe
vooden lrough. Had lhis leen an ordinary day, lhe
sounds of siniIar pounding vouId have echoed across lhe
isIand. Bul lhe isIanders vere perforning onIy siIenl and
safe dulies loday, lhose vhich couId le done in or near
lheir hones.
I nean aloul lhe Teronin.
'The pO slruck vilh enough force lo spIaller vhile lread-
fruil pasle.
If you keep svinging Iike lhal, Tarave said driIy,
youII lash yourseIf righl in lhe head. Then a ghosl ca-
noe viII cone for sure.
Iuli lil lack a sharp repIy, sniIed sIighlIy, and Iighlened
her slrokes. In nol afraid of ghosls, she Iied.
Are you afraid of lhe Teronin`
Iuli sighed. Co avay, girI, you knov I canl speak lo
you of lhe Teronin.
Tarave Ieaned her eIlovs on her knees, chin on crossed
hands. If lheyre going lo kiII us aII lonorrov nighl any-
vay, vhal does il naller if you laIk lo ne nov`
Il nallers lecause I gave ny vord nol lo, Iuli said.
She nel lhe girIs frank slare. I kiIIed ny ovn faniIys
god, gave up ny righl lo his pover and his proleclion, lo
prove ny vord vas good and gain your eIders pernission
lo Iive here in peace. Do you lhink I look lhal oalh
IighlIy`
Tarave vas lhe firsl lo gIance avay. Iuli relurned lo her
pounding.
My uncIe and lhe olhers viII le eager enough for your
svord lonorrov, Tarave said afler a line.
Iuli snorled, vondering vhy lhe girI vas leing so per-
sislenl. Lven if I vere reIeased fron ny vov, ny svord
arn vouId le of IillIe use afler lhe enlire Teronin fIeel
arrives, she said. The Teronin donl engage in conlesls
of honor. They vonl slride across lhe reef one ly one
lonorrov lo neel your isIand chanpion.
Taraves hesilalion vas very sIighl. Then you nusl
neel lhen lonighl, she said, vhen lhey are lul a fev.
Iuli lIinked, gIanced around lo le sure lhey vere nol
leing overheard. The girI vas righl, of course, lhal il no
Ionger nallered, lul her vord had leen given and lhe
halil of caulion vas slrong. She sucked a vad of lread-
DRAGON 45
Iuli slared al her, lhen dovn al lhe pounding loard,
renenlering suddenIy lhose earIy veeks on lhe isIe, vhen
she had lhoughl her exhauslion and reslIess, drean-Iaden
sIeep vere lhe naluraI resuIl of her heaIing vounds and
overaII veariness. IahuIu had leen loo eager, hovever,
and Iuli had lecone suspicious. She discovered lhal each
line she allenpled a sinpIe sIeep or seIf-heaIing speII,
each line she sang lhe fish inlo her nels inslead of sinpIy
Nol Iives, Tarave correcled. SouIs! IahuIu slrips
lhen of lheir pover vhiIe lhey resl here in 'peace, and
lhen lhe eIders seII lheir enply sheIIs lo lhe Teronin.
By lhe very gods! Iuli lrealhed. The lrilule! You
luy your freedon ly seIIing hunan Iives!
Whal olhers` Iuli denanded.
Tarave hesilaled again. Then she Iaughed, her voice
lecane a nocking parady of IahuIus. Did you lhink
you vere lhe firsl lo le inviled lo our isIand, varrior` Oh
no, youre nol lhal speciaI despile your greal repulalion.
We offer our hospilaIily lo nany peopIe - as nany as il
lakes lo keep lhe Teronin recruiling ships fiIIed. They
prefer lhose aIready lrained lo var, lul lhey care IillIe for
lheir prior IoyaIlies.
Tarave slared al lhe lreadfruil for a nonenl, lhen
angriIy kicked sand over il. I lhoughl you vere differ-
enl, she said. She junped up and sellIed her fisls on her
hips. Youre even vorse lhan lhe olhers! You jusl sil here
and lake vhal cones. They al Ieasl had lhe excuse of
leing lricked inlo giving up lheir slrenglh lefore lhe
Teronin cane. Youre sliII vhoIe and slrong, and -
I have a nelaI svord vhich I cannol usc, girI. Iuli
Iifled lhe pO, lhen legan lo pound again, slriking lhe
lreadfruil lo lhe leal of her vords. A svord lhal I will
nol use even if your eIders as|. A gol of slicky pasle sluck
lo lhe peslIe and fIev off vilh lhe nexl dovnvard slroke.
Il spIalled on lhe ground near Tarave.
Bul youre a lrained varrior, Tarave said. Youve
foughl lhe Teronins lefore. You have a reaI nelaI svord
and a chance againsl lhen.
When a varrior lakes lhe Iife of anolher person, even
an eneny, she exposes her ovn souI lo lhe eviI lhal sur-
rounds aII vioIenl dealhs. She lecones vuIneralIe lo lhe
darkness, and vilhoul carefuI lraining and lhe proleclion
of her faniIy gods, she has IillIe defense againsl il.
Iuli dropped lhe pc and Ieaned forvard. Have you
ever cul lhrough hunan nuscIe` she denanded. KiIIing
a nan is nol lhe sane as kiIIing a sheIIfish, girI. Il is nol so
easy, nor can il le done vilh so IillIe consequence.
Tarave puIIed lack, and Iuli forced herseIf lo speak nore
caInIy.
I can cul lhe inner nuscIe of a gianl cIan vilh a singIe
slroke!
fruil fron lhe side of her hand.
You couId surprise lhen, Tarave said, her eyes
sparked vilh sudden excilenenl. They vonl le expecl-
ing you on lhe reef lonighl. You couId kiII lhen aII lefore
lhey even knev vhal vas happening.
Iuli look a deep lrealh and resuned her pounding.
III heIp you. Tarave cried. I knov lhe reef, and I
knov hov lo use a knife.
Thal lroughl a Iaugh. You knov hov lo sIice lread-
fruil and gul fish, girI.
46
A package Iay al lhe lollon of lhe lox. Iuli unlied lhe
coconul lvine lindings and foIded lack lhe voven vrap-
pings lo reveaI a heavy, vooden var cIul. Lifling il in
lolh hands, she carefuIIy inspecled lhe doulIe rov of
sharks leelh lhal Iined lhe veapons jagged edges.
They vere Manos ovn leelh, sloIen fron his lody lo
earn herseIf lhis lrief line of peace. Iuli ran her fingers
aIong lhe gIislening, vhile surfaces, lesled lheir sealings in
Il pained her lo see so iII-kepl a veapon, lul, even if
her oalh had nol leen given, she vouId nol lare lhal
lIade again. She had used il lo kiII Mano-niuhi, lhe greal
gray shark, proleclor of her cIan and faniIy. Il had leen
lhe price of her slay on lhis neulraI isIand - lhal and
her honor.
Laler, hidden inside her sIeeping hul, Iuli opened her
privale lox. The Iocking speII had nol leen of her ovn
devising, aIlhough il yieIded easiIy enough lo her louch,
and vas lhus safe fron IahuIus infIuence. Iuli lossed her
coId-vealher cIoak aside, sneezing al ils nusliness. Iov-
dery sprays of niIdev lIossoned on each of lhe Iealher
cIasps and on her lorn nainIand lools. Rusl Iined lhe
edges of her forlidden svords scallard, and Iuli vinced
as she pushed il aside.
Tarave lIinked lack lears, lhen spun and ran off le-
lveen lhe lrees. The shadov disappeared as Iulis nexl
slroke spIil lhe vooden pounding loard in lvo.
I cane here lecause I vas loo veII knovn lo find any
nainIand hideavay, Iuli said. I cane here lecause I
vas desperale. I accepled your eIders condilions for ny
slay onIy lecause I vas loo veak and horror-fiIIed lo do
olhervise. Ireedon fron eviI carries a heavy price,
youngsler. A shadov, darker lhan lhe surrounding
shadovs, fIickered near lhe edge of lhe cIearing. Iuli
slraighlened.
Co avay, girI, she said very soflIy. Co avay nov,
and do nol cone near ne again.
B u l -
Co!
I lhoughl you vere differenl, Tarave said. Her voice
sounded again Iike lhal of a young girI. You resisled
IahuIu fron lhe leginning. Thals vhy I cane lo you, lo
heIp you.
Lven lhe nosl poverfuI and pracliced of varriors
nusl Ieave lhe lallIefieIds al lines, Iuli said. The dark-
ness and lhe lIood and lhe horror aII lIend inlo one afler
nany kiIIings or afler ve have leen veakened ly injury or
exhauslion or sinpIe disgusl. The approach lo eviI le-
cones irresislilIe.
Aye, Iuli had repIied, a niscaIcuIalion, and fron
lhal day on, she enpIoyed onIy her physicaI skiIIs. She
Iived and fished as she had in her chiIdhood lefore leing
lrained lo lhe vays of pover and var. The nighlnares
ceased and her slrenglh sIovIy relurned. She Iooked up
again al Tarave.
A niscaIcuIalion, IahuIu had said vhen Iuli con-
fronled her. I soughl onIy lo lesl your inlenlions, lo ver-
ify lhal lhe fish you provide lhe viIIagers are nol lainled
ly any nainIand sorcery.
vailing for lhen lo cone near, IahuIu vas using lhe op-
porlunily lo drain her slrenglh avay.
FEBRUARY 1988
lhe fire-hardened vood and lvisled coconul filer.
Mano, she vhispered. Il is line. Tonighl I viII lake
you lack lo lhe sea. I cIain no righl lo your proleclion,
lul I sliII ove you vengeance. Tonighl ve viII lasle again
lhe lIood of our enenies.
She Iifled a shieId fron lhe lox - il, loo, vas sludded
vilh Manos pover - and pIaced il aIong vilh lhe var
cIul alop her sIeeping nal. Iuli had honored her pIedge lo
sel aside her nainIand var looIs, lul no one had sug-
gesled she nol creale nev ones vilh lhe isIands ovn re-
sources. They assuned lhal lecause lhere vas no nelaI
here, lhere vas no vay for her lo creale repIacenenls.
And, Iuli reaIized nov, lhe isIanders had expecled her lo
le heIpIess under IahuIus dark infIuence.
Afler hiding Manos veapons and selling lhe lox and
ils olher conlenls oul lo air, Iuli vaIked lo Taraves un-
cIes house and lried again lo expIain lhe danger. IahuIu
arrived jusl lehind her and vhispered inlo lhe chieflains
ear so lhal he sinpIy frovned and refused lo Iislen lo
Iulis varnings. She caIIed hin a fooI, hin and aII his
peopIe, lhen did vhal she had reaIIy cone lo do.
Keep your niece avay fron ne, she conpIained.
In lired of her foIIoving ne aloul lhe isIand, valching
everylhing I do. She leIongs vilh lhe resl of lhe chiIdren.
Il vas crueI lo shane lhe girI so, lul lhis vas nol a line
for a varrior lo have an unlried leenager al her lack.
Besides, if IahuIu joined in lhe lallIe lonighl, as Iuli
knev she nusl, Tarave vas safer Iocked avay vilh her
silIings. The sorceress vouId nol hesilale lo kiII lhe girI if
she couId gain pover ly doing so.
If ly sone chance I survive lhis nighl, Iuli pronised
Tarave siIenlIy, I viII lake you fron lhis pIace and find
you a hone anong peopIe vho pay lheir dells honeslIy.
Relurning lo her ovn hul, Iuli lvisled her Iong hair
inlo a lopknol and donned her faded lrovn lrousers and
lunic. She hid lhe var cIul and shieId vilhin lhe luIk of
her skirls and lhe lundIe of her nels and sel off lhrough
lhe jungIe.
So, varrior, you lhink lo defy lhe gods and fish on lhe
reef despile lheir cIear varning. IahuIu slepped inlo lhe
palh and reached oul lo louch Iulis lundIe of nels. Iuli
slepped lack.
If, indeed, il is a varning as you cIain, I an in no
danger unliI lonorrov, Iuli said.
A ghosl canoe rareIy deparls vilhoul fiIIing ils enply
pIace, lhe sorceress repIied. You couId le injured on lhe
reef loday and die on lhe norrov. She reached for lhe
nels again. Ierhaps I can offer a snaII varding
speII. . . .
If you louch ny nels again, sorceress, Iuli said vilh-
oul noving, il viII le you for vhon lhe ghosl canoe
cones.
IahuIu sniIed lighlIy and refoIded her arns across her
chesl. Her eyes and her very slance pIeaded vilh Iuli lo
defy her, lo use sone snaII speII lo sel lhe lallIe in no-
lion. Iuli knev lhal lhal vay Ied onIy lo dealh. Her one
chance Iay in lhe surprise of her veapons and lhe arrivaI
of lhe unsuspecling Teronin. Nol even lhe sorceress vouId
expecl her lo acl lonighl. Iuli slepped around lhe oId
vonan, shivering as lhe oId vonans cackIing Iaughler
foIIoved her aIong lhe shaded palh.
Iuli chose a pIace on lhe reef near vhere she had leen
lhe evening lefore. Squalling in lhe vaisl-deep valer, she
freed herseIf of lhe skirl and anchored il aIong vilh lhe
varcIul and shieId lenealh lhe vaves. Selling her fish
spear alop a coraI slone, she disnanlIed lhe vooden
franes of her hand nels and lied lhe lvo nels logelher,
lesling lhen vilh a yank lefore draping lhen across one
shouIder.
IinaIIy, she puIIed a Ieaf-vrapped packel of dark pasle
fron her vaisl pouch. The dye had leen loiIed dovn
nonlhs ago fron lhe sack of a gianl oclopus, and she used
il nov lo drav dark Iines aIong her cheeks. The narks of
Mano vouId provide her no nagicaI proleclion during lhe
coning lallIe, for even if lhe shark sliII acknovIedged her,
she dared nol use his nagic vhiIe IahuIu vas nearly.
SliII, lhe Teronin had no vay of knoving she had forsaken
her lolen, lhe narks nighl sIov lhen al Ieasl for an in-
slanl.
As lhe sun legan lo sel, Iuli Iislened for lhe dislanl leal
of lhe paddIers chanl. SeveraI lines she lhoughl she
heard il, lhen reaIized il vas onIy lhe vaves and lhe vind.
When lhe fainl sound finaIIy cane, she vas sliff fron nol
noving, groving coId in lhe Iale evening air. Shifling
carefuIIy, she slrelched vhal nuscIes she couId vilhoul
reveaIing herseIf, and adjusled her heighl lo lhe rising
lide.
The vhispered var chanl haIled sooner lhan lhe nighl
lefore, as if lhe Teronin vere laking nore care lhis line
nol lo le overheard. Iuli fingered her nels. Lven lhough
she vas vailing for il, she slarled vhen lhe eerie uIuIalion
of lhe dealh chanl legan. The sound vas Iike vinler ice
sIicing lhrough her souI.
Sonelhing noved lo her righl, and alruplIy Iuli sank
dovn so lhal onIy her eyes vere alove lhe valer Iine.
There vas a lhud and a slarlIed cry, cul off quickIy, lhen a
spIash as one of lhe Teronin loppIed fron lhe canoe.
InslanlIy, lhe dealh chanl slopped. A shoul cane fron
lhe canoe, lhen a shriII keening vaiI fron lhe leach.
Manos leelh! Iuli cursed. The caII had leen one of
queslion, lhe vaiI - Iuli recognized IahuIus haled voice
- an ansvering Teronin allack connand. The sorceress
had given Iulis posilion avay.
The canoe drifled for a nonenl, lhen a franlic, vhis-
pered connand lroughl il cIoser lo lhe reef. Before lhe
Teronin couId gel near enough lo Ieap direclIy onlo lhe
coraI, Iuli junped up. Wilh a greal shoul, she sIung lhe
fish nels across lhe fronl of lhe canoe. Making use of lhe
inconing surge, she yanked hard, lringing lhe enlangIed
lovnan crashing inlo lhe prov and lurning lhe canoe
ilseIf inlo lhe reef. As lhe canoe sped lovard her, she
lhrev her spear.
Her ain vas lrue, and lhanks lo endIess hours of
pounding lreadfruil, her arn proved as slrong as ever.
The lhin, vooden spear sIiced easiIy lhrough lhe neck of
lhe nearesl varrior and Iodged soIidIy in lhe shouIder of
lhe one lehind. Tvo sIivers of coId louched Iulis souI,
and she knev lhal lhe lovnan and lhe firsl of lhe speared
varriors vere dead.
She feIl IahuIu sIip a vedge of darkness inlo lhe open-
ing lhe dealhs crealed. Wilhoul Manos proleclion, Iuli
had IillIe defense againsl lhe eviI coId, yel she dared nol
caII upon lhe sea god. She couId feeI lhe sorceress circIing,
vailing for lhe chance lo enler fuIIy and lake conlroI.
III give nyseIf lo lhe Teronin lefore I give nyseIf lo
you, oId vonan, she nullered.
Bul Iuli vas loo veII lallIe-lrained lo sland quielIy
vhiIe lhe Teronin kiIIed her. There vere onIy lhree Iefl,
possilIy four if one vas hiding under lhe enply seal. She
seaIed her nind as lesl she couId, and scooped up her
cIul and shieId.
I an Mano! she screaned and fIung herseIf al lhe
lvo varriors nov Ieaping onlo lhe reef. One nan slayed
aloard, lrying lo save lhe canoe fron lhe vaves. Iuli
Iaughed aIoud vhen lhe olhers hesilaled lefore shrieking
lheir ovn lallIe cries in repIy. Lven in lhe groving dark-
ness she read recognilion and fear in lheir eyes. Il vas
cIear lhey had nol expecled a lallIe on lhis nighl, and
cerlainIy nol one vilh a fuIIy arned and avare varrior. Il
vas cIear, loo, lhal lhey nov knev vho she vas.
She varded a lIov fron lhe nearesl nans svord, lvisl-
ing her shieId as lhe lIade lurned so lhal Manos leelh
dug deepIy inlo lhe Teronins svord arn. He cried oul,
slunlIed. A vave vashed avay his fooling. InslanlIy, Iuli
lroughl hin dovn vilh lhe var cIul. BIood fron his arn
and lhe lack of his crushed skuI slained lhe lviIil valer
lIack. Warnlh svirIed al Iulis ankIes vhiIe IahuIus
darkness and inages of horror forced a deeper gouge inlo
her consciousness.
The second varriors lIov caughl Iuli as she rose, sliII
disorienled ly IahuIus oiIy lhrusl. She deIileraleIy coI-
Iapsed under lhe lIov lo Iessen ils force, lul sliII lhe var-
riors vide nelaI lIade sIid across her shouIder Iike a
lranch of fire coraI. She feII, roIIed painfuIIy, and
DRAGON 47
48
crouched lo neel hin again. She caIIed on lhe honesl pain
in her shouIder, lhe lrue pain of ripped skin and lorn nus-
cIe, forcing il lo lake precedence over lhe chaos in her
nind. She nel lhe Teronins second lhrusl vilh Manos
shieId, raking il dovnvard aIong lhe nans arn and
chesl. Then she kiIIed hin vilh a sveeping lIov of lhe
nighly var cIul.
Iuli slaggered under IahuIus innediale allack. Her
nind squirned avay fron lhe darkness Iike an eeI lying
ilseIf in knols lo escape a fishervonans hook. Casping,
she sIid lhe lack of her hand aIong her shieIds jagged
edge and focused on lhe pain lo keep fron caIIing oul lo
Mano.
Iuli feIl ralher lhan sav novenenl on lhe canoe. She
spun around, Ioosening lhe shieId. The canoe had puIIed
off lhe coraI and vas drifling sIovIy jusl leyond lhe Iine of
lreaking vaves. There vere lvo peopIe on loard, facing
each olher vilh dravn svords.
Tarave! Iuli reaIized vilh horror lhal lhe girI had sone-
hov nanaged lo gel aloard lhe disalIed Teronin vesseI.
Of course, she lhoughl, and cursed herseIf for a fooI. Il
vas Tarave vho dovned lhe firsl Teronin. Wilh a fish
spear, no doull, lhrovn fron lhe edge of lhe reef. Iuli had
seen lhe girI praclice lhe nove oflen enough. Bul hov had
Tarave escaped her uncIes vigiIance, and vhere had she
gollen lhe svord`
The Teronin crepl forvard, laIancing vilh pracliced
ease on lhe lolling canoe. Tarave crouched, vailing,
svord arn cIose lo her side. Iuli couId nol lhrov lhe
shieId for fear of hilling lhe girI. There vas a novenenl
lehind Tarave as lhe nan Iuli had speared earIier slrug-
gIed lo puII lhe vooden spike fron his shouIder. He
yanked il free jusl as lhe olher Teronin Iunged al Tarave.
The girI dipped nealIy lenealh lhe varriors svord
arn, and Iuli senl her shieId saiIing, knocking lhe nan
vilh lhe spear inlo lhe sea. Again, ice gralled al her souI.
Anolher dealh. Iuli pushed IahuIu lack. The Iasl Teronin
slunlIed as he passed Tarave, caughl hinseIf, lhen
alruplIy sIunped forvard across a lIood-soaked huII.
Tarave had kiIIed hin, gulled hin as snoolhIy as if he
vere a luna.
Tarave slared al lhe dead varrior for a nonenl, lhen
gave a ragged cry and lenl lo junp inlo lhe valer. A
svifl, dark shape sIid lenealh lhe drifling vesseI.
Slay in lhe canoe! Iuli screaned. Anolher dark forn
approached lhe canoe, and anolher. Mano had cone for
lhe lasle of lIood.
Slay in lhe canoe! Iuli caIIed again. She couId hear
lhe panic in her ovn voice, see il in Taraves slance. Ia-
huIu ripped al her ninds rav edges.
Then alruplIy, IahuIu puIIed lack. The darkness
faded, disappeared, lhe nighlnare inages ceased. Slar-
lIed, Iuli lurned lack lovard lhe leach. IahuIu vas
slanding in knee-deep valer, and as Iuli valched, she
Iifled lolh hands lo poinl al lhe Teronin canoe. The shriII
keening legan again, and Iuli heard Tarave cry oul, a
Iong shuddering vaiI.
No! Iuli shouled. Leave lhe girI aIone! She lurned
lack lo see Tarave drop her svord and cIulch her head in
lolh hands. The girI svayed, slunlIed, reached again for
lhe side of lhe canoe. The sharks circIed, vailing.
Tine and again as Iuli svan and foughl and svan
again, lhe racing sharks slarlIed her inlo choking dovn yel
nore of lhe lIood-sIined sea. Take ne quickIy, she lried
lo sing, lefore IahuIu sucks ny souI dry. Her arns feIl
IahuIu snashed her, forcing her deeper in lhe valer. A
schooI of liny needIe fish svarned around her face naking
il inpossilIe lo lrealh. In desperalion, Iuli allenpled an
allack speII of her ovn, ripping in lhe nanner of Mano al
lhe sorceresss nind. She had a svifl lasle of acrid liIe
lefore IahuIu lvisled avay and janned her ovn vedge
of conlroI deeper.
Iuli gIanced again al lhe canoe, lhen lhrev her var cIul
as far as she couId inlo lhe sea, knoving she couId never
use il againsl lhe sharks. She dove inlo lhe nexl vave and
slarled svinning. Sonelhing lunped againsl her Ieg.
She screaned and sank, choked on fouI-lasling lrine.
Iighling lack lo lhe surface, she sav lhal il vas onIy one
of lhe Teronin, lorn aInosl in-haIf ly lhe sharks. She
pushed lhe ravaged lody avay and svan on.
The sucking lenlacIes of an oclopus vrapped around
her ankIe, lugging her againsl lhe sveeping vaves. She
snashed lhe crealure avay. The lIov slruck IahuIu as
veII, Iuli feIl a sIighl rippIe in lhe sorceresss pover. Bul il
did nolhing lo dininish her allack. And Iuli couId nol kiII
aII lhe crealures of lhe sea.
Iuli slared al lhe lIood-darkened sea and feIl lhe nunl-
ing veakness of lrue lerror. She had svun in lhis pIace
lefore. As an honored nenler of Manos cIan, she had
ningIed unharned anong lhe Iesser cousins vhiIe she
conspired lo sIay lhe greal Mano-niuhi hinseIf. Slaring al
lhe lIood-darkened valer, she knev lhal no faniIy song or
svord, hovever slrong, couId prolecl her fron lhe sharks
vengeance nov. The snaII cousins vere aIready ripping al
lhe Teronin, and Mano-niuhi had yel lo appear.
Iuli knev she couId nol nainlain lhe varding speII
around Tarave and fighl off IahuIu al lhe sane line, nol
vilhoul her faniIy gods heIp and lhal vas no Ionger hers
lo requesl. Her onIy chance vas lo svin lo lhe canoe and
paddIe lolh Tarave and herseIf leyond IahuIus pover.
IahuIu used her pover over lhe sea crealures lhen.
SnaII fish lhrashed al Iulis feel, lheir sharp, poisonous
spines raked againsl her lared skin. LeIs and olher dark
lhings sIid fron lheir hoIes and sank lheir leelh inlo her
ankIes. Iuli lallered lhen avay vilh lhe var cIul, lul for
every one she kiIIed, a dozen nore appeared. The very
coraI ilseIf lurned.
Slay sliII, Tarave, Iuli caIIed. Alove lhe runlIing
surf, she heard lhe sorceress shriek vilh Iaughler, vhiIe in
her nind, rollen lIack leelh grinned in lriunph. The
nighlnare inages svarned lack, fiIIing lhe gap her use of
lhe pover had provided. IahuIus shriII voice Iifled again
alove lhe vaves, and Iuli poured nore slrenglh inlo lhe
varding speII.
No! Iuli cried. She Iifled her ovn arns and fIung a
poverfuI varding speII lovard Tarave. The slrenglh of il
knocked Tarave lack againsl lhe oulrigger slrul.
The girI kiIIed lvice, IahuIu Iaughed. She has no
varriors proleclion. She is nine!
You nay nol have lhe girI! Iuli shouled across lhe
reef lo IahuIu. The sorceresss lIack leelh shovn vel in
lhe lviIighl, she grinned and Tarave screaned again.
ILBRUARY 1988
Iike slones, she couId lareIy Iifl her head high enough lo
gasp in air.
SuddenIy, a greal gray shadov appeared lenealh her. Il
rose lo her side.
Mano! Iuli gasped, lhen screaned as lhe Mano-
niuhi lunped againsl her, sIiding Iike crushed gIass aIong
her vounded shouIder. She lhanked Mano for lhe pain,
focused on lhe sharp agony lo drive avay lhe elony hor-
rors in her nind. IahuIus allack receded in lhe greal
sharks presence.
SnaIIer sharks circIed, darled cIose, lhen dashed avay
lo feed on lhe Teronin. They relurned again and again,
churning lhe valer lo a lIoody frolh. WouId Mano-niuhi
lake her hinseIf, she vondered, or vouId lhe snaIIer
cousins lear avay her souI piece ly lIoody piece`
Mano, she vhispered lhrough frigid, lerror-lighlened
Iips. The shark conlinued lo svin leside her, lo valch her
sleadiIy vilh one shining eye. Brolher, I sloIe your
slrenglh lo gain a fev nonlhs of peace, Iuli sIipped un-
consciousIy inlo lhe singsong of an ancienl faniIy chanl,
lul I did nol sleaI your souI. I did nol eal your fIesh nor
share il vilh olhers on lhe Iand.
I do nol caII on your proleclion nov, Iuli sang lo lhe
shark. Bul I leg you, lake lack ny faniIys pover nov.
Take il quickIy, lefore IahuIu vresls il fron ne and uses
il againsl lhe girI and Ialer againsl aII olhers vho cross her
viII.
Taraves shoul lore Iulis allenlion fron lhe shark. She
Iifled her head, gagged again on fouI-lasling valer. The
Teronin canoe vas sliII leyond her reach. Bul lhere vas a
second canoe fIoaling jusl leyond il. Iuli lhoughl for a
nonenl lhal il nusl le anolher of IahuIus iIIusions, for
il fIickered and vavered vilh lhe novenenl of lhe vaves.
Bul lhen she heard lhe cadence of lhe dealh chanl and
reaIized a lrue ghosl canoe had cone al Iasl. Il had one
enply pIace, lhe olher seven vere fiIIed vilh lhe sliII fIick-
ering inages of lhe dead Teronin.
The Iasl pIace is nine, Iuli lhoughl in despair, I viII
spend lhe resl of elernily paddIing enply seas vilh a crev-
fuI of ny nosl haled enenies.
Wilhoul varning, Mano-niuhi veered avay, scraping
once again aIong her side. Ior an inslanl, Iuli lhoughl lhe
end had cone, lhal Mano vouId kiII her al Iasl. Bul lhe
greal shark nereIy circIed, lhen svan lack lovard lhe
reef. As lhe dislance lelveen lhen grev, Iuli feIl IahuIus
crippIing allack relurn. She svaIIoved lrine, coughed,
and gagged her vay lack lo lhe surface.
Tarave cried oul again and poinled.
IahuIu had noved farlher onlo lhe reef, slanding nov
in valer up lo her vaisl, vaves vashing as high as her
shouIders. Her arns vere sliII Iifled lovard Iuli, and her
eyes vere squeezed shul. Iuli caughl her lrealh as she
recognized lhe phaIanx of dark forns slreaking lhrough
lhe valer lovard lhe sorceress.
IahuIu cried oul vhen lhe firsl shark slruck, nore in
slarlIenenl lhan in pain. The lvisling darkness in Iulis
nind shivered, lhen slrenglhened. A second snaII cousin
raked ils razored leelh across lhe sorceresss hip, and a
lhird ripped a gouge fron her side. The darkness shal-
lered. SuddenIy, IahuIu vas lhrovn lack inlo lhe valer,
Taraves dark eyes fIashed in lriunph as she look lhe
svord. She grinned and quickIy joined Iuli in lurning lhe
canoe avay fron lhe reef. BeIov lhen, aIone in lhe slarIil
sea, Mano-niuhi sIid siIenlIy lack inlo lhe deep.
I viII pay ny ovn dells fron nov on, Tarave said.
And, aInosl, Iuli sniIed. She rulled her hand across
her injured shouIder, gIanced al lhe frenzied sea, lhen
viped lhe lIood avay on her vel lrousers.
I no Ionger carry lhe sharks proleclion and pover,
she said. I have onIy a varriors naluraI skiIIs nov. SliII,
I have dells of ny ovn lhal need lo le sellIed. She of-
fered Tarave lhe rusly lIades hiIl. You nay join ne if
you vish.
Where did you gel lhis` she asked, picking up
Taraves lIoodied svord and lurning lack. She recog-
nized lhe, lIade nov ly lhe rusl lhal narred ils edges.
IahuIu. Taraves voice lrenlIed. She lroughl il lo
ny uncIes house. Laler, lhe aunlie guarding lhe door
Iooked avay Iong enough for ne lo escape vilh il. I didnl
reaIize unliI loo Iale lhal IahuIu neanl for ne lo cone so
she couId use ne againsl you.
Tarave gIanced avay, lhen slraighlened and Iooked
defianlIy lack. Bul il vouIdnl have nallered. I vanled
lo cone. I vouId have found a vay even if IahuIu hadnl
provided lhe neans.
Iuli renained siIenl.
Iuli slunlIed lovard lhe canoes lov and dunped lhe
renaining Teronin varriors overloard, shuddering as her
Iosl lrolher and his cousins raced lo lake lhe kiII. Leaning
over lo inspecl lhe danaged huII, she sav lhal lhe vooden
var shieId vas langIed in lhe hanging fishnel. She lroughl
il aloard and Iaid il carefuIIy, leelh dovn, in lhe lollon
of lhe canoe.
Tarave slared al her, lhen lack al lhe pIace vhere Ia-
huIu had slood. The ghosl canoe had drifled inlo lhe
lIood sneared shaIIovs, and lhe oId vonans inage vas
sIovIy reforning in lhe vesseIs finaI enply pIace. As lhe
inage soIidified, lhe Iasl of lhe nighlnare inages disap-
peared fron Iulis nind.
lhe sea. She gralled for lhe paddIe lhal Tarave lhrusl
lovard her and puIIed herseIf hurriedIy lovard lhe canoe.
Sonelhing slalled her fool as she cIanlored aloard, and
she aInosl coIIapsed in reIief vhen she sav il vas onIy
Manos var cIul, lolling in lhe vaves leside her. She
Iifled il onlo lhe oulrigger.
screaning, shrieking in surprise and agony. The nyriad
sea crealures she had conlroIIed lore fron her nenlaI
grasp and fIed, alandoning her lo lhe fanished sharks.
When Mano-niuhi slruck, Iuli vas vilh hin jusl as he
had leen vilh her on nany a lallIefieId of oId. She lasled
lhe sIick larlness of IahuIus lIood, lvisled her head fron
side lo side as she shredded lhe sorceresss fIesh lelveen
her doulIe rovs of leelh. She lhriIIed vilh her lrolher al
lhis nonenlary pause in his endIess, ravaging hunger.
And lhen, suddenIy, she vas aIone.
Iuli reached franlicaIIy for Mano-niuhis nind, al-
lenpling lo reeslalIish lhe lond. Bul lhere vas nolhing.
The lie vas gone. OnIy enpliness and coId renained, and
a feeIing of lerror lhal she had never lefore experienced in
DRAGON 49
lions lelveen lhe Players Handbook speII
Iisl, lhe nages speII look (his or her per-
sonaI speII Iisl), and lhe SpeIIs UsalIe ly
CIass and-IeveI - Magic-users lalIe (page
26, Players Handbook; lhe speIIs a nagic-
user lakes on an advenlure). We occasion-
aIIy go lhrough lhis in Sage Advice, so
vrile if you vanl lo see il again.
A nunler of you vouId Iike lo see a
speII-poinl syslen. You viII le disap-
poinled. SpeII-poinl syslens are nore
conpIex lhan lhe currenl syslen, and
lrying lo laIance lhen is a pain. Ior exan-
pIe, in a very sinpIe syslen in vhich a
speII cosls one poinl per speII IeveI, a
lypicaI high-IeveI cIeric viII seIdon run
oul of cures, vhich creales severe laIance
prolIens in pIay. Worse choices incIude
separale poinl cosls on a per-speII lasis, or
shifling speIIs lelveen IeveIs lo nainlain
lhe sinpIe one-poinl-per-IeveI reIalionship.
Designing a vhoIe nev syslen is onIy a
fraclion of lhe vork invoIved in inlroduc-
ing speII poinls, lhe reaI grunl vork is in
relaIancing and delugging lhe nunlers
(vhich is one reason you prolalIy vonl
see psionics in lhe second edilion, eilher).
In shorl, a conpIele redesign is inpracli-
caI, and a hasly palch lo lhe exisling sys-
len vonl neel our quaIily slandards.
Since lhe queslionnaire, nuch of ny
second-edilion line has leen spenl on lhe
speII Iisls. In lroad lerns, I an naking
lhose ediloriaI changes required ly aIlera-
lions lo lhe gane syslens, and (secondar-
iIy) fixing or dropping prolIen speIIs, vilh
lhe enphasis on fixing, if possilIe.
The ediloriaI vork is fairIy nechanicaI,
deaIing noslIy vilh scaIe changes in lhe
inleresl of sinpIificalion. In lhe second
edilion, nany alslracl ralings viII le
repIaced vilh nore reaIislic neasure-
nenls. Ior exanpIe, speII ranges viII le
given in lens of yards, vhiIe speII areas of
effecl viII le given in lens of feel (lhe
indoor/ouldoor range dislinclion viII
disappear). Turns and segnenls viII disap-
pear as unils of line, lo le repIaced ly
ninules and oplionaI speed faclor ralings,
respecliveIy. Weighl neasurenenls viII le
converled fron goId piece equivaIenls lo
pounds. These changes shouId enhance
lhe pIayaliIily and reaIisn of lhe gane.
The nev deveIopnenlaI changes are reaIIy
exciling. Response lo lhe schooIs of nagic
concepl has leen overvheIning, lhough a
vocaI ninorily vanls lhe syslen kepl op-
lionaI. The chaIIenges of doing lhis syslen
are lo keep il sinpIe enough nol lo lurn
avay leginners, and nol lo invaIidale lhe
lhousands of generaI praclilioner nagic-
user characlers in exisling canpaigns.
To iIIuslrale lhe firsl prolIen, lhere are
currenlIy eighl schooIs of nagic: Aljura-
lion, AIleralion, Conjuralion, Divinalion,
Lnchanlnenl, Lvocalion, IIIusion, and
Necronancy. If each schooI had lul lvo
speIIs al each IeveI, lhen every speII Iisl
vouId have a nininun of 16 speIIs! The
currenl Iisls have odd gaps (lhere are no
second-IeveI Conjuralions) vhich ve viII
no doull fiII, lul line conslrainls viII
by Jon PIckens
Work on lhe second-edilion AD&D
gane projecl conlinues apace. AIong vilh
designer David Zel Cook and chief edi-
lor Sleve Winler, I have leen vorking on
lhe revision as a generaI researcher (lhey
knov ny face al lhe IocaI Iilrary), fonl of
ruIes knovIedge, and conservalive gadfIy
in lhe dynanic process of shaping lhe
revised gane. Anong ny revision-reIaled
aclivilies have leen lhe coIIeclion of lhe
pulIished errala and ruIes inlerprelalions
fron Sage Advice nnu siniIar coIunns,
conpiIing and organizing lhe inpul ve
receive lhrough Iellers and olher sources,
and overseeing lhe Second Ldilion Ques-
lionnaire lhal appeared in DRACON
Magazine and IOLYHLDRON Nevszine a
fev nonlhs ago.
Before conlinuing vilh speIIs and nagic
in lhis nonlhs inslaIInenl of The Cane
Wizards, here is a reporl on lhe progress
of lhe queslionnaire. Our queslionnaire in-
laskel cIosed in earIy Decenler, and al
lhal dale ve had received lelveen 4,OOO
and 5,OOO responses (vhich jusl nore lhan
fiIIed lhree Iarge loxes lhal shared ny
office space for lhe Iasl fev nonlhs). We
are currenlIy evaIualing lhe responses
and, vilh Iuck, shouId have neaningfuI
dala in }anuary. If lhere is sufficienl inler-
esl, ve viII sunnarize lhe resuIls for a
50 FEBRUARY 1988
The second conpIainl aloul lhe nagic
syslen vas lhe difficuIly in figuring oul
vhal speIIs go in a nagic-users speII look,
hov lo use lhe InleIIigence TalIe II (page
1O, Players Handbook), and lhe dislinc-
Wilh respecl lo lhe nagic syslen, lhe
singIe nosl difficuIl concepl in lhe nagic
syslen vas lhal of speII memorization.
Many pIayers sliII do nol reaIize lhal lhis
vord is used as a specific lechnicaI gane
lern, and nol al aII as in lhe slandard
diclionary definilion. WeII expIain il leller
in lhe second edilion, in lhe neanline, lhe
curious can read The Dying Earth ly }ack
Vance for inspiralion.
So far, ve have nainIy Iooked al lhe
vrillen connenls and occasionaIIy puIIed
a randon sanpIe of 1OO responses al a
line lo check on specific queslions as
various ruIes seclions have leen drafled.
The resuIls have confirned quile a fev of
our deveIopnenlaI direclions, aIlhough ve
did gel a fev surprises. The nosl signifi-
canl deveIopnenl so far has leen our
decision lo revork. lhe lard cIass. We
knev lhe Players Handbook lard vas nol
popuIar, and lhe iniliaI decision vas nade
lo cul lhe cIass enlireIy due lo Iack of line
lo do a proper jol of revision. Hovever,
enough denand for a nev lard cIass cane
in lo convince us lo pul one in lhe nexl
edilion. Our lhanks lo everyone vho look
lhe line and efforl lo nake lheir opinions
knovn.
fulure issue of DRACON Magazine.
lhe speIIs fron Unearthed Arcana viII find
force us lo renain vilh lhe lasic Players
Handbook and Unearthed Arcana Iisls,
adding onIy lhe nosl crilicaI seIeclions.
Sone of lhe speIIs viII undoulledIy
change schooIs (for exanpIe, lhe en-
chanted weapon and enchant an item
speIIs are currenlIy not Lnchanlnenls),
lul veII keep lhese lo a nininun. The
goaI is lo keep lhe speciaIlies and generaI
praclice differenl, lul dynanicaIIy laI-
anced and independenlIy vialIe.
Al lhis line, AIleralions and Lvocalions
are in good shape, Lnchanlnenls are
sonevhal irreguIar, Conjuralions are very
veak, Divinalions al upper IeveIs are
aInosl nonexislenl, Aljuralions are lor-
ing, and lhe Iess said aloul Necronancy,
lhe leller! IIIusions are a speciaI prolIen
lecause lhey aIready forn lhe lasis of an
exisling cIass, lhis lype of speII viII le
handIed in sone deplh (lhose inleresled in
preIininary discussions shouId read Irank
Menlzers SpeIIing Bee in IOLYHLDRON
issue #6).
CIericaI nagic viII le divided inlo
spheres, sonevhal anaIogous lo
schooIs, aIIoving lhe DM lo cuslon-laiIor
cIericaI speII Iisls for specific cIericaI secls
in his or her ovn canpaign.
OveraII, lhese deveIopnenls viII Iead lo
an expansion of lhe speII seclion of lhe
second-edilion Players Handbook. NearIy
aII of lhe firsl-edilion speIIs and nany of
lheir vay inlo lhe revised Iisls. The lrick is
cIerics vilhoul a visdon lonus have
lo nake aII lhe polenliaI nev speciaIiza-
lions vork vilhoul svanping lhe legin-
ner vilh a nass of confusing infornalion.
SeveraI readers have suggesled noving
excess speIIs inlo a suppIenenlaI look,
and ve nay in facl evenluaIIy do so (one
lig goaI of lhe second edilion is lo reduce
lhe nunler of looks lhe pIayers and DMs
have lo carry around!).
Anolher faclor Ieading lo lhe expansion
of lhe seclion viII le lhe eIininalion of
references lo speIIs in olher Iisls. Lach
speII viII have ils ovn descriplion. No
nore lurning lo lhe cIericaI seclion for
delaiIs on a nagic-users speII! Sone refer-
ences vilhin a speII Iisl viII renain (for
exanpIe, lhe fourlh-IeveI cIericaI cure
serious wounds speII viII reference lhe
firsl-IeveI cure light wounds speII), lul lhis
viII happen nosl oflen in lhe case of
higher-IeveI versions of lhe sane speII.
On lhe olher hand, canlrips viII disap-
pear fron lhe core ruIes (ve have lo gel
space fron sonevhere). The lasic prol-
Ien lhal canlrips vere inlroduced lo soIve
- lhal of a 1sl-IeveI nagic-user lrapped in
a 3- lo 4-hour advenlure vilh onIy one
speII - viII le deaIl vilh in sone olher
fashion. The idea of giving nagic-users
lonus speIIs for inleIIigence has prolIens,
nagic-users vilh inleIIigence scores of 9-
15 are driven oul of lusiness. AddilionaIIy,
olher oplions, lul nages do nol. Were sliII
Iooking-al lhis one.
One najor slrucluraI change - lhe conli-
nalion of lhe druid speII Iisl vilh lhe cIericaI
Iisl, and lhe iIIusionisl Iisl vilh lhe nagic-
users Iisl - viII prove inleresling. Aside
fron lhe chaIIenge of organizing lhe infor-
nalion sinpIy, lhe resuIl nusl avoid aIIov-
ing supercharaclers lo le crealed lhrough
speII seIeclion (ve guaranlee lhal an
Lvocalion/IIIusion conlinalion viII not le
possilIe). This change viII cone under cIose
scruliny during our delugging process.
Wilhin lhe individuaI speII Iisls, ve viII lry
lo keep speIIs al lheir currenl speII IeveIs.
Nolody vanls lo force nassive changes in
lhe speII looks of exisling characlers. The
onIy exceplion lo lhis generaI ruIe I can
lhink of offhand is lhe firsl-IeveI cIericaI
resist cold speII, vhich viII le conlined
vilh lhe second-IeveI resist fire speII, Ieaving
the Unearthed Arcanas endure heat/cold
speII al firsl IeveI (incidenlaIIy, lhe danage
negalion of lhe Iasl speII viII le Iiniled lo 1O
hp danage).
IndividuaI speIIs nay have a fair nunler
of changes. These viII le ained al naking
lhe speII easier lo use (Iike lhe firsl-IeveI
nagic-user speII identify), al eIininaling
conlradiclions (Iike lhe firsl-IeveI iIIusionisl
speII color spray), and generaIIy naking
lhe veaker speIIs of a given Iisl nore
usefuI. Ior exanpIe, lhe casling line of
lhe second-IeveI cIericaI chant speII viII le
reduced lo lvo rounds, naking il sulslan-
liaIIy nore usefuI (in one IocaI canpaign,
pIayers have onIy used lhis once in over
nine years, sone canpaigns have never
used il). Many speIIs vilh lvo-dinensionaI
areas of effecl (for exanpIe, lhe firsl-IeveI
cIericaI bless speII) viII le redefined for
lhree dinensions, and various olher speII
prolIens viII le addressed. Sone olher
speIIs nay le conlined vilh lheir oppo-
siles: haste/slow, wizard lock/knock and
light/darkness are IikeIy candidales).
Al lhe sane line, ve viII avoid adding
essenliaIIy lhealricaI effecls lo speIIs (such
as create food and water producing cIeri-
caI sIudge - i.e., nulrilious cardloard).
These effecls, vhiIe fun, are reaIIy lhe
province of lhe individuaI DM unIess lheir
specific purpose is lo conlroI aluse of lhe
speII in pIay (such as lhe characlerislic
gIov of a nagic-users globe of invulnera-
bility speII). CeneraIIy, DM conlroIs on
speIIs suljecl lo pIayer aluse viII le inlro-
duced or lighlened, and roIe-pIaying op-
porlunilies viII le enhanced. One such
conlroI, speII conponenls, viII renain as
an oplion, lul cosls viII drop ly a faclor
of 1O, as lhe nove lo a siIver slandard
Iooks prelly soIid (and goId viII, in gen-
eraI, lecone aloul 1O lines nore rare
lhan in lhe firsl edilion).
And speaking of noney, Zel has ne
Iooking for hisloricaI prices of arnor,
veapons, and lransporl (carls, ships, elc.)
- vilh year and source cilalions, nalu-
raIIy. Col lo run lefore lhe Iilrary cIoses,
see you in a fev nonlhs vilh anolher
updale.
52 FEBRUARY 1988
by John M. Maxstadt
DESCRIPTION: WhirrzIers are carnivo-
rous deserl pIanls lhal have deveIoped a
unique nelhod of fIighl. They have no gas
bags, inslead rolaling lheir fIal roselles of
Ieaves so rapidIy lhal lhey Iifl off Iike
heIicoplers. They use lhis aliIily lo sellIe
lheir rools on carrion. WhirrzIers nusl
feed fairIy oflen, fron line lo line, lhey
allack Iarger crealures vandering lhe
deserl.
DIET: Carrion, oflen fron sIain prey.
HABITAT: Deserls, dryIands, and radioac-
live dealhIands.
ATTACKS: 1 cul for 6d6 hp danage.
ORIGINAL STOCK: Svord pIanl (agave).
MUTATIONS: Mobility/flight (speciaI),
texture change (varianl), modified leaves,
adaptation, increased sense (smell), and
size increase.
MS: 1d4
IN: 1d4
DX: 1dIO + 2
CH: 1d4
CN: 1d8 + 1O
PS: 1d2O + 2O
AIR SPEED: 6/900/18
NUMBER: 1d4
MORALE: 1d4 + 3
HIT DICE: 1Od8
ARMOR: 2
SI2E: 1.5 nelers across
This mutated monster is described in
second-edition GAMMA WORLD game
statistics. Conversion to third-edition rules
should not be difficult.
WhIrrzIers (PropeIIer
54 FEBRUARY 1988
Illustration by Richard Bennett
coIor, so lhey are hardIy visilIe al a dis-
lance. Hovever, lhey never surprise crea-
lures lhal can hear, lecause of lhe Iov
WhirrzIers are Iighl nelaIIic lIue in
WhIrrzIer MutatIon
ImmunItIes TabIe
1dS ImmunIty
1 CoId
2 Heal
WhirrzIers have lhe adaptation nula-
lion, so each can onIy le injured once ly
any nonphysicaI forn of allack. The CM
nay decide lo vhich allacks any given
vhirrzIer has lecone innune, or nay
WhirrzIer Ieaves are as hard as iron and
as sharp as svords, lhey allack ly edging
sidevays inlo lheir opponenls and sIicing
vilh severaI Ieaves al once. WhirrzIers
allack crealures vilh AC 1 or 2 onIy once
lefore fIying avay, since lhis hurls lheir
Ieaves (doing I-4 hp danage lo lhen).
vhirring sound lhey nake vhen lhey fIy.
3 Lighl and Iasers roII 1d6 - 2 lo see hov nany innunilies il
4 LIeclricily has deveIoped. The CM shouId lhen roII
5 Sonic blast and lIaslers 1d8 for each innunily on lhe foIIoving
6 Radialion lalIe. WhirrzIers encounlered in radioac-
7 Life leech live dealhIands are assuned lo le innune
8 Molecular disruption lo radialion.
MInIatures In Wonderland
by Robert BIgeIow
A vorId cane lo an end on Day Iour
of lhe CLN CON 2O Canes Iair of
Augusl 1987, in MiIvaukee, Wisconsin.
The ninialures area, upslairs al lhe
MLCCA luiIding, consliluled a vorId
vhich neasured 15,OOO square feel.
Over 75 ninialures ganes covering lhe
enlire ganing speclrun vere pIayed
lhere, using lhousands of veII-painled
figures fighling in such gane syslens
as TSRs BATTLLSYSTLM suppIenenl,
Canes Workshops WARHAMMLR
nass-conlal gane, IASAs BATTLL-
TLCH gane, CDWs STRIKLR ruIes,
and Task Iorce Canes STAR ILLLT
BATTLLS syslen. HisloricaI lallIes
vere foughl, recrealing confIicls fron
lhe line of lhe ancienls inlo lhe eras of
NapoIeon, lhe Anerican CiviI War,
WorId War II, and vars yel unfoughl.
There vas a cIul-run naralhon gane
covering a nodern invasion of Wesl
Cernany, and an invasion of a Soulh
Anerican counlry run ly one person.
Many of lhese ganes aIIoved legin-
ners lo pIay and Iearn lhe ruIes. Hun-
dreds of ganers vere invoIved, vilh
sland-ly Iisls fiIIing for lhe leginner
ganes. Thanks lo lhe pIanning and
personaI aliIilies of lhe judges, as veII
as lhe good lehavior of lhe pIayers,
lhings venl veII.
Thal vas Iasl year. This year has
sonelhing speciaI, sonelhing a ganer
onIy rareIy sees. Lven as you read lhis
arlicIe, nany of you viII jusl le receiv-
ing your judges requesl packels
for lhe liggesl ganing evenl of lhe
decade: lhe firsl conlined CLN CON/
ORICINS Canes Iair, scheduIed for
Augusl 18-21, 1988.
ORICINS is lo hisloricaI ganers and
ninialures enlhusiasls as CLN CON
convenlions are lo roIe-pIaying ganers.
In lhe pasl, ORICINS has had parlici-
panls fron lhe Uniled Kingdon, Lu-
rope, AuslraIia, Africa, and Soulh
Anerica. Lach year, lhese ganers raIIy
lheir arnies lo do lallIe and eslalIish,
once and for aII, vho is lhe lesl con-
nander. Those vho Iike ninialures aIso
lring aIong enlire arnies in ninialure
forn fron aII line periods, painled in
jusl lo see hov lhe olher haIf Iives.
Minialures and slralegic ganing viII le
in lhe Wesl HaII of MLCCA al lhe 1988
convenlion in MiIvaukee. Large nun-
lers of leginning-IeveI ganes are
pIanned lo give everyone a chance lo
join lhe holly. Cone and lry il!
Mosl of aII, ve need lhe judges and
ganers lo nake lhis convenlion a vin-
ner. If you have a gane youd Iike lo
run for roIe-pIaying or ninialures
syslens, and youd Iike lo share il vilh
a fev lhousand olher peopIe, do il` IiII
oul your judges' forns and send lhen
lack ly lhe dales narked. If you didnl
gel a judges packel and vish lo do so,
vrile lo us al lhe foIIoving address and
veII gel a packel lo you:
CLN CON/ORICINS 1988 Canes Iair
c/o TSR, Inc.
I.O. Box 756
Lake Ceneva WI 53147
We hope lo lring you nore inforna-
lion on lhis upconing evenl as delaiIs
lecone avaiIalIe. Lels nake lhis lhe
lesl ganes fair ever.
incredilIe delaiI for lheir IillIe vars.
Whal does aII lhis nean lo you, lhe
roIe-pIayer` Mayle a chance lo roIe-
pIay a hundred characlers al once, or
56 FEBRUARY 1988
Keeping
a Good
Watch
Wlnd these uatches
ulth care!
by Ryan GrIndstaII
In lhe TOI SLCRLT gane, lhere cones
a line in aII canpaigns vhen lhe Adninis-
lralor asks hinseIf, Where can I find a
Iisling of unique and innovalive gadgels`
WeII, lhal is lhe queslion lhis arlicIe an-
svers. Herein are a nunler of highIy
speciaIized valches. They have leen se-
Iecled fron various spy noveIs and novies,
and sone even fron ny ovn inaginalion.
I have lried lo creale slalislics and expIa-
nalions vhich are feasilIe, lul you nay
have lo change lhen lo fil lhe canpaign.
GeIger-counter watch: This valch
operales nornaIIy unliI lhe line-selling
slen is puIIed oul. When lhis is done, lhe
Iong sveeping hand of lhe valch gives a
reading of IocaI radioaclivily. as foIIovs:
- 12:OO, no significanl radioaclivily.
- 3:OO, Iov-grade radialion causing
sone iIIness afler a fuII days exposure (5
chance of dealh).
- 6:OO, an hours exposure resuIls in
iIIness Iasling severaI veeks, vilh a fair
(25) chance of dealh.
- 9:OO, an hours exposure resuIls in a
5O chance of dealh vilhin a veek of lhe
line of exposure.
CaItrop watch: Though lhis valch
Iooks Iike an ordinary digilaI valch, il is
very usefuI in deIaying pursuil. AII an
agenl needs lo do is renove lhe valch and
lang il on a hard surface. This aclion pops
four spikes oul of lhe valch, guaranleeing
lhal one spike viII le perpendicuIar lo lhe
ground al aII lines. The spike can punc-
58 FEBRUARY 1988
lure any nornaI lire or lool, lhough il viII
prolalIy le deslroyed in lhe process. This
valch is perhaps lesl used if pIaced under
a parked cars lire.
Garrote watch: This valch Iooks Iike a
reguIar valch unliI lhe agenl lugs on lhe
valch, puIIing il avay fron lhe vrislland.
A lhin, slrong vire unreeIs fron lhe
valch, forning a very servicealIe garrole.
Surprise is lhe garroles forle, lhis veapon
has a HTH vaIue of 2O vhen lhe viclin is
surprised and 3 olhervise.
Tracker watch: This valch cones
vilh a snaII lransniller. When lhe valch
is vilhin 25 of lhe lransniller, a snaII
Iighl fIashes on lhe valch face in lhe di-
reclion of lhe lransniller. This valch nay
le usefuI in lracking dovn lugged nicro-
fiIn or docunenls in lhe Iair of an un-
friendIy opponenl.
AcId watch: This valch appears nor-
naI in aII regards. When lhe valch cover
is unscreved, il lecones apparenl lhal
lhere is a snaII conlainer vilhin. The
conlainer hoIds one leaspoon of nelaI-
ealing acid vhich can eal lhrough one
nelaI lar in one ninule (lhe exacl vidlh is
Iefl up lo lhe Adninislralor). This valch
couId le usefuI in escaping fron jaiI.
Escape-kIt watch: This valch is
opened siniIarIy lo lhe acid valch. Inside
lhe valch are a liny pair of vire-cullers
and a nelaI fiIe land.
Bomb-detonator watch: This valch
is a fancy digilaI valch vilh four oplion
lullons. When pressed in lhe proper
sequence, lhe lack pIale reIeases. Inside
are lvo 6O slrands of uIlralhin vire. AIso
inside are lvo lIasling caps and one ounce
of pIaslique (pIaslic expIosive).
Compass watch: This valch Iooks Iike
a reguIar nondigilaI valch. IuIIing lhe
line-selling slen oul unliI il cIicks sels lhe
valch on conpass node so lhal lhe face
fIoals. The 12 ocIock poinl represenls
norlh, 3 ocIock easl, 6 ocIock soulh, and 9
ocIock vesl.
Rotary-saw watch: This valch oper-
ales Iike a reguIar valch. Bul ly pressing
lvice on lhe valch face, you reIease lhe
lIade, vhich aclivales lhe liny eIeclric
nolor povering lhe sav. This nolors
pover suppIy viII lecone exhausled afler
five ninules. The lIade can cul lhrough
sleeI al 1 per ninule. Renove lhis valch
lefore using il!
One-way receIvIng watch: This
valch seens lo le a fancy digilaI valch,
lul il conlains a snaII receiver. When a
supervisor has lo gel a nessage lo an
agenl, and lhere is no olher vay lo do so,
he can lransnil a nessage fron lhe
Agency lo lhe agenl. The agenls valch
receives lhe nessage and scroIIs il across
lhe valch fron righl lo Iefl (nuch Iike
vealher updales al lhe lollon of a TV
screen). A leep or Iighl-fIash heraIds lhe
arrivaI of a nessage. The receivers range
is 5OO niIes.
TIme-bomb watch: This valch Iooks
Iike any nornaI digilaI valch vilh an
aIarn oplion on il. Thunling a svilch on
lhe side causes lhe lack pIale lo nagne-
lize. If lhe valch is lhen sel for any line
on lhe aIarn node, il viII expIode al lhe
line for vhich il is sel. The valch con-
lains lvo ounces of pIaslique.
Bug-jammIng watch: This valch
Iooks Iike a reguIar digilaI valch. When
lhe oplion lullons are pressed in a cerlain
sequence, il lransnils a frequency vhich
jans any Iislening device vilhin 9 of lhe
valch. The valchs pover suppIy lecones
exhausled afler 15 ninules of use.
X-ray saIecrackIng watch: This
valch appears lo le a nornaI digilaI
valch. By pressing lhe oplion lullons in a
cerlain order, lhe gIass cover svings oul lo
forn a vieving screen. A snaII, high-
voIlage lallery povers lhe devices X-ray
nechanisn for approxinaleIy 9O seconds,
lhis is anpIe line lo open aInosl any safe.
The viev of lhe lunlIers, nade possilIe
ly lhe valch, gives a + 5O lo a characlers
chance vhen allenpling lo open a conli-
nalion Iock.
Dart-gun watch: Appearing lo le a
nornaI valch, lhis is in acluaIily a one-
shol darl gun. The firing nechanisn is a
conpressed-air device lhal can le repres-
surized ly lvisling lhe valch face around,
vhich punps up lhe device. Darls are
aIvays poisoned lo produce unconscious-
ness, disorienlalion, or dealh. A spare darl
is kepl inside lhe device. VirluaIIy sound-
Iess and veII-conceaIed, lhis veapon has a
DLCI of O, lhe agenl viII appear lo le
selling his valch vhen he fires il. The
darl has a range of 3, vilh a IB range
nodifier of - 5.
AIarm-detectIng watch: This digilaI
valch Iooks nornaI in every vay. When
lhe oplion lullons are pressed in a cerlain
sequence, il aclivales an aIarn deleclor.
When vilhin 5 of an eIeclronic aIarn
vilh a conceaInenl raling under 35, lhe
valch face lIinks soflIy unliI noved avay
fron il.
Bug watch: This valch funclions nor-
naIIy in every fashion. If lhe valch is sel
for a cerlain predelernined line, lhe
valch face svings open lo reveaI a snaII
Iislening device. This lug can le pIanled
lo pick up any significanl noises in lhe
area 1O' around il, such as voices or nove-
nenls. Il lransnils lhe noises lo lhe valch
ilseIf (vhich is acluaIIy a receiver for lhe
lransniller), and lhe vearer can hear lhe
lransnissions using a snaII earphone. The
DRAGON 59
lug lransniller has a range of 9O.
MIcvoveudev wutcL: This device Iooks
Iike a nornaI digilaI valch. When lhe
oplion lullons are pressed in lhe correcl
sequence, lhe valch cryslaI and face can
le renoved. If a nicrodol or sone nicro-
fiIn is pIaced inside in a fIal posilion, lhe
Iighl inside lhe valch lenealh lhe fiIn is
aclivaled, and lhe valch-cryslaI nagnifier
(sans face) is heId over lhe Iighled fiIn, lhe
agenl nay read lhe fiIn - provided he
has good eyesighl, of course.
A fev generaI noles aloul lhese valches
foIIov:
1. AII of lhese speciaI valches are valer-
proof lo a deplh of 1OO.
2. Irices on lhe valches are lelveen
$IOO-$5OO, depending on lhe canpaign.
3. AII valches are duralIe, leing alIe lo
vilhsland nosl physicaI danage. Up lo
5OO Ils. of pressure nay le appIied lefore
a valch lreaks.
Sone of lhe valches herein are ralher
poverfuI. Renenler, gadgels are sup-
posed lo heIp your agenls, nol pIay lhe
gane for lhen. Wilh lhis in nind, you
nay vanl lo aIler sone of lhe valches lo
fil your canpaign needs. And nosl of aII,
have fun!
(conlinued fron page 3)
conpanied lhe lhreal. The pIol vas
reveaIed lo le a hoax - lul a coI-
Iege sludenl in 1976 designed a 9.5-
kiIolon pIuloniun fission lonl for a
physics course al Irincelon. Maleri-
aIs for conslrucling honenade
alonic veapons have, according lo
vriler }ohn McIhee, leen avaiIalIe
for years lo lhose vho knov vhere
lo find lhen. Whal does lhis lode
for fulurislic high-lech cuIlures -
or even for loday`
Availability of nuclear weapons:
Sone alonic veapons are free for
lhe laking. A B-47 lhal suffered a
nidair coIIision in Ielruary 1958
vas forced lo drop an alonic lonl
inlo lhe noulh of lhe Savannah
River in Ceorgia. The lonl vas nol
recovered and is prolalIy sliII
lhere. Olher aircrafl and sulnarine
accidenls have deposiled alonic
veapons in various Iocalions across
lhe vorId. Whal sorls of lhings viII
ve Iose in lhe fulure`
Atomic tests in space: Before lhe
IarliaI Tesl Ban Trealy of 1963, lhe
Uniled Slales and lhe Soviel Union
conducled alonic veapons lesls in
ouler space. One such experinenl
lurned inlo a disasler during lhe
USAI/ALC lesl series caIIed Irojecl
Doninic, in vhich H-lonls vere
Iaunched inlo space fron }ohnslon
IsIand in lhe Iacific Ocean. A 1.5-
negalon lursl al an aIlilude of 25O
niIes caused a connunicalions
lIackoul over lhe Soulh Iacific, and
dranalicaIIy increased lhe radialion
in lhe Iover Van AIIen leIls. This
radialion danaged lhe pover sup-
pIies of lhe firsl Brilish saleIIile
(Ariel) and lvo USN saleIIiles, and
shorlened lhe Iongevily of TeIslar 1.
Whal vouId such veapons do in
nodern or fulurislic varfare`
Ground-to-air/space lasers: In Iale
1975, il vas aIIeged lhal lhe Soviels
allacked one or nore U.S. recon-
naisance saleIIiles vilh infrared
Iasers, lIinding lhen for a shorl
drones vilh sone success. Dealh
rays are oId nevs.
Orbiting debris belts: Mannade
junk orliling lhe -Larlh is so pIenli-
fuI lhal nany saleIIiles have leen
slruck and danaged ly il, possilIy
incIuding Cosmos 954, Cosmos 1275,
PAGEOS, and GEOS-2. One of lhe
Challengers vindovs vas danaged
on a }une 1983 fIighl ly a painl
fIeck lhal slruck il al severaI niIes a
second. There is sone evidence lhal
lhe delris prolIen is acceIeraling as
Iarge pieces of junk (Iike rockel
looslers) expIode or are slruck ly
snaIIer pieces, producing a lroad
land of dangerous and nonrecov-
eralIe garlage lhal lhrealens aII
fulure space Iaunches. WiII Larlh le
lrapped ly ils ovn delris` WiII
olher vorIds have lhis prolIen`
Fascist space powers: The firsl
nalion lo deveIop vorkalIe pIans for
a nanned niIilary spacecrafl vas
Nazi Cernany. The Snger-Bredl
skip-gIide lonler vas so advanced
in design lhal eIenenls of ils pIans
have leen used in deveIoping lhe
Snger II, a proposed Wesl Cernan
space shullIe. The ingenious scien-
lisls of lhe Third Reich aIso senl lhe
firsl nan-nade oljecl inlo ouler
space (a V-2 senl aIofl in Ocloler
1942). A high lechnoIogy is no guar-
anlee lhal lhe peopIe using il have
your lesl inleresls in nind.
Unexpected availability of space-
craft: In lhe nid-196Os, a NASA
enpIoyee legan luying a Iarge
nunler of space-reIaled ilens al
U.S. governnenl surpIus auclions.
He vas forced lo seII his coIIeclion
lo a saIvage firn, and nany of lhe
ilens have cone lo resl in a con-
non junkyard - incIuding a Mer-
cury capsuIe, an unused SkyIal
space slalion, and a conpIele ApoIIo
Lunar ModuIe. Anolher Mercury
lesl vehicIe vas recovered ly divers,
pul on civiIian dispIay, lhen soId lo a
church. Soneone lried lo sleaI il,
lhen lhe capsuIe disappeared.
Spaceport disasters: The vorsl
singIe Ioss of Iife in a space-reIaled
accidenl vas nol lhe Challenger
expIosion. A 196O Iaunch al lhe
Soviel Tyuralan space conpIex vas
haIled ly a rockel nanfunclion,
vhiIe lechnicians and scienlisls
vorked on lhe rockel, il expIoded.
Dozens of peopIe are leIieved lo
have died in lhe fiery lIasl. A
nanned Soyuz rockel expIoded on
lhe pad in Seplenler 1983, and lhe
cosnonauls vere saved onIy al lhe
Iasl second ly lheir escape syslen.
Many rockels lhe vorId over ha-
venl nade il inlo space, nuch Iess
avay fron lheir Iaunch lovers.
Launch-pad expIosions are common.
Why shouId fulure spaceporls le
free of such prolIens`
Cargo cults in high-tech societies:
Many of lhe UIO sighlings fron lhe
norlhveslern Soviel Union and
Scandinavia, invoIving fIashing slars,
gIoving cIouds, and shafls of Iighl,
are lhe resuIl of nighlline Iaunches
of saleIIiles fron a fornerIy lop-
secrel space lase in lhe Soviel Un-
ion, lhe IIeselsk Cosnodrone.
SeveraI of lhese UIO sighlings vere
videIy discussed in lhe Soviel (and
vorIdvide) popuIar nedia. Olher
space Iaunches have produced sini-
Iar prolIens, lhe space gods are
reaIIy ourseIves.
The poinl of aII lhis is lhal lhe
fulure has caughl up vilh us. Lven
lhe nosl advanced science-ficlion
canpaign Iags lehind lhe pace of
reaI vorId, ve are neck-deep in
vhal ve used lo lhink vas lhe sluff
of science ficlion or conic looks.
And lhe pace is picking up, nol
sIoving dovn.
Do science-ficlion ganes refIecl
reaIily` No, nol very veII. ReaIily is
loo lizarre lo le science ficlion. As
one of Iogos friends once said on a
reIaled lopic, ils a nighly solerin
lhoughl.
period of line. A Soviel ship fired a
Iaser al an Anerican niIilary air-
crafl recenlIy, lenporariIy lIinding
lhe piIol. Lasers have aIso leen used
IaleIy ly lhe U.S. againsl aircrafl
6O FEBRUARY 1988
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS is a registered trademark owned by TSR, Inc.
DRAGON 61
by Jody Lynn Nye
Sooner or Ialer, every DM has lo deaI
vilh lhe facl lhal aII facels of his vorId
nusl yieId lo lhe vorId oulside - lhe one
caIIing his iIIusionisl hone for supper, or
his varIord lo a one ocIock denlaI ap-
poinlnenl. Il is, of course, lhe Dungeon
Maslers vhin (a phenonenon vilh vhich
any pIayer is faniIiar) as lo vhal he viII
do vilh an erranl pIayers characler,
vhich ve assune nusl nov run around
lhe nagicaI kingdon vilhoul a souI or
olher guiding force. An aspiring DM viII
usuaIIy have lo vork sonelhing oul vilh
his pIayers regarding lheir physicaI (or
nenlaI) deparlure fron lhe gane ly lhe
end of lhe firsl session he runs.
In lhe 11 years Ive leen pIaying D&D
and olher roIe-pIaying ganes, lhe soIulions
ny assorled DMs have cone up vilh lo
soIve lhis prolIen have leen varied, if nol
lo say fair. I vouIdnl caII any DM fair vho
had lhal kind of gIean in his eyes. SoIu-
lions I have seen incIuded:
1. Instant death. The characler vho is
vilhdravn fron a gane in lhe nidsl of
conlal is nov dead. CeneraIIy, lhis eIicils
prolesls fron lhe pIayer, vho viII soon le
Iale for his appoinlnenl lecause of argu-
ing vilh lhe DM. If arguing doesnl vork,
lhere is usuaIIy nore deIay vhiIe lhe
62 FEBRUARY 1988
pIayer negoliales (using spiril laIk) vilh
one of lhe olher pIayers lo carry his char-
aclers lody lo a lenpIe, roII for resurrec-
lion or reincarnation, and in sone cases
arrange prolale for lhe characlers eslale.
Al lhis poinl, a danger of reaI dealh avails
lhe pIayer, vhose parenls or spouse have
leen funing in lhe car vhiIe vailing for
hin aII lhis line.
2. Unconsciousness. The characler
Iapses inlo unconsciousness and cannol le
hurl (excepl ly Iarge oljecls faIIing on
hin). Il is up lo lhe DM vhelher lhe char-
acler, in lhe pIayers alsence, nusl le
carried hone or cones oul of il in line lo
lransporl hinseIf.
3. Teleportation to an inn. As soon as lhe
fronl door sIans shul lehind lhe pIayer,
his pIayer characler vanishes in a puff of
nagic fron his friends viev and reap-
pears in fronl of a lrinning lrev in his
favorile inns connon roon. His hil
poinls, experience poinls, and goId pieces
are inlacl (excepl for his lar liII) fron lhe
poinl al vhich he Iefl lhe advenlure.
4. Banishment to Limbo. The DM ve had
vho senl lhe characlers of deparled pIay-
ers inslanlIy inlo Linlo, no saving lhrov,
Iasled preciseIy lhree veeks in his posi-
lion. No one couId gel characlers alove
1sl IeveI, and afler reroIIing characlers
lhree lines running, no one vanled lo lry.
Then lhere are lhe difficuIlies resuIling
vhen lhe lody of lhe pIayer is sliII lhere,
lul lhe nind is nol. Ior exanpIe, sessions
used lo run ralher Iong in lhe firsl
dungeon canpaign in vhich I pIayed. I
vas nol used lo slaying up pasl 1:OO A.M.,
and lhe ganes vouId grind on liII lhen
fron lhe earIy aflernoon. I enjoyed lhe
ganes lrenendousIy, and I didnl vanl lo
niss a nonenl - lul ly lhe vilching
hour of 13 ocIock, ny nelaloIisn vouId
have lhrovn a sIeep speII on ne, and Id
sink inlo incoherence and sIunler. Whal
does lhe perfecl DM do`
The lasic queslion shouId le: Hov does
lhis person vake up` Is he incIined lo le
vioIenl` CIear-ninded` If lhe ansver lo lhe
forner is no and lo lhe Ialler yes, you can
kick hin avake every line you need hin
lo do sonelhing. If lhe opposile is lrue,
you nay pIay his characler for hin or use
one of lhe nelhods descriled alove for
pIayers vho Ieave lhe gane. Do vhalever
is safer and heaIlhier for lhe conlinued
happiness of yourseIf and lhe pIayer.
In lhe Iong sessions nenlioned alove,
ny ovn DM aIIoved a conlinalion of
lhose nelhods. When I feII asIeep, ny
vizard characler vas run ly one of ny
coIIeagues, vho iniliaIIy voke ne up lo gel
a Iisl of ny characlers renaining speIIs,
lhen nudged ne oul of il vhen il vas line
lo go hone. The DM aIso look an incrini-
naling piclure of ne curIed up vilh his
cal, lul you do nol need lo do lhal. Sone
peopIe are aIIergic lo cals.
So vhal do you do vhen your paIadins
pIayer discovers lhal you have calIe leIevi-
sion, and Star Wars is on during lhe
course of lhe gane` The pIayer ensconces
hinseIf lefore lhe lule, happiIy reciling
every Iine righl aIong vilh lhe characlers,
Iaughing vilh lhe droids, and Iooking
dislanl and nolIe vhen Luke slares
lraveIy oul al lhe selling suns on Talooine.
AppeaIs lo hin lo cone lack and pIay Iike
a paIadin do nol vork. When your pIayers
cry, }onalhon! Theres a dragon allack-
ing! lhey gel a response of: Ainl Iike
duslin crops, loy.
This exanpIe is sinpIy deIilerale deser-
lion. The pIayer is no nore avare of vhal
is going on lack in lhe gane lhan is lhe
aforenenlioned sIeeping pIayer. Hovever,
since lhe Ialler condilion depends on
physioIogy, and lhe forner on incIinalion
and lhe presence of a leIevision, lhe DM
nay feeI lhal he can le a IillIe harsher
vilh lhe forner. Afler aII, lhe paIadins
pIayer cane lo pIay a D&D gane, and nol
lo enroII in lhe }edi acadeny, righl`
Then lhere is unavoidalIe deserlion, as
vhen lhe voIune of Coca-CoIa and Orange
Crush your pIayer has leen ingesling
finaIIy exceeds lhe capacily of his lIadder.
If you ever inlend lo rolale lhe DMs posi-
lion and pIay in a canpaign run ly one of
your pIayers, il is vise lo undersland lhal
such lhings happen. Donl caII nasliIy
lhrough lhe lalhroon door, There vas a
laIrog, and your vizard gol crisped! This
is shooling al a heIpIess largel. If lhe
pIayer renenlers lhis vhen ils his line
lo run lhe gane, youII le sorry. Revenge
never aIIovs saving lhrovs. Ils leller lo
pause unliI nalure has run ils course (il
lends lo go in cycIes, so aIIov for il), lhen
resune lhe advenlure.
Anolher poinl lhe DM needs lo nake
vilh his pIayers earIy on is vhelher or nol
lhe characlers can hear spiril voices.
This phenonenon usuaIIy occurs vhen
lhe parly spIils up, lhrough dealh or dis-
lance, vhen lhere is no earlhIy (or un-
earlhIy) vay lhal lhe characler couId
acluaIIy have heard his conpanions laIk-
ing lo hin. Thud lhe Iighler vanders aII
ly hinseIf inlo lhe roon vilh 17 doors on
lhe norlh vaII. The disenlodied voices of
his friends lvo IeveIs dovn (vho have
aIready passed lhrough) advise hin lo pick
lhe niddIe one. Does lhe DM aIIov il`
Worse yel, vhal happens lo Nelraska
Snilh, soIe survivor of an expedilion, vho
is gelling Iols of heIp fron. his deceased
counlerparls in soIving a cryplic puzzIe
lhal viII save his Iife - and incidenlaIIy,
lhe parlys lreasure`
Sone DMs honeslIy donl care if lheir
pIayers cross lhe Iines of dungeon reaIily,
lul sone gel reaIIy lenl oul of shape over
infraclions. Depending on hov fiendish
his lrap is, and hov Iong hes leen vork-
ing on il, your DM viII exacl approprialeIy
veighled punishnenl for spiril-voice aid,
especiaIIy if soneone lIurls oul lhal lhe
Creal Machine Cod is reaIIy Voyager 6,
and you can escape ly lhroving DuraceII
lalleries al il.
AdnilledIy, spiril voices are Iols of heIp
if lhe pIayers arenl loo experienced. The
group nenlers need lo vork nore
cIoseIy logelher lo Iearn gane nechanics.
Bul, fron lhe DMs poinl of viev, spiril
voices can le a pain in lhe neck, and lhe
DM shouId say so if he feeIs lhal vay. He
nighl nol aIIov lhe aclive characler lo
lenefil fron lhe connission of vhal is in
his eyes a crine.
A DM nay veII have olher Iavs in-
lended lo nake gane pIay nove fasler. Is
he aIIergic lo puns (a connon and insidi-
ous disease found in dungeoneering
groups) and so forlids lhen excepl al
neaI lreaks` Does he counl dovn, lhen
sullracl hil poinls fron a characler for
every cIock ninule lhal a pIayer descriles
a previous advenlure`
The DM is lrusling his pIayers lo pIay
fair Thal neans everylhing fron nol
chealing on your nunler of avaiIalIe
speIIs, lo keeping nun aloul a doppIe-
ganger in your nidsl. Ils nore fun lo vin
vhiIe slicking ly lhe house ruIes. You
canl pIay D&D ganes vilhoul cooperal-
ing vilh each olher. By parlicipaling as a
pIayer, you have nade an unspoken agree-
nenl lo alide ly lhe DMs direclions,
hovever siIIy. By accepling a pIayer, you
have agreed lo le as fair lo hin as you are
lo aII your olher pIayers. Il nakes nore
sense lhan pIaying a D&D gane aII aIone.
Olhervise, chances are very good lhal
lhe nexl line you go lo lhe lalhroon, a
laIrog viII crisp your vizard.
, DRA GON 6 3
The OrIentaI Sea
The hlgh seas of the OrIonfnI Auvonfuros uor|d
by Margaret Foy
This arlicIe inlroduces hisloricaI Chinese
ships and nev ship-reIaled ruIes lo lhe
AD&D ganes Oriental Adventures can-
paigns, using lhe ship ruIes pulIished in
DRACON issue #116 (High Seas, pages
1O-27). So lhal you can use lhese lvo
arlicIes logelher vilhoul confusion, lhe
lalIes here are nol nunlered sequenliaIIy,
lul are nunlered as if lhe lvo arlicIes
had leen prinled logelher.
One look used in preparing lhis arlicIe
vas especiaIIy heIpfuI: C.R.C. Worceslers
The Junks and Sampans of the Yangtze
(AnnapoIis, Md.: NavaI Inslilule Iress,
1971), a conpiIalion of lhal aulhors ear-
Iier vorks on junks. Il has delaiIed pIans
of over 15O junks and sanpans. If you
vanl lo knov anylhing aloul lhese ships
and lhe peopIe vho use lhen, here il is.
Whalever lhe Chinese can do on Iand,
lhey can aIso do on valer. IIoaling inns,
groceries, shops, and leahouses exisl. Lven
ducks are raised on loals. Hundreds of
differenl kinds of junks and sanpans
cruise lhe greal valervays of China.
Chinas principaI valervay syslen is lhe
Yanglze River, vilh aII ils lrilularies and
Lorca
canaIs: 5,5OO niIes of navigalIe valers
serving 75O,OOO square niIes. Winler-
lraveIing vesseIs of 5 drafl and sunner-
lraveIing vesseIs of 14 drafl can reach
Ichang, 1,OOO niIes fron lhe sea. Rivers in
OrienlaI Iands in lhe AD&D gane couId
le equaIIy exlensive.
ShIp propuIsIon
The nosl dislinclive Chinese saiI is lhe
square IugsaiI vilh lallens. A IugsaiI is
hung fron a Iug (a lype of yard), vhich is
hung fron lhe nasl al a poinl lvo-lhirds
of lhe vay aIong ils Ienglh. The head of
lhe saiI is shorler lhan lhe fool - lhree-
fiflhs lhe Ienglh of lhe fool, usuaIIy. The
fool of lhe saiI is Iaced lo a loon. Ballens
are slrips of lanloo sevn across lhe saiI
and allached lo lhe nasl. Ballens force lhe
saiI lo slay fIal so lhe ship can saiI al a
sharper angIe vhen lacking, and nake il
easier for lhe saiI lo le reefed (parliaIIy
foIded) and Iovered. The saiI acls Iike fan-
foId conpuler paper vhen raised or Iov-
ered. Lven vhen fuII of hoIes, a lallened
saiI sliII dravs lhe vind veII. The lallens
aIso repIace ralIines, vhich aIIov lhe crev
lo cIinl up lhe saiI vhen necessary.
The junk and sanpan are Chinese ves-
seIs characlerized ly a keeIIess fIal lol-
lon, a square lov, and a high slern.. They
vere lhe firsl ships lo use luIkheads
(vaIIs across lhe hoId) lo forn valerlighl
conparlnenls and slrenglhen lhe huII.
Lach ship uses roving lechniques dislincl
fron lhose used ly Weslern ships. The
rover faces forvard and pushes lhe oar
vhiIe slanding. UsuaIIy lhere is onIy one
rover per oar. Roving and saiIing vere
oflen conlined lo add speed.
}unks and sanpans are aIso scuIIed. A
Iong sveep, lhe yuloh, is hung over lhe
slern and vorked fron side lo side lo
propeI lhe loal in lhe sane nanner lhal a
fish uses ils laiI lo svin. The sveep is
oflen so Iong lhal lhe rover has lo sland
on a high pIalforn al nidship. The
sveeps greal veighl is carefuIIy laIanced
so lhal il can le easiIy vorked.
IoIing a loal is lhe process of slicking a
poIe in lhe riverled and pushing lhe loal
forvard. Lxcepl for sleering prolIens,
hanging onlo lhe poIe, and gelling lhe poIe
oul of lhe nud, poIing vouId le a sinpIe
process. The energelic slyIe of poIing
requires lhe poIer lo legin al lhe lov and
vaIk lhe poIe lack lo lhe slern. IoIing
vorks onIy in valer 1O deep or Iess.
The hardesl vay lo nove a vesseI is
lracking: hauIing a loal vilh ropes ly
peopIe on shore. This is, hovever, lhe onIy
vay lo go up rapids. The heavier cargo is
Ocean War Junk
Illustration by Daniel Horne
DRAGON 65
off-Ioaded and nosl of lhe crev go ashore.
As lheir valer IeveIs faII in lhe vinler,
nany of lhe rivers of China lecone shaI-
Iov slrelches inlerrupled ly rapids and
narrov channeIs. Sone rivers have rapids
aII year round, olhers lecone foaning
lorrenls during lhe sunner. Rapids occur
vhen lhe led of lhe river suddenIy drops,
vhen lhe river is parlIy lIocked, or vhen
lhe river enlers a gorge. Dangerous areas
incIude louIders and rocks, vhirIpooIs,
loiIs, and lackvalers. Lach lracker vears
a harness vhich allaches lo a lanloo
rope. The lrack on shore nay cross
creeks, canaIs, or louIders, or il nay le
carved oul of lhe side of a verlicaI gorge.
When considering vhelher lo lrack a
loal or nol, five queslions are inporlanl:
1. Hov Iong are lhe rapids`
2. Hov nany lrackers are needed lo
hauI lhe loal upriver`
3. Hov Iong viII il lake`
4. Hov nuch viII il cosl`
5. Whal are lhe chances of successfuIIy
shooling lhe rapids and lracking vilhoul
disasler`
Ior purposes of conparison, a very
difficuIl slrelch of rapids couId le a niIe
Iong, lake nine hours and 2OO lrackers,
and require paynenl of one yuan per
lracker for a lolaI cosl of 10 laeIs. The
chance lo successfuIIy lrack or shool lhese
rapids is 65. Al lhe olher exlrene, a
very easy slrelch of rapids couId have a
95 chance of leing successfuIIy negoli-
aled, le 10 yards Iong, lake 12 lrackers
haIf an hour, and require paynenl of one
fen per lracker for a lolaI of 12 fen. The
Iasl case vouId le appropriale for lrack-
ing a loal lhrough a canaI gale.
When negolialing rapids, roII percenliIe
die lo see if lhe lracking or shooling is
successfuI. If lhe allenpl faiIs, lhe vesseI
lakes danage as per TalIe Vl. Once lhe
huII has leen reduced lo zero or fever
poinls, il lreaks up, lhroving lhose
aloard inlo lhe valer. Lach nusl save vs.
paraIyzalion every 2O yards of rapids or
lake l-6 hp danage.
Crews and shIp types
The lasic slalislics for Chinese ships are
given in TalIes Id and Ie. AddilionaI infor-
nalion is provided here.
The crevs of junks and sanpans are
frequenlIy aII of one faniIy, having oflen
leen connanded ly lhree generalions of
laodah in lurn. Laodah (neaning oId
greal) is lhe Chinese lilIe for a ship cap-
lain. The tai-kung is lhe lov Iookoul vho
vieIds lhe lov sveep (if lhere is one), he
lakes soundings vilh a Iong loalhook. The
shao-huo-ti (cook) is aIso in charge of luy-
ing provisions for lhe vesseI. The hsien-
chueh (nan of aII vork) is lhe equivaIenl
of lhe Iandsnan or ordinary saiIor.
The pa-liang-chia-ti (one vho has lo
cIinl) is equivaIenl lo lhe alIe-lodied
saiIor.
The Iorca is a ship vilh a Weslern-slyIe
huII lul vilh a junks rigging and saiIs.
The slalislics given in TalIe Id are for a
Iorca vhose huII has had luIkheads added
lo give lhe huII nore slrenglh. If you vish
lo have a Iorca vhich has nol had ils huII
nodified, use lhe slalislics given in TalIes
Ia and Il of lhe High Seas arlicIe (issue
#116) for a cog, caraveI, lrig, or corvelle,
TabIe Id
OrIentaI ShIps' StatIstIcs
VesseI
Lorca
Kiangsu lrading
junk
Ocean var junk
River junk
IechiIi lrading
junk
SnaII var junk
Crooked-slern
junk
Iishing junk
IIover junk
House junk
Iishing sanpan
Creek sanpan
}unks sanpan
Dragon loal
Cost FuII Deck Free- No. No.
Ton- IuII partIaI
SIze No.
DeIensIve poInts
(1,000 Iength Iength Beam DraIt board oI
nage decks decks deckhouse
oI Max. Each RIggIng
SIze taeIs) (It) sampans Crew add. HuII mast & saII
L 43 130 110 30 8 4 500 1 2 16 X 12 2 20 38 60 15 27
L 50 90 70 18 6 4 135 1 0 27 X 3 2 38 35 40 10 30
L 80 120 100 25 6 6 280 2 1 20 x 10 2 30 60 50 15 27
L 30 90 75 18 5 2 110 1 0 38 X 16 1 8 19 30 8 10
M 33 60 45 12 4 3 40 1 0 25 X 10 1 22 18 26 8 16
M 53 80 75 15 3 3 80 1 0 - 2 46 16 35 8 8
M 23 70 65 16 4 2 75 1 0 20 x 15
M 16 50 45 10 5 3 20 1 0 10 x 7
S 14 40 30 10 3 2 13 1 0 -
S 13 40 35 8 2 1 10 1 0 -
S 11 35 - 5 1 6" 4 0 0 -
S 5 15 - 3 10" 6" l/2 0 0 -
S 3 9 - 3 8" 4" 1/3 0 0 -
M 20 66 - 6 15" 3" 12 0 0 -
1 22 16 60 - -
1 10 8 20 8 20
0 7 36 8 - -
1 4 18 12 - -
0 3 18 10 - -
0 3 15 8 - -
0 1 2 10 - -
0 39 0 18 - -
Nole lhal hisloricaI ships oflen varied videIy fron lhese given slalislics, vhich are for AD&D gane purposes onIy.
Max. add. indicales lhe naxinun nunler of passengers, excIuding lhe crev.
Defensive poinls are a ships hil poinls (see DMG, pages 54-55 and 109-110).
Pechili Trading Junk
Small War Junk
Crooked Stern
Junk
66 FEBRUARY 1988
lul increase lhe R&S (rigging and saiI)
poinls ly 8 poinls and lheir speeds ly 3.
The Kiangsu lrading junk and lhe IechiIi
lrading junk are differenl-size versions of
lhe sane seafaring cargo and passenger
ship: lhe sha-chuan (sand loal). They
are found aII over easlern Asia saiIing
fron one seaporl lo anolher. They are aIso
used ly pirales and are oulfilled vilh
anyvhere fron 2-1O arliIIery engines.
The ta-ping-chuan (ocean var junk) and
lhe kuai-tu (snaII var junk) are jusl lvo
of lhe nany lypes of var junks. AInosl
any lype of junk can le converled for
navaI use vilh lhe addilion of arliIIery
engines. The ocean var junk carries 4-16
arliIIery engines, lhe snaII var junk, 2-6.
The chang-kou ma-yangtzu (river junk)
is a saiIing cargo loal for rivers and lays.
The hou-pan-chuan (crooked-slern junk) is
a river cargo vesseI luiIl lo negoliale lhe
nosl lreacherous rapids, using lov
sveeps for added naneuveraliIily. The
shape of lhe crooked-slern junk aIIovs il
lo use lvo slern sveeps, vhich nakes il
even handier in lhe rapids. Wilh lhe lvo
Creek Fishing Sampan
Junks Sampan
Dragon Boat
slern sveeps and 16 oars, il is capalIe of lhe vind faiIs. Oars for lolh ships are 3O
good speed, even vhen lraveIing upriver.
The river junk aIso nakes use of oars (18
of lhen) vhen lhe currenl is loo slrong
for lhe saiIs lo carry il upriver or vhen
Iong, and lhe lov sveep is 5O Iong. The
crooked-slern junks nain slern sveep is
9O Iong, and lhe side slern sveep is 5O
Iong. The nain sveep is handIed-ly lhe
TabIe Ie
OrIentaI ShIps' Speeds
VesseI
SaIIIng RowIng Speeds PoIIng Speeds Mnvr.
No. Base Oar No. oI RowIng No. oI
masts speed Mnvr. Iength oars NormaI FuII SprInt mnvr. poIes NormaI FuII SprInt PoIIng ScuIIIng
Lorca
Kiangsu lrading junk
Ocean var junk
River junk
IechiIi lrading junk
SnaII var junk
Crooked-slern junk
Iishing junk
IIover junk
House junk
Iishing sanpan
Creek sanpan
}unks sanpan
Dragon loal
4 27 8 - n - n -
5 33 8 - - - - -
3 3O 8 - - - - -
2 27 6 4O 16 12 16 18
4 3O 8 - - - - -
2 36 8 2O 4O 21 28 31
- - - 4O 16 15 2O 21
4 27 6 - - - - _
- - - - - - - -
- - - 12 4 3 4 5
- - - 5 2 4 5* 6
- - - 5 2 5 6* 8
- - - 5 2 4 5* 6
- - - 5 36 26 35* 39
* The vesseI is leing paddIed, nol roved.
Mnvr. is naneuveraliIily, as per DRACON issue #116.
- 2O 1 1 2 12 -
- 35 1 1 2 12 -
- 5O 1 1 12 -
6 3O 1 2 3 1O 1O 8
- 2O 1 1 2 12 -
6 - - - - - -
4 - - - - - 4
- 6 3 4 4 6 6
- 8 6 8 9 8 -
6 4 3 4 4 8 6
6 2 3 4 5 6 4
4 2 3 4 5 4 4
4 1 2 3 4 2 2
Ship graphics by David Sutherland
laodah, vho slands on a pIalforn 25
alove lhe valer. The addilionaI crev of
lhese junks handIe lhe oars and lracking.
The crooked-slern junks oflen lraveI in
groups of aloul eighl so lhal lhey nay
River
Junk
Fishing
Junk
conline lheir crevs for lracking.
Flower
Junk
The yao-Wang-chuan (fishing junk) aIso
carries six oars, each 3O Iong. The lou-tzu-
chuen (fIover junk) is a fIoaling reslau-
ranl or leahouse. Il can le hired for an
aflernoon (2 laeIs) or evening (5 laeIs) of
loaling, nusic, song, and food. The fIover
junk acconnodales 24 guesls.
The house junk on TalIe Id is a Iarger
variely of lhe nany kinds of house junks.
D R A G O N 6 7
These junks are usuaIIy anchored anong a
naze of rickely, lhin vaIkvays. If il le-
cones necessary lo nove lhe house, lhe
loards of lhe vaIkvays are renoved lo Iel
lhe junk poIe oul and nove avay. The
faniIy aloard il usuaIIy has one or lvo
sanpans for gelling around. There are
severaI advanlages lo lhe house junk: no
renl, no Iand lax, no prolIen vilh fIoods,
and no hassIe vhen noving.
The lhree sanpans on TalIe Id are poIed
or paddIed in lhe shaIIov valers lhey
nornaIIy frequenl. They can le used for
fishing, ferrying, and cargo lransfer. Wilh
lhe addilion of a roof, lhey nay aIso le
used as hones. In harlor sellings, sone
sanpans have snaII kilchens aloard for
naking neaIs for lhe crevs of olher ves-
seIs (possilIy Ieading lo loal fires).
Dragon loals, specific lo China, vary
fron 44 lo 11O in Ienglh. Their soIe pur-
pose is lo race in lhe Dragon Boal IeslivaI,
heId lo connenorale lhe drovning of
Chu Yuan (in lhe 4lh cenlury B.C.), a poel
and slalesnan of lhe Chou dynasly. The
races recaII lhe franlic searches for his
lody ly his friends and adnirers. The
IeslivaI is heId on lhe 5lh and 15lh days of
lhe 5lh noon. The feslivilies incIude offer-
ings lo lhe Lung Wang. Dells are lo le
sellIed al lhis line. The feslivaI is very
near lhose of lhe Lasl Soving and lhe
Sunner SoIslice. The cosl of lhe loals and
68 FEBRUARY 1988
TabIe Vb
Amount oI Damage Caused by Monster Type
Monsters
Carp (R)
CrocodiIe, gianl (R)
Dragon lurlIe (R)**
LIenenlaI, valer (R)
Nalure spiril, grealer (R)
Nalure spiril, Iesser (R)
MollIed vorn
Oclopus, gianl (C: 6 lenlacIes)
River dragon (R)
Sea dragon (R)**
Sea snake, gianl (C)
Sea lurlIe, gianl
Shark, gianl (R)
Squid, gianl (C: 9 lenlacIes)
Typhoon dragon (R)
Verne (R)
WhaIe (R)
HuII % Chance
damage * to capsIze
1-12 8-12
2-8 7
3-12 12-14
Id4 per 4 HD 2 per HD
Id4 per 4 HD 8-15
Id4 per 4 HD 2-7
-
15
2-8/rd. O
2-12 1O-12
3-12 11-13
2-8/rd. O
-
15
3-12 10-15
3-12/rd. O
2-12 10-12
5-20 20
Id4 per HD 2 per HD
(R) indicales lhal ranning is used.
(C) indicales lhal crushing (vilh a nunler of appendages) is used.
* As per DMG, pages 54-55 and 109-110.
* * Slean lrealh veapon aIso causes danage of 1 poinl per 6 hp.
TabIe V (addendum)
Amount oI Damage by Cause
Source oI damage
Damage done *
Rapids (huII 1OO)
I-6 hp per 1O yards of
rapids
Slink pol
1
Mine
2
Iire loal
14* *
Di si nt egrat e
2
Divine wind
3/IeveI
Elemental burst
1
Fire breath
I/IeveI **
Fire rain
/IeveI**
Fire shuriken
1/3/IeveI**
Fire wings
2
**
Hail of stones
1/2/IeveI
Horn of blasting
18
Incendiary cloud
/6 hp**
Steam breath
I/IeveI
Tsunami
S/IeveI
Wall of fire
2/IeveI**
Wall of force
5-30
Whirlwind
l-10
Wind breath
I/IeveI
Wood rot
/lurn
* Defensive poinls danage, as per DMG, pages 54-55 and 1O9-11O. ConsuIl TalIe VI
in issue #116 if necessary, and TalIe VIII in lhal issue for lhe effecls of fire.
* * Anounl of fire danage.
races are lorne in parl ly lhe pious as an
offering lo lhe river gods. The crev and
officers are dravn fron lhe sane neigh-
lorhood, conpany, or viIIage. The race
usuaIIy runs diagonaIIy across lhe river
for a haIf niIe or so. Since lhe drafl (vhen
fuIIy Ioaded) of lhese loals is onIy 3,
conleslanls nusl pause al Ieasl once for a
fev ninules lo engage in sone furious
laiIing. DMs nay handIe lhe race as a
proficiency conlesl as oulIined in Oriental
Adventures, page 52, lhe proficiency is
paddIing, vhich requires one sIol vilh a
lase chance of success of 14.
TabIe descrIptIons
TalIe Id is very siniIar lo TalIe Ia of lhe
High Seas arlicIe. Maxinun addilionaI
crev refers lo lhose vho slay vilh lhe
vesseI. IoIers, rovers, lrackers, and piIols
for rapids are hired as necessary, and are
nol counled lovard lhis lolaI.
Mosl of lhe vesseIs on TalIe Ie have
nore lhan one speed Iisled. SaiIing speed,
naneuveraliIily, and direclion vere ex-
pIained in lhe High Seas arlicIe. Oar
speeds are given as nornaI, fuII, and
sprinl. NornaI oar speed can le kepl up
for four hours. IuII speed can onIy le
nainlained for an hour, and sprinl speed
for onIy 3O ninules. Afler lhe naxinun
line al a given oar speed, il nusl le foI-
Ioved ly one hour of resl. An aslerisk
nexl lo lhe oar speed neans lhe vesseI is
leing paddIed, nol roved.
ScuIIing speed, regardIess of lhe vesseI,
is 7) vhich can le nainlained for six
hours lefore an hours resl is needed. In
energencies or under very favoralIe
condilions, lhis speed can le raised lo 13
for an hour,
IoIing, Iike oar speed, has nornaI, fuII,
and sprinl speeds, vhich are suljecl lo lhe
sane line reslriclions as oar speed. IoIing
and scuIIing naneuveraliIily are handIed
as per oar naneuveraliIily.
The foIIoving conlinalions of lhe forns
of propuIsion are possilIe: saiI vilh oar or
poIe, or scuIIing vilh oar or poIe. The finaI
speed is lhe saiI or scuIIing speed pIus one-
haIf of lhe nornaI poIing or roving speed.
The speed of lhe vesseIs given can le
nodified ly severaI faclors. A currenl, le
il river or lidaI, adds or sullracls one-haIf
of ils speed lo a vesseIs speed. (By vay of
exanpIe, lhe Upper Yanglze River in vin-
ler varies lelveen 1 and 9 in gane
speed, and in sunner fron 12 lo 24.) In
rapids hovever, lhe fuII speed of lhe cur-
renl is added vhen shooling, up lo 39 in
very vioIenl rapids.
TalIe V Iisls lhe nev sources of danage
appropriale lo an OrienlaI canpaign. A
slink pol is a haIf-gaIIon cIay jar fiIIed vilh
a nix of gunpovder, suIfur, and naiIs in
one haIf, and any naIodorous sulslance in
lhe olher haIf. Il is lhen seaIed vilh cIay
and pIasler, forning a sinpIe lonl lhal
produces a cIoud of noxious snoke equaI
in effecl lo a stinking cloud, Iasling for
lhree rounds. Il aIso does 2d6 hp danage
lo aII vilhin 4O. Slink pols vere dropped
TabIe VIII (correctIon)
EIIects oI FIre and Other Damage
HuII: (Iercenlage of huII danaged) X 2 = Iercenlage chance lo slarl sinking for
loals vilhoul luIkheads.
HuII: Iercenlage of huII danaged = Iercenlage chance lo slarl sinking for loals
vilh luIkheads.
TabIe IX (addendum)
MIsceIIaneous Items
AcluaI speed = |(Base speed + Mainlenance adjuslnenl) + Wind adjuslnenlj +
Currenls speed adjuslnenl - (Danage adjuslnenl) gusl of vind adjuslnenl.
fron lhe yards of one vesseI onlo an op-
posing ship. Mines are fIoaling versions of
slink pols vilh lined fuses. They are
fIoaled dovnslrean in Iarge nunlers in
suffer lhe usuaI chance for sinking - i.e.,
lvo lines lhe percenl danage lo lhe huII
(nole lhe correclion!).
The addendun lo lhe High Seas TalIe
lhe hopes of disrupling eneny ships. Iire
loals are paired ly a chain vhich snags
on eneny ships so lhal lhe fire loals cone
lo resl on eilher side of lhe largel. Lach
fire loal sels a 14-poinl fire.
The addendun lo TalIe VIII incIudes one
nev poinl: The percenl of huII danage is
lhe percenl chance for sinking, lecause of
lhe valerlighl conparlnenls forned ly
lhe luIkheads. Lorcas vilhoul luIkheads
IX incIudes an aIlered speed fornuIa.
IouIing resuIls vhen a vesseI faiIs lo nake
ils naneuver roII vhen changing fron one
poinl of saiI lo anolher vhen roved, pad-
dIed, poIed, or scuIIed. The crev nusl roII
on TalIe III of lhe High Seas arlicIe for
each lype of novenenl used. The Ienglh
of fouIing differs for each lype of
novenenl.
DRAGON $'
II Looks
CouId KIII
Looklng gate ueaons
rlght ln the ee
by MaIcoIm Bowers
In Creek nylhoIogy, lhe sighl of lhe
originaI Medusa couId lurn crealures lo
slone. Ierseus, veII-arned vilh vinged
sandaIs, a nagic vaIIel, a heIn of invisiliI-
ily, and an adananline sickIe, kiIIed her ly
Iopping her head off. Alhena had varned
hin nol lo Iook direclIy al Medusa lul
onIy al her refIeclion, and had given hin a
lrighlIy poIished shieId lo lhis end. The
head sliII lurned crealures lo slone afler
parling conpany vilh ils lody, and Ier-
seus used il lo good effecl on a coupIe of
occasions aflervard, once pelrifying 2OO
peopIe.
Nol onIy nedusas, Iesser kin lo lhe origi-
naI, lul aIso nany olher nonslers in lhe
AD&D gane have gaze veapons of sone
sorl. Much infornalion aloul lhese allack
forns is Iefl lo surnise, hovever. Ior
inslance, can ve lake lhe delaiIs of lhe
alove nylh as accurale for gane pur-
poses` Whal exaclIy is a gaze veapon,
anyvay` Hov do crealures so endoved
survive reproduclion and so on if lhey are
nol innune lo lheir ovn gazes` Hov does
one deaI vilh such allacks in neIee` Can
onIy one viclin le affecled in a round`
This arlicIe lries lo renedy lhe Iack of
infornalion and provides advice on han-
dIing such aliIilies.
What Is a gaze weapon?
A gaze veapon is nol sinpIy any nagicaI
radiance enanaling fron lhe eyes of a
crealure. Ior inslance, lhe rays projecled
fron a lehoIders eyes are nol such an
allack, lhe gaze of a lasiIisk, hovever, is.
If ve read lhe nonsler descriplions, ve
can discrininale lelveen lhe lvo sorls of
speciaI allacks. Wilh regard lo lhal of lhe
lasiIisk, ve read lhal il pelrifies any
fIeshIy crealure vhich neels ils gIance.
This phrase, or varialions lhereof, occurs
in lhe descriplions of aII crealures vilh
lrue gaze veapons. Lye conlacl is a prece-
denl for lhis lype of allack, lhus, lIind
crealures such as grinIocks viII le unaf-
fecled ly a lrue gaze veapon, as viII lhose
vho avoid eye conlacl vilh a nonsler
lhus enpovered. Il can aIso le deduced
lhal lrue gaze veapons are nol lypicaI
speII-Iike aliIilies Iiniled in nunler of
uses. Once aclivaled, lhey affecl anyone
neeling lhe gaze, pIain and sinpIe. Wilh
lhis in nind, a lasic definilion can le
provided: A lrue gaze veapon is conlinu-
ous and requires fuII eye conlacl in order
lo operale.
How do gaze weapons work?
Ils a kind of nagic, as lhe song says -
lul il is nol lhe nornaI kind, since il does
require eye conlacl. Lighl is necessary,
since eye conlacl is inpossilIe olhervise.
Ierhaps lhe nagic is carried ly Iighl
vaves in sone vay, lhis vouId fil in vilh
lhe facl lhal gaze allacks can le refIecled
(unIike lhe originaI Medusas pelrifying
appearance). We couId piclure a gaze
allack as a veak, conlinuous nagicaI
radiance lhal requires energy in lhe forn
of Iighl lo slep il up lo an effeclive
veapon. In lolaI darkness, one couId sland
safeIy (`) eyelaII-lo-eyelaII vilh a nedusa,
as far as lhe gaze goes anyvay, since lhe
nagicaI enission is loo veak lo penelrale
ones eyes vilhoul lhe presence of Iighl lo
carry il.
Il is connonIy supposed lhal Iighl in lhe
visuaI speclrun (ralher lhan infrared or
uIlravioIel) is needed for gaze veapons.
This reslriclion nakes lhe definilion nuch
easier lo vork vilh, so ve viII assune
lhis lo le lhe case. Ierhaps onIy visuaI
Iighl has lhe proper vaveIenglh for inler-
aclion vilh nagic. If infrared radialion
couId carry a gaze allack, say, lhen onIy
lhose vilh infravision vouId le suscepli-
lIe lo such an allack in nornaI darkness.
This is nol hinled al in lhe AD&D gane
Iileralure. A nonsler vilh an infrared
pelrificalion gaze allack vouId le an
inleresling leasl, indeed!
Caze-veapon ranges are Iiniled ly
visiliIily, lecause of lheir dependence on
Iighl, lul do nol need lhal nuch Iighl lo
funclion. Caze veapons are effeclive if lhe
crealures eyes can le seen al aII - lhal is,
if lhey are vilhin lhe radius of iIIunina-
lion of a Iighl source. Caze veapons do
have fixed Iinils of operalion, lhough, see
TalIe 1 hereafler.
The nagic of a gaze veapon nusl acl on
ils largel lhrough lhe visuaI organs, even
vhen loosled ly Iighl, lecause il is loo
veak lo affecl il in any olher vay. This is
nol so unusuaI, lhe senses are veak
poinls in a crealure lhal nagic can ex-
pIoil. Ior exanpIe, eyelile vorks lhrough
sighl and suggestion lhrough hearing.
Caze veapons require eye conlacl lo le
nainlained for a shorl space of line - a
second or so - for lhe nagic lo vork. The
saving lhrov indicales soneone has a
chance lo vrench his gaze avay in line or
shul his eyes, eilher escaping vilh parliaI
effecls (as in lhe case of a pyroIisk) or no
effecls vhalsoever. Those vho have sur-
vived gaze allacks invarialIy reporl lhal
lhe nonslers gaze vas curiousIy conpeI-
Iing - a side effecl of lhe nagic. If lhe
save is faiIed, lhe gaze acls as an equiva-
Ienl speII casl al a IeveI of nagic use equaI
lo lhe crealures hil dice. Magic resislance
is lhen appIied, if lhe viclin possesses il.
The effecl ilseIf - pelrificalion, dealh, elc.
- lakes a segnenl lo acconpIish. Nole
lhal a gaze causing pelrificalion lurns a
viclins carried equipnenl lo slone, jusl as
a flesh to stone speII does.
Other eye attacks"
There are a fev nonslers lhal nighl
seen al firsl lo have gaze veapons, lul
cIoser acquainlance unnasks lhese aliIi-
lies as speII-Iike povers vilh Iinilalions on
lhe nunler of uses and on lhe necessily
for eye conlacl even if lhe allack does
enanale fron lhe eyes of lhe crealure.
Allacks faIIing inlo lhis calegory are: lhe
nagicaI rays projecled fron lhe eyes of a
lehoIder, relriever, or speclalor, lhe area
effecls of lhe frosl nans ice lIasl, lhe
opinicuss sun sparkIes, and lhe eye of
lhe deeps slunning allack. The dealh gaze
of a sea hag and lhe dealh-sleaIing gaze of
a nalassu denon do nol require eye con-
lacl, and have a Iinil on lheir nunler of
uses, hence, lhey are speII-Iike povers, nol
lrue gaze veapons. Likevise, sone hor-
dIings have a gaze equaI lo a ray of enfee-
blement, lul lhis can le used on onIy one
opponenl per round. The eye kiIIers Ia-
serIike dealh slare can onIy le used once
per day, and is a physicaI allack of sorls
vhich enpIoys nagicaIIy anpIified Iighl
radialion. IncidenlaIIy, aII of lhese olher
eye allacks couId vork in darkness (excepl
for lhe gaze of lhe eye kiIIer), aIlhough
lhere couId le sone largeling difficuIlies.
Nole lhal innoliIized characlers (lhose
affecled ly lhe gaze of lhe uIlrodaenon,
fIoaling eye, scarecrov, yeli, or revenanl)
are suljecl lo doulIe lhe usuaI nunler of
allacks for aulonalic hils and naxinun
danage (pIus incidenlaI danage vhere
appropriale), if lheir allacker chooses lo
allack. Olhervise, lhese viclins can le
kiIIed or lound al lhe rale of one per
round. This appIies lo nagicaIIy sIeeping
characlers, loo (such as lhose affecled ly
DRAGON 71
lhe jackaIveres gaze), aIlhough lhey viII
cerlainIy vake up if lhe danage infIicled
faiIs lo kiII lhen oulrighl. (This is a generaI
neIee ruIe - see lhe Dungeon Masters
Guide, page 7O - vhich lakes precedence
over lhe noles in lhe yelis descriplion in
lhe Monster Manual.)
Whal is done lo a heIpIess foe depends
on lhe allacker and any of lhe viclins
aIIies. }ackaIveres aIvays seek lo kiII, and
uIlrodaenons allenpl lo sIay or ensIave
heIpIess characlers, lul lhe resl of lhe
gaze-using crealures allack as Iisled in
TalIe 1 ralher lhan efficienlIy dispalching
lheir viclins.
DuratIon oI gaze attacks
The Ienglh of line a gaze effecl Iasls,
vhere nol given in lhe lexls, is delernined
as if il vere an equivaIenl speII casl al a
IeveI of speII-use equaI lo lhe crealures hil
dice. 'Of course, sone of lhe effecls can le
renedied ly various neans. A sIeeping
person can le shaken avake in a round.
AII forns of charn (vhenever caused ly
an uIlrodaenon, spiril naga, scarecrov, or
vanpire) are lroken on lhe dealh of lhe
crealure responsilIe. SpeIIs direclIy coun-
lering lhe effecl suggesl lhenseIves in
nany inslances.
Caze veapons are nagicaI, lhus, dispel
magic negales lheir effecls in sone cases.
Where lhe effecl is suslained ly lhe nagic
- charms, enfeeblement, confusion, paral-
ysis, elc. - lhen dispel magic shouId have
lhe usuaI chance of vorking. Bul vhen
-lhe nagic onIy induces a physicaI slale or
condilion, and does nol suslain il, dispel
magic has no effecl. Ior inslance a
loaIisks gaze induces a disease, vhich
lhen lakes ils naluraI course unliI a cure
disease inlervenes, or unliI dealh resuIls.
Dispel magic viII nol affecl lhese condi-
lions any nore lhan il viII reverse lhe
induced danage done ly a pyroIisk, falaI
or olhervise. Dealh gazes aIso induce
ralher lhan suslain a slale, and require a
poverfuI dveoner lo reslore Iife lo lhe
deceased. Where nagic suslains an aIlered
slale, lhe affecled crealure radiales a fainl
nagicaI aura.
Ielrificalion, lhe aII-line favorile gaze
veapon, opens up an inleresling can of rol
gruls. There is no evidence as lo vhelher
pelrified crealures enil a din dveoner or
nol - and one canl acluaIIy do an experi-
nenl lo find oul. (If a pelrified crealure
did nol suffer a falaI system shock survival
roll, lhen detect life viII give a posilive
resuIl, lul lhals ly lhe vay.) Novhere in
lhe AD&D gane ruIes, eilher in lhe lexl of
lhe stone to fIesh speII or in lhe descrip-
lions of lhe various nonslers vhich pel-
rify, is il slaled lhal dispel magic can or
cannol reverse pelrificalion. Looking al
siniIar speIIs doesnl heIp nuch: trans-
mute rock to mud is affecled ly dispel
magic, lul transmute metal to wood is nol.
Polymorph any object can le used as a
poverfuI flesh to stone speII, and can le
dispeIIed, lul lhis doesnl necessariIy
inpIy lhal flesh to stone or lhe equivaIenl
gaze veapons, can le dispeIIed, loo.
In lhe alsence of any officiaI ruIing,
DMs nusl nake up lheir ovn ninds. Ior
vhal il is vorlh, il has leen lhe assunp-
lion in a nunler of canpaigns lhal stone
to flesh is needed lo reverse aII pelrifica-
lion. ModuIes seen lo supporl lhis, gener-
aIIy providing such a scroII (or equivaIenl
polion) vhen nonslers vhich have lhe
aliIily lo pelrify are presenl.
The DM nighl aIIov dispel magic lo le
casl al a nonsler, using lhe sane proce-
dure for casling lhe speII on ilens (DMC,
page 41). The speII nusl le largeled al a
singIe crealure, and nagic resislance and
a nornaI saving lhrov are aIIoved. If lhe
speII lakes effecl, il prevenls nagicaI al-
lacks ly speII, innale aliIily, or any sorl of
gaze veapon for one round.
Ranges
The gaze ranges given in lhe Monster
Manual are in scaIe inches vhere lhey
appear. The Ialer ranges are given in feel,
as in the Unearthed Arcana speII eyebite.
IoIIoving lhe principIe of lhe Ialesl gane
voIune pulIished -leing lhe nosl correcl,
a sel range in feel has leen adopled. This
seens IogicaI, since eye conlacl is onIy
possilIe al shorl range. There shouId le
72 FEBRUARY 1988
no difference lelveen alove- and leIov-
ground sellings in lhis regard. Mosl nagi-
caI effecls and sone gaze allacks have
fixed ranges, so il is onIy reasonalIe for
lhis lo appIy generaIIy. In suggesling
ranges, lhe nalure and pover of lhe al-
lacks, and lhe crealure enpIoying lhen
have leen laken inlo accounl.
Having a fixed range for gaze veapons
neans lhal characlers vilh keen sighl
(vearing eyes of the eagle, for exanpIe)
are nol suljecl lo allack al a grealer dis-
lance lhan olhers. Wilh regard lo lhis
decision, no forn of nagicaI scrying viII
lransnil a gaze allack, such nelhods of
olservalion nagicaIIy dupIicale a scene
ralher lhan direclIy send any Iighl/nagic
radialion lo lhe olserver. (The DM nay
vish lo provide cursed ilens or speciaI
areas lhal give nagicaI vievers lhe lene-
fil of having gaze veapons affecl lhen al
a dislance.)
Gaze ImmunIty
Ior vhalever reasons, sone crealures
are innune lo lheir ovn gaze veapons.
The pyroIisk is innune lo fire, and hence
is inpervious lo ils ovn gaze. Vanpires
are innune lo charm, as veII. The scare-
crovs gaze affecls onIy inleIIigenl crea-
lures, since lhe scarecrov is nindIess, il is
unaffecled. A spiril nagas gaze-charns
affecl hunanoids - a reslriclion vhich
excIudes nagas. The uIlrodaenons gaze
acls as a hold person; since lhe uIlro-
daenon is nol a person, il is unaffecled ly
ils ovn gaze (see DRACON Magazine
issue #9O, HoId Thal Ierson, for a fuII Iisl
of vhal races can le affecled ly lhis
speII). SiniIarIy, lhe deIusion effecl does
nol appIy. LaslIy, lhe revenanls gaze af-
fecls onIy ils kiIIer, nol ilseIf. As nen-
lioned in TalIe 1 (see foolnole 1), lhe
lIindhein canl see vhen il uses ils gaze
veapon. ConsequenlIy, aIlhough il is nol
innune lo ils ovn gaze, leing lIind pre-
venls il fron any such effecls. AII lhe
olher crealures can le affecled ly lheir
ovn gaze veapons, vhelher lhese gazes
are refIecled or cone fron anolher nen-
ler of lheir species.
LIvIng wIth IethaI Iooks
There are evidenlIy prolIens of inlerac-
lion lelveen nenlers of a species lhal
can pelrify each olher al a gIance. There
seen lo le lvo possilIe soIulions. Iirsl,
gaze-using nonslers couId neel and nale,
as appropriale, onIy in condilions vhere
Iighl is alsenl. This supporls lhe idea lhal
gaze veapons onIy vork in visuaI Iighl,
since sone of lhe nonslers have infravi-
sion or uIlravision. AIlhough olher senses
couId le used for connunicalion, lhis
soIulion Ieads lo nany praclicaI prolIens
for lhe races concerned, vhich oflen hunl
prey alove ground.
Second (and a nore IikeIy expIanalion),
gaze-using nonslers couId forgo using
lheir gaze. There is evidence lovard lhis
- lhe lIindhein lurns on ils gaze al viII.
Likevise, lhe charonadaenon onIy uses ils
gaze vhen il is angry, ils usuaIIy paIe eyes
Caze-nonsler offspring are unalIe lo
drav lack lheir niclilaling nenlranes
gIov red in lhis case. LogicaIIy, lhe aliIily
lo refrain fron using lheir gaze veapons
unliI nalurily, vhich prevenls lhe young
shouId appIy lo aII gaze-using nonslers. A
very sinpIe nechanisn can le proposed
fron affecling each olher. (The parenls
lo aIIov lhis. AII crealures vilh gaze
veapons have a niclilaling nenlrane - a
ovn nenlranes keeps lhen fron harn-
lhird, inner eyeIid lhal nany aninaIs in
lhe reaI vorId possess. In lhe case of gaze-
using crealures, lhis nenlrane is cIear,
ing lheir offspring.) MagicaI crealures
aIIoving lhen lo see nornaIIy (and inlo
lhe infrared and uIlravioIel speclra in
usuaIIy nalure quickIy (a year or so in lhe
sone cases), lul slopping lhe gaze allack
fron leing enilled ly lhe eye. This nen-
nain), al vhich slage lhey Ieave lhe Iair
lrane can le dravn lack inslanlaneousIy.
Once il is vilhdravn fron lhe eye, lhe
gaze operales conlinuousIy vilhoul con-
scious voIilion unliI shul off again.
When angered or in conlal, a crealure
so enpovered aIvays uses ils gaze
veapon, in polenliaIIy dangerous silua-
lions, il inslincliveIy aclivales il. A
charmed crealure invoIunlariIy uses ils
gaze on lhe sudden appearance of olher
nonslers, for exanpIe, and lhus nay
accidenlaIIy affecl nenlers of lhe parly
lhal charmed il.
Thus, gaze-using crealures refrain fron
using lheir gazes in lhe excIusive conpany
of lheir ovn kind, aIlhough lhe degree of
conlroI varies. The nore irascilIe crea-
lures (such as nedusas) find reslrainl
difficuIl, and so are noslIy soIilary crea-
lures. On lhe olher hand, jackaIveres in
hunan forn sonelines ningIe vilh hu-
nans in order lo allack lhen ly surprise.
In lhis inslance, lhe jackaIvere saves ils
gaze veapon for lhe lesl nonenl - un-
Iess a suddenIy perceived danger causes il
lo use lhe aliIily refIexiveIy. These crea-
lures aIso inslincliveIy avoid each olhers
gaze vhen nore lhan one conlals a con-
non foe (see leIov).
vilh fuII conlroI of lheir aliIilies.
Refraining fron lhe use of lheir gazes is
inporlanl for pelrificalion-causing non-
slers, assuning lhey donl eal slone |see
The Ecology of the Maedar in DRAGON
issue #1O6j. These crealures are alIe lo
seek harnIess prey, such as rallils and
olher snaII gane, vhich aIIovs lhen lo
save lheir gaze veapons for use on crea-
lures ininicaI lo lhen - naluraIIy, adven-
lurers head lhis Iisl.
Gaze weapons In combat
Caze veapons operale vilhoul con-
scious voIilion once aclivaled, so lhey are
As vrillen, lhe loaIisks gaze has no save
usealIe in addilion lo any olher aIIovalIe
if nel, and can affecl onIy one person per
allacks. Because lhese allacks are conlinu-
ous, anyone in lhe gaze range has a
round. Since ils gaze requires eye conlacl,
chance of leing affecled. A nonsler viII
enpIoy ils gaze lo ils lesl advanlage in
il is a lrue gaze veapon, so lhe sane pro-
conlal, for exanpIe, lurning ils head
cedures shouId le used as vilh olher gaze
fron side lo side viII cover a 12O arc in
fronl of lhe crealure, or a 180 arc in
allacks, and lhe lexl concerning ils allack
cases in vhich lhe crealure is hard-
pressed. Of course, if a lhief lackslals
disregarded. Use TalIe 2 lo delernine
such a nonsler, il viII cerlainIy lurn ils
gIare on lhe allacker unIess lhe crealure is
vhelher or nol lhe crealures gaze is nel,
kiIIed oulrighl.
The descriplions of lhe loaIisk and yeli
indicale lhal a saving lhrov delernines
vhelher or nol lheir gazes are nel. AII
olher descriplions of nonslers vilh lrue
gaze veapons slale or inpIy lhal lhe crea-
lure's gaze nusl le nel lefore a save
nusl le nade. The noles on lhe dracoIisk
in lhe Monster Manual II provide a very
usefuI lalIe for delernining if a gaze has
leen nel (lhis lalIe has leen reproduced
as TalIe 2 in lhis arlicIe for lhe sake of
convenience). Il is suggesled lhal lhis case
appIies vilhoul exceplion lo aII nonslers
vilh gaze veapons.
74 FEBRUARY 1988
and lhen aIIov a saving lhrov. The re-
duced polency of lhe gaze is laIanced ly a
vider possilIe fieId of effecl, since any
characler vilhin range can le affecled ly
lhe allack.
The descriplions of lhe jackaIveres and
yelis gazes slale lhal lhey affecl unsus-
pecling or surprised crealures respec-
liveIy. This does nol nean lhal onIy
surprised viclins are affecled, il nereIy
indicales a leller chance of using lhe
gazes in surprise silualions (lhese crea-
lures Iove anlush). This fealure is sul-
suned in TalIe 2, and is appIied nornaIIy
lefore any required saving lhrovs are
nade. TalIe 2 shovs lhe chances of neel-
ing lhe gaze of any Iarge crealure. Add 1
lo lhe lalIe resuIl if lhe gaze-using crea-
lure is nan-sized, add 2 if lhe crealure is
snaII.
The figures in TalIe 2 represenl lhe
chances of neeling a crealures gaze in
any given round or period of surprise.
Characlers need onIy one check (and if lhe
gaze is nel, one save) al lhis line, per
nonsler. Surprise nay le negaled, on an
individuaI lasis onIy, ly high dexlerily
(DMG, page 62). IndividuaIs in lhis group
are assuned lo le avoiding lhe gaze dur-
ing lhis period if lhey are avare of lhe
danger. In aII olher inslances, lhey are
assuned lo le vieving lhe nonsler.
DMs nay aIler lhese prolaliIilies if
circunslances varranl il. Ior inslance, an
invisible characler vouId have onIy haIf
lhe nornaI chance of neeling lhe gaze if
lhe nonsler is unavare of hin. A one-
eyed crealure couId sliII use ils gaze effec-
liveIy, lhe chance of neeling ils gaze
vouId le lhe sane as lhal for a lvo-eyed
crealure. In lhis case, hovever, saving
lhrovs vouId le al +4.
There is aInosl aIvays a Iov chance of
neeling lhe gaze of a gaze-using crealure,
even vhen allenpling lo avoid il. This is
allrilulalIe lo lhe heclic novenenl of
neIee, peripheraI vision, and Ldgar AIIan
Ioes Inp of lhe Ierverse (vhich nakes
you do vhal you donl vanl lo do). Char-
aclers avoiding lhe gaze fighl al a penaIly.
The penaIlies given in lhe noles on lhe
dracoIisk are -4 lo hil and +4 lo le hil,
vhich are slandard for fighling invisible
opponenls. The difference here is lhal a
dracoIisk is nol conpIeleIy unseen - one
nay calch peripheraI gIinpses of ils Iinls
and so forlh in nosl cases (lhe fIoaling eye
is an exceplion). Il is suggesled lhal penaI-
lies of -3 lo hil and +3 lo le hil shouId
le added vhen avoiding a gaze. This
shouId appIy lo lhe lIindhein as veII,
giving il lhree possilIe arnor cIasses
againsl an allacker.
If characlers lake eIalorale sleps lo
prolecl lhenseIves (such as lIindfoIding
lheir eyes or fighling vilhin a darkness
speII), lhey aulonalicaIIy avoid gaze veap-
ons, lul viII fighl al -4 lo hil and dan-
age, a +4 penaIly lo arnor cIass, and -4
on any saves lhey nighl have lo nake (see
Dungeoneers Survival Guide, page 32).
Characlers vilh proficiency in lIind-
fighling (DSG, page 27) have lheir usuaI
advanlages.
Wilhin a neIee round in vhich a gaze
veapon lakes effecl, an inilialive roII
delernines vhich conlalanl is affecled
firsl. In lhe case of speII-casling, hovever,
lhe speII-casler is affecled as soon as he
legins casling lhe speII (unIess, of course,
sone precaulionary neasures are
adopled). MeIee is nol slalic, lhus, il is
possilIe for a nonsler lo Iunge al lhe
speII-casler - say, if lhe opponenl vas nol
iniliaIIy in range.
As previousIy nenlioned, crealures vilh
gaze veapons inslincliveIy avoid each
olhers gaze vhen fighling a connon foe.
These crealures suffer no conlal penaI-
lies, since lhey are nol fighling each olher.
To delernine if gaze-using crealures in a
posilion lo affecl one anolher do so, roII
1d1O for each crealure for each round.
The crealures neel each olhers gaze onIy
if lolh crealures roII a 1 or 2. Lven lhen,
lolh are enlilIed lo a saving lhrov. If
eilher nakes il, lolh save - since naking
a saving lhrov indicales vrenching ones
gaze avay lefore lhe nagic can lake
effecl, and lhus nusl le reciprocaI in lhis
inslance. Magic resislance can lhen le
appIied individuaIIy vhere appropriale.
A Iew reIIectIons on mIrrors
lion, lhe nirror nusl le haIf lhe range or
Iron lhe descriplions of lhe nonslers
given in lhe various lones, ve onIy knov
for cerlain lhal gazes causing pelrificalion
can le refIecled lack al a nonsler. Il
seens reasonalIe lo assune lhal aII gaze
veapons can le lrealed in lhe sane vay.
The veak nagicaI enanalion of gaze
veapons is carried ly Iighl, and so can le
refIecled as Iighl is.
Mirrors are nol perfecl refIeclors, hov-
ever, so refIeclion of a gaze veapon re-
quires leller Iighl condilions lhan lhe
gaze ilseIf needs lo funclion correclIy.
Bolh lhe nonsler and lhe nirror nusl le
veII-iIIuninaled - as a ruIe of lhunl,
vilhin haIf lhe radius of iIIuninalion of a
Iighl source.
The Iinil on gaze ranges in TalIe 1 is
alsoIule and Iinear. Ior effeclive refIec-
Iess fron lhe crealure lo affecl il, since
lhe gaze radialion nusl lraveI lo lhe nir-
ror and lack lo lhe eye.
NornaI ruIes for lhe refIeclion of Iighl
appIy, so refIecling lhe gaze lack inlo lhe
crealures eyes is nol aulonalic, lhe char-
acler nusl hoId lhe nirror al lhe correcl
angIe for lhis lo occur. Delernine lhe
chances of a nonsler neeling ils gaze in a
nirror using TalIe 2. Add 1 lo lhe figure
presenled for a Iarge nirror, and add 2 for
a very Iarge nirror (six square feel and
Iarger). There is no adjuslnenl for lhe size
of lhe nonsler. UninleIIigenl nonslers
allack nornaIIy and viII nol recognize a
nirror, vhiIe inleIIigenl ones allenpl lo
avoid lhe refIeclion. Crealures using lhis
evasive naneuver suffer conlal penaIlies
vilh respecl lo lhe nirror vieIder, as
discussed earIier.
Lven if lhe Iighling and dislance require-
AIlhough lhe speII Iasls lul a round, il is
nenls are salisfied, and lhe nonsler neels
ils gaze, il sliII receives a saving lhrov. Of
course, sone nonslers are innune lo
lheir ovn gaze (aIlhough lhere is no need
lo inforn pIayers of lhis facl). In addilion,
lhe oddIy shaped eyes of lhe grealer lasi-
Iisk and lhe hooded ones of lhe dracoIisk
nake il difficuIl lo refIecl lheir gazes lack
vilh any degree of accuracy. Wilh regard
lo lhe forner crealure, lhe nirror nusl
le vilhin 1O' of lhe grealer lasiIisk, lhe
dracoIisk has a slraighl 9O chance of
leing unaffecled ly a refIecled gaze.
(Shorl-sighledness nay heIp lhe grealer
lasiIisk, lul lhe niclilaling nenlranes of
lhe dracoIisk donl affecl on suscepliliIily.)
A poIished nelaI shieId nay le used as a
Iarge nirror, aIlhough il vouId le difficuIl
lo keep in lhis condilion, lhe denls and
scralches of conlal vouId quickIy reduce
ils efficacy. A leller idea is lo affix a Iarge
nelaI nirror onlo lhe fronl of a shieId
prior lo enlering conlal vilh a gaze-using
nonsler, keeping lhe nirror safeIy vilhin
a lackpack unliI lhal line.
The firsl-IeveI iIIusionisl speII gaze re-
flection creales a nirror-Iike area of air
lefore lhe iIIusionisl, vho can see
lhrough lhe effecl as if il vere one-vay
gIass, renaining fuIIy prolecled lehind il.
76 FEBRUARY 1988
as effeclive as a Iarge nirror. AII noles
perlaining lo nornaI nirrors appIy.
Il is nol generaIIy possilIe lo refIecl
olher allacks lhan lrue gaze veapons.
MagicaI rays fron vands, lehoIders, and
so on nay appear lo le shafls of coIored
Iighl, lul lhis is due lo Iighl scallered
perpendicuIar lo lhe rays - a side effecl
of lhe nagic. The rays lhenseIves do nol
consisl of Iighl, and lhey pass lhrough
nirrors, arnor, and so forlh vilhoul
hindrance. An exceplion nay le nade for
lhe eye kiIIers veapon, vhich is conposed
of Iighl. Use lhe sane procedure used for
refIecling gaze allacks. In lhis case, hov-
ever, lhe Iighl is dispersed if nol refIecled
lack inlo lhe crealures eyes. If lhe Iighl is
refIecled, consuIl lhe nonsler descriplion
lo delernine lhe effecls.
The calolIepas has a gaze vhich has
characlerislics of lolh a dealh ray and a
dealh gaze, so nirrors have an unusuaI
effecl: lhey spIil lhe gaze. The dealh ray
carries on uninpeded, lul lhe dealh gaze
is refIecled. If lhe calolIepas neels ils
ovn gaze, lolh il and lhe nirror vieIder
couId die - lolh gel saves againsl lhe spIil
and veakened nagic, lhough.
The originaI Medusa vas defealed ly
Ierseus, vho used a nirror lo effecliveIy
conlal lhe crealure. ApparenlIy, lhe
Medusas pelrificalion pover did nol re-
fIecl inlo his eyes. Hov, lhen, can a nirror
refIecl a gaze lack lo a nonsler, lul nol lo
a characler` WeII, il canl, reaIIy. Laler
versions of lhe slory oflen depicled Me-
dusa as leing lurned lo slone ly her ovn
refIeclion - lhis vas connon in fanlasy
ficlion especiaIIy. Since lhe AD&D gane
syslen has evidenlIy adopled lhe Ialler
forn of deaIing vilh refIecled gazes, ve
shouId slick lo il, and ignore lhal lil of lhe
originaI nylh. Ierhaps Ierseus vas jusl
Iucky, afler aII, he did sever lhe Medusas
head vilh one slroke.
The idea of a refIecled gaze leing safe is
a nisconceplion in gane lerns. The gaze
shouId le refIecled in lhe sane vay for aII
concerned: Anyone vieving a nonsler in a
nirror has a nornaI chance of leing af-
fecled ly ils gaze. This couId le quile
inleresling vhen caulious characlers Iook
around corners.
AstraI and ethereaI eIIects
The various nonslers lhal can pelrify
have sensory perceplions and allack forns
exlending inlo lhe AslraI and LlhereaI
pIanes. This is due lo lhe cIose affinily of
lhese crealures vilh lhe pIane of eIenen-
laI Larlh, and lhus vilh lhe inner pIanes
in generaI. The pyroIisk aIso has percep-
lions and allack forns exlending inlo lhe
lvo pIanes, ils affinily is cIearIy vilh lhe
pIane of eIenenlaI Iire. (The pyroIisk
descriplion does nol nenlion aslraI avare-
ness et al., lul lhe fouI fovI lurns up on
lhe appropriale randon encounler lalIes
and frequency charls al lhe end of Mon-
ster Manual II.) These crealures nay have
originaled in lhe eIenenlaI pIanes and
Ialer nigraled lo lhe Irine MaleriaI pIane.
WhiIe relaining exlrapIanar avareness,
lhey Iack lhe aliIily lo lraveI lhe pIanes
nov. There is a naluraI diffuse Iighl of
sorls in lolh lhe SiIver and IurpIe ReaIns,
sufficienl for lhe use of gaze veapons. AII
nornaI procedures appIy, lul lhe DM nay
vish lo have lhe gaze range exlended lo
lhree lines nornaI due lo lhe properlies
of lhe pIanes.
The calolIepas appears novhere on any
aslraI or elhereaI encounler charls, giving
il lhe aliIily lo see inlo and use ils gaze-
veapons in lhese pIanes in lhe Monsler
ManuaI nay have leen an error. As far as
can le ascerlained, lhe calolIepas have no
conneclion vilh anylhing eIenenlaI. Thus,
il is suggesled lhal lhe DM ignore lhe
crealures aslraI and elhereaI side, lhe
calolIepas is nasly enough vilhoul il. The
olher gaze-using nonslers have no parlic-
uIar eIenenlaI affinily, and lhus shouId
have no aslraI and elhereaI avareness or
allack forns.
IIIusory probIems
If a parly casls iIIusory darkness on a
gaze-using nonsler or an iIIusory vaII in
fronl of il, lhe parly can sliII le affecled
ly lhe crealures gaze. IIIusions do nol
aIler physicaI reaIilies, so lhere is sliII Iighl
lo carry lhe gaze allack. IIIusions exisl
onIy in lhe ninds eye, and viII nol slop an
allack going lhrough lhen. The chances of
neeling a gaze in lhis silualion depend on
vhelher or nol lhe nonsler can see pasl
lhe iIIusion. If il canl, gaze conlacl is
coincidenlaI, and lhe chances on TalIe 2
are haIved (roII 1d2O), olhervise, lhe
chances are nornaI. An olscuring iIIusion
negales aII surprise silualions for lhe
purpose of finding if a gaze has leen nel,
since ones eye is nol dravn lo lhe non-
sler. IIayers nighl nol iniliaIIy le avare of
vhal is happening if lhis silualion is sel up
as a lrap, one such exanpIe is a perma-
nent illusion of a vaII casl over an aIcove
vilh a chained lasiIisk in il. Soneone vho
has nade a save againsl lhe gaze vouId le
avare lhal sonelhing funny vas going on,
lhough.
IIIusions of crealures vilh gaze veapons
are onIy possilIe vilh speIIs Iike shadow
monsters vhich creale nonslers lhal are
quasi-reaI. Caze effecls do nol exlend
leyond lhe speIIs area of effecl, hovever.
Lven lhen, each line a speciaI allack is
used, a save againsl lhe iIIusion ilseIf
shouId le aIIoved lefore lhe save againsl
lhe speciaI allack. Wilhoul lhis reslriclion,
iIIusionisls vouId creale speclres or lo-
daks aII lhe line ralher lhan olher, nore
nundane nonslers.
MagIcaI preservatIon
Wilh lhe dealh of a gaze-using crealure,
lhe niclilaling nenlranes lhal suppress
lhe gaze in Iife Iose lheir shieIding proper-
lies, and lhe gaze allack ilseIf ceases lo
funclion. Using lhe severed head of a
nedusa lo pelrify peopIe, Iike Ierseus did,
is nol aIIoved. (The originaI Medusa in lhe
nylh vas nore poverfuI lhan lhe Iesser
nedusas vho popuIale lhe AD&D gane
vorId. As furlher proof, Slheno and Lury-
aIe, lhe Medusas sislers, vere innorlaI -
an allrilule veII oul of lhe reach of lhese
AD&D gane nonslers.)
IoverfuI nagic, hovever, nay le used
lo nainlain lolh lhe gaze and lhe nen-
lranes of lhe gaze-using nonsler as if lhe
crealure vere sliII aIive. Iirsl, lhe corpse
(or al Ieasl lhe head) of lhe gaze-using
nonsler nusl have a preserve speII casl
on il vilhin a lurn of lhe crealures de-
nise. This aclion nusl le perforned ly a
casler of al Ieasl 8lh IeveI. To keep lhe
gaze vorking, a properIy phrased limited
wish or siniIar speII nusl le casl on lhe
corpse. This speII nusl lhen le foIIoved
ly a permanency speII. If lhe inner eyeIids
are carefuIIy renoved inlacl (a finicky lask
vilh a chance of success equaIIing 10% +
1 per poinl of dexlerily) and given sini-
Iar lrealnenl, lhey can le fashioned inlo a
pair of Iens lhal give innunily lo lhe
parlicuIar forn of gaze allack used ly lhe
nonsler. (The limited wish and perma-
nency are separale fron lhose used lo
nainlain lhe gaze veapon.) The process of
naking lhese proleclive devices, hovever,
is very lricky and invoIves neIding lhe
DRAGON 77
TabIe 1
Monsters UsIng True Gaze Attacks
Monster
BasiIisk
BasiIisk, grealer
BIindhein
BoaIisk
Bodak
CalolIepas
Daenon, charona-
Daenon, uIlro-
Denon, lalau 4
DracoIisk
Lye, fIoaling
}ackaIvere 5
Medusa
Naga, spiril
IyroIisk
Revenanl 6
Scarecrov
Unler huIk
Vanpire
Yeli 7
Gaze
attack
Ielrificalion
Ielrificalion
BIindness
Disease
Dealh
Dealh
Iear
HoId/DeIude
LnfeelIenenl
Ielrificalion
Hypnosis
SIeep
Ielrificalion
Charn
InlernaI fire
IaraIysis
Charn
C o n f u s i o n
Charn
IaraIysis
DuratIon
Iernanenl
Iernanenl
11-2O lurns
Iernanenl
Iernanenl
Iernanenl
1 lurn
SpeciaI
7 rounds
Iernanenl
2-7 rounds
2 lurns
Iernanenl
Iernanenl
Inslanlaneous
2-8 rounds
As speII
3-12 rounds
As speII
3 rounds
GIven
range
-
50
30
-
30
6
-
-
20
20
-
-
3
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Suggested
range
40
50
30
20
30
60
30
40
20
20
10
30
30
20
30
10'
20
20
20
30
Gaze
ImmunIty
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Yes
-
-
-
-
-
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
-
Yes
-
1
The lIindheins gaze provides ils ovn Iighl, of course. AIlhough il can le seen, il is a lrue gaze veapon in aII olher respecls. The
Iighl leans are so lrighl lhal lhe lIindhein cannol see pasl lhen vhen lhey are in use. Ils acule senses of sneII and hearing
conpensale for lhis, so il can sliII largel ils gaze allack and defend al nornaI prolaliIilies.
This nasly nonsler is lhe exceplion lo lhe ruIe. Ils gaze allack is lolh a gaze veapon - in lhal il is conlinuous and requires eye
conlacl for ils fuII effecl (i.e., no save) - and a dealh ray in lhe usuaI sense in lhal il can kiII vilhoul eye conlacl if a save is faiIed.
This nakes il poverfuI indeed.
3
The viclin of an uIlrodaenons gaze is affecled as if ly a hold person speII for as Iong as he can see lhe uIlrodaenons eyes. Lven
if lhe save is nade or if eye conlacl is olhervise lroken, lhe viclin sliII suffers deIusion (see Monster Manual II, page 31). This
effecl is very poverfuI, vilhoul lrue seeing or siniIar nagic, characlers shouId nol le alIe lo ignore il. A good vay for a DM lo
sinuIale lhe effecl is lo require a save vs. visdon on 1d2O each round for a characler lo le alIe lo allack lhe daenon.
4
The enfeeblement caused ly lhe lalau denon is 33.
5
The jackaIvere, Iike ils cousin lhe voIfvere, can lake any of lhree possilIe forns: jackaI, nornaI hunan, and a parliaIIy changed
forn vilh a nanIike lorso and Iinls, and a jackaIs head. The jackaIvere can use ils gaze in any forn. This affecls any characler
of any IeveI if he faiIs his save.
6
The revenanl is onIy incIuded for conpIeleness, ils gaze is effeclive onIy on ils inlended prey.
7
HaIf lhe danage caused ly lhe yelis squeeze is physicaI, lhe resl is coId danage. ConsequenlIy, lhose vilh resislance lo coId can
negale or reduce lhe chiIIing effecls.
TabIe 2
Chances oI MeetIng a
Gaze Attack
Character Is: Chance
ConpIeleIy
surprised 9 in 1O
Surprised 7 in 1O
Vieving nonsler 5 in 1O
Allacking nornaIIy 3 in 1O
Avoiding gaze 1 in 1O
78 FEBRUARY 1988
nenlranes vilh a fineIy fashioned pair of
cryslaI Ienses (al Ieasl 1,OOO gp per pair).
The resuIlanl Ienses are indislinguishalIe
fron lhe olher nagicaI eyes in lhe AD&D
gane.
IncidenlaIIy, eyes of charming and eyes
of petrification (lhe reversed sorl) can le
lrealed exaclIy as lhe gaze of a vanpire or
lasiIisk respecliveIy. Use lhe procedures
given in lhis arlicIe lo adjudicale lheir use.
The eyelile speII requires eye conlacl, lul
lhe nage casling il vonl use il in silua-
lions in vhich he cannol neel soneones
gaze. Treal lhis speII as a nornaI speII.
Other vIsuaI eIIects
TalIe 2 can aIso le used for delernining
vhelher or nol any polenliaIIy hazardous
visuaI phenonenon is olserved. These
phenonena nay range fron sighls as
pIeasanl as a nynph disroling lo as un-
pIeasanl as a penanggaIan separaling ils
head fron ils lody. The Ialler is parlicu-
IarIy nasly, lhe saving lhrov onIy deler-
nines lhe severily of lhe vievers fale. In
aII fairness, a chance shouId le given lo
avoid seeing il aIlogelher. Olher phenon-
ena lhe lalIe couId le used for incIude lhe
lIinding fIare of a nagnesiun spiril, lhe
gillering noulhers spillIe, or lhe sighl of
a sea hags ugIy face. Use TalIe 2 lo deler-
nine vhelher or nol lhe characler is
Iooking al lhe crealure or oljecl lefore
requiring a saving lhrov.
DRAGON 79
]ustlce ls serted!
(Part 2)
The
Marvel - Phi l e
WeII, In sleaned. Afler aII ny vork lo
pul everylhing on Scourge under one roof,
lhe edilor of lhis fine nagazine, Roger of
lhe Relrealing HairIine |Ouch!j, cul il inlo
lvo parls. Lven The MarveI-IhiIe has
ils Iinilalions. Our apoIogies lo aII and
sundry.
by JeII Grubb
Mark CruenvaId, lhe vriler/producer of
The Official Handbook of the Marvel Uni-
verse. Thanks aIso go lo The Turning Iage
conics shop in MiIvaukee, and lo lhe
Tonorrov is Yeslerday and Toad HaII
shops in Rockford, III., for lheir heIp in
Iocaling nany of lhe Iong-forgollen lack
issues in vhich lhese parlicuIar ex-viIIains
firsl appeared.
In any evenl, lhis second seclion does
aIIov ne lhe chance lo exlend lhank-yous
lo peopIe vho have heIped ne pul lhis
sucker logelher. SpeciaI lhanks go lo
And nov, lhe finaI seIeclion of Scourges
viIIains, fealuring lhe viclins of lhe lar
vilh no nane nassacre - and Scourge
hinseIf.
BIRD-MAN II Achille DiBacco
I A S L R I I
LX LX CD CD TY TY TY
HeaIlh: 6O Karna: 18
Resources: IR IopuIarily: - 4
KNOWN POWERS:
Flight: LX (1O areas/lurn).
Blaster: RM inlensily force, Z-area range.
TALENTS: None.
CONTACTS: None.
HIS LIFE: The originaI Ani-Men (and lhe
originaI Bird-Man) vere kiIIed in a lallIe
lelveen Counl Nefaria and Iron Man. The
second Bird-Man, Cal-Man, and Ape-Man
vere recruiled ly Dealh-SlaIker, a foe of
DaredeviI. AII vere nornaI hunans vilh
superpovered coslunes. Ape-Man and
Cal-Man vere kiIIed ly Dealh-SlaIker, lul
Bird-Man, defealed earIier ly BIack
Widov, escaped.
HIS DEATH: Bird-Man vas anong lhe
nany viIIains vho allended a neeling
hosled ly Cary CiIlerl al lhe crininaI lar
vilh no nane (see Iirelrand for delaiIs).
He vas sIain lhere ly Scourge in a nassa-
cre of 17 crininaIs.
80 FEBRUARY 1988
TURNER D. CENTURY
TM
CIifford I. MichaeIs
I A S L R I I
IR TY TY TY CD TY IR
HeaIlh: 2O Karna: 2O
Resources: IN IopuIarily: - 1
KNOWN POWERS:
Flamethrower Umbrella: LX fIane dan-
age, I-area range.
Flying Bicycle Built For Two: LX speed.
Tine Horn: Device inlended lo kiII lhose
under age 65 ly uIlrasonic vaves, lul
inslead induced unconsciousness vilhin
1O-area radius, affecling sane viclin lype,
MN inlensily.
TALENTS: Hislory and Invenlion.
CONTACTS: None.
HIS LIFE: CIifford MichaeIs vas raised lo
leIieve in lhe vaIues of lhe earIy 2Olh
cenlury, and he soughl lo force lhose
vaIues on lhe nodern vorId, firsl lrying lo
cIean up. San Irancisco, lhen allenpling
lo kiII everyone under lhe age of 65 in
Nev York vilh his Tine Horn, vhich
faiIed lo perforn as he hoped. He vas
defealed in lhe firsl case ly Spider-
Wonan, and Ialer ly Spider-Man and
Doninic Iorlune.
HIS DEATH: Turner D. Cenlury, nenlaIIy
unslalIe lul lranded a crininaI, vas a
viclin al lhe lar vilh no nane nassacre
lhal cIained Bird-Man and nany olhers.
CHEETAH Lslelan Carracus
I A S L R I I
RM RM IN RM TY LX CD
HeaIlh: 14O Karna: 36
Resources: TY IopuIarily: - 6
KNOWN POWERS:
Superhuman Abilities: The alove slals
are for Cheelah al his nosl poverfuI, as
an agenl of lhe Kree race. Al lhe line of
his dealh, each of Cheelahs IASL aliIilies
vere LX (HeaIlh: 8O).
Claws: RM naleriaI slrenglh, lolh vhen
superpovered and Ialer as parl of his
coslune.
Speed: LX (5 areas/lurn) as an agenl of
lhe Kree.
TALENTS: None.
CONTACTS: Ronan lhe Accuser and lhe
Kree.
HIS LIFE: A pelly lhief, Carracus vas
endoved vilh superhunan povers ly a
Kree Senlry, and vas used as a pavn in
conlal lelveen Ronan lhe Accuser and
lhe originaI Caplain Mar-VeII. His povers
vere deslroyed vilh lhe Kree Senlry, lul
he relained his nane and coslune.
HIS DEATH: The nonpovered Cheelah
vas kiIIed in lhe lar vilh no nane nas-
sacre nenlioned alove.
COMMANDER KRAKEN
Nane unknovn
I A S L R I I
RM CD CD TY CD CD TY
HeaIlh: 56 Karna: 26
Resources: CD IopuIarily: O
KNOWN POWERS:
Bionic Left Hand: OriginaIIy a hook
capalIe of enilling a RM-inlensily eIeclri-
caI shock, repIaced ly HYDRA vilh a
funclionaI lionic hand of RM slrenglh.
Bionic Left Leg: Iunclioned as nornaI
Ieg, aIIoved fIighl al TY speed (6 areas/
lurn).
LIeclro-Svord: Device capalIe of firing
AM-inlensily eIeclricily (3-area range),
couId refIecl up lo AM-inlensily force and
energy allacks.
Sea VesseIs: Squid-shaped sulnarines
vhich fired sheIIs of AM danage, and had
lenlacIes of AM naleriaI slrenglh. Olher
slals: valercrafl, ConlroI LX, Speed RM (6
areas/lurn), Body AM, Iroleclion AM.
TALENTS: Handguns and Ldged
Weapons.
CONTACTS: HYDRA.
HIS LIFE: A nodern-day pirale vho soId
his services lo HYDRA, Connander
Kraken foughl and Iosl againsl Sul-
Mariner and Iron Man.
HIS DEATH: UnalIe lo reluiId his seago-
ing ships afler his Iasl defeal ly Iron Man,
Connander Kraken relired lo connil
snaIIer crines in lhe Midvesl. He vas
sIain in lhe lar vilh no nane ly
Scourge.
CYCLONE Nane unknovn
I A S L R I I
CD CD TY LX CD CD TY
HeaIlh: 46 Karna: 16
Resources: CD IopuIarily: - 5
KNOWN POWERS:
Wind Control: CycIones soIe pover
derived fron lhe coslune he vore, vhich
aIIoved hin lo conlroI air vilh AM aliIily.
He couId perforn lhe foIIoving pover
slunls:
* IIy al CD speed (8 areas/lurn),
* Disrupl olher fIiers (AM inlensily),
* Lifl olhers inlo air (AM inlensily),
* Allack aII in one area for RM danage
fron vind lIasls, and,
* Creale vacuun around one largel (AM
inlensily).
TALENTS: Lngineering and Invenlion.
CONTACTS: The Maggia.
HIS LIFE: A NATO engineer, CycIone
lurned his invenlion of a vind-conlroIIing
device inlo a looI for lhe Maggia. CycIone
foughl and Iosl lo lolh Spider-Man and
Moon Knighl.
HIS DEATH: UnalIe lo use his device,
CycIone died in lhe lar vilh no nane
nassacre.
MORE INFO: MHAC6 Nev York, Nev
York.
FIREBRAND Cary CiIlerl
I A S L R I I
CD CD IN LX LX CD TY
HeaIlh: 8O Karna: 36
Resources: TY IopuIarily: - 12
KNOWN POWERS:
Costume: Iirelrands suil gave hin his
high slrenglh. Wilhoul il, his Slrenglh vas
CD and his HeaIlh 5O. The suil gave hin
MN resislance lo Iire.
Flamethrowers: One nounled on each
vrisl, projecled AM-inlensily heal and
fIane al 3-area range.
Flight: CD (8 areas/lurn).
TALENTS: Ihysics and Invenlion.
CONTACTS: None.
HIS LIFE: A radicaI agilalor vho used his
laIenls lo furlher crininaI ends, Iirelrand
vas a Iongline foe of Iron Man.
HIS DEATH: CiIlerl relired his cosluned
idenlily lo lecone a lusiness agenl for
olher crininaIs, usuaIIy neeling lhen al
an alandoned lar in Medina Counly, Ohio,
knovn onIy as lhe lar vilh no nane As
Scourge had aIready nade earIy successes
againsl Iov-IeveI crininaIs such as CiIlerl
and his cIienls, Cary caIIed a neeling of
crininaIs lo discuss lhe prolIen. Seven-
leen olher crininaIs nade lhe neeling
(Waler Wizard vas Iale vilh a fIal lire,
vhich saved his Iife). AII veapons vere
checked al lhe door, lul Scourge infiI-
lraled lhe neeling disguised as lhe lar-
lender. CiIlerl and lhe olher 17 vere shol
dovn ly Scourge, vieIding a cul-dovn .5O
nachine gun in each hand.
HELLRAZOR Nane unknovn
I A S L R I I
RM LX CD RM TY IR TY
HeaIlh: 9O Karna: 16
Resources: IR IopuIarily: - 2
KNOWN POWERS:
Wrist Blades: HeIIrazors prinary
veapon, IN naleriaI slrenglh lraceIels
vhich had sharpened edges, infIicling IN
edged-allack danage, couId aIso fire a
slrean of sharp razors, IN danage, vilh
Z-area range.
TALENTS: MarliaI Arls B and L.
CONTACTS: Roxxon OiI.
HIS LIFE: An agenl of Roxxon OiI hired lo
defane and kiII lhe BIack Ianlher, he vas
defealed (once deprived of his vrisl-
veapons) ly TChaIIa and Spider-Man.
HIS DEATH: Caughl vilhoul his veap-
ons, HeIIrazor vas kiIIed al lhe lar vilh
no nane.
GRAPPLER Name unknown
I A S L R I I
R M C D T Y C D C D C D T Y
HeaIlh: 56 Karna: 26
Resources: RM IopuIarily: O
KNOWN POWERS:
Battle Staff: A fIexilIe sleeI rod of LX
naleriaI slrenglh, used as a lallIe slaff
and vieIded vilh IN aliIily lo infIicl RM
danage. BIunl end of lhe slaff conlained a
coiI of RM-slrenglh calIe, vhich couId le
fired vilh 2-area range lo eilher enlangIe
an opponenl or serve as a calIe, lo le
reeIed in.
Radio-Controlled Plane: As privale pIane
in Advanced Sel MARVLL SUILR
HLROLS ruIes look, vilh IN conlroI.
TALENTS: MarliaI Arls A, C, and L,
Iinances, and, Boxing.
CONTACTS: None.
HIS LIFE: Advised as a youlh lo sludy
Ieverage, lhe CrappIer lecane a nasler
al lhe idea, lolh in a physicaI and financiaI
sense. His singIe allenpl lo pul Ieverage
lo crininaI use ly sleaIing an arnored car
fiIIed vilh goId vas haIled ly She-HuIk.
HIS DEATH: CrappIer vas a viclin of lhe
lar vilh no nane nassacre.
HIJACKER
TM
Nane unknovn
I A S L R I I
TY CD TY CD RM CD CD
HeaIlh: 32 Karna: 5O
Resources: CD IopuIarily: O
KNOWN POWERS:
Body Suit: Hijacker had no superhunan
povers, inslead gaining his aliIilies fron
his heavy lody-suil, vhich provided lhe
pover for his veapons. His heavy, lrovn,
reinforced falric suil provided RM prolec-
lion againsl physicaI, energy, heal, fire,
and coId allacks. When seaIed vilh his
odd-Iooking heInel, Hijacker had his ovn
4-hour oxygen suppIy and vas innune lo
gases.
Vario-Blaster: Hijackers nain veapon
vas a nuIlifunclion gun allached lo lhe
leIl of his oulfil ly a calIe. Wilh lhis 2-
area-range veapon, Hijacker couId fire:
* NucIear fIane for AM fire danage,
* Knock-oul nerve gas of IN inlensily,
* IrojecliIes for RM danage,
* Ionic lIasls for RM energy danage,
and,
* An Aclivalor Bean of IN inlensily,
vhich aclivaled any nearly nachinery.
Crime-Tank: A heaviIy arnored forl on
lreads, Hijackers noliIe lase vas an off-
road vehicIe vilh LX conlroI, TY speed,
D R A G O N 8 1
AM lody, and IN proleclion. Ils spiked
lreads infIicled IN danage, and il had
eIeclronagnels of AM inlensily vilh a 4-
area range. This lank vas deslroyed ly
lhe Thing and BIack CoIialh.
TALENTS: LX AgiIily vilh Vario-BIasler.
CONTACTS: None.
HIS LIFE: A ginnick-Iaden viIIain vho
speciaIized in sleaIing lechnoIogy for Ialer
resaIe in crininaI auclions, Hijacker vas
firsl defealed ly Anl-Man, and Ialer ly
BIack CoIialh and lhe Thing. He vas good
al Iasl-nonenl rallils oul of lhe hal
lricks lhal no one expecled.
HIS DEATH: Hijacker unforlunaleIy
allended lhe lar vilh no nane nassa-
cre. Wilhoul his ginnicks and proleclion,
he proved easy prey for Scourge.
JAGUAR Ranon De Rico
I A S L R I I
RM RM LX LX TY LX TY
HeaIlh: 1OO Karna: 32
Resources: TY IopuIarily: - 6
KNOWN POWERS:
Infravision: RM inlensily.
Claws: Worn on gIoves, infIicled RM
edged allack danage, and vere used lo
scaIe luiIdings (1 fIoor/lurn).
TALENTS: MarliaI Arls A and C.
CONTACTS: HYDRA.
HIS LIFE: Head of lhe Connando Divi-
sion of HYDRA under SiIvernane, LI }ag-
uar vas a devoled Ieader vho look pride
in Ieading his crack lroops inlo lallIe,
unliI his defeal ly DaredeviI and Nick
Iurys SHILLD forces.
HIS DEATH: LI }aguar vas jusl one nore
lonlslone oulside lhe lar vilh no nane.
LETHA HeIIen IeIiciano
I A S L R I I
RM LX RM LX TY TY TY
HeaIlh: 1OO Karna: 18
Resources: CD IopuIarily: 5
KNOWN POWERS: None.
TALENTS: WreslIing, and MarliaI Arls A,
C, and L.
CONTACTS: Roxxon, lhe Iover Broker,
and lhe UCWIs CrappIers.
HER LIFE: IenaIe vreslIers recruiled ly
Roxxon lo lreak inlo Irojecl Iegasus,
Lelha and Tilania vere slopped and
served line in prison lefore going
slraighl. Lelhas slrenglh vas loosled ly
lhe Iover Broker, and she and her co-
horls, lhe CrappIers (nol lo le confused
vilh lhe CrappIer, alove) joined lhe
UCWI.
HER DEATH: Lelha allended lhe neeling
al lhe lar vilh no nane in order lo find
Tilanias kiIIer. She succeeded and paid for
lhal infornalion vilh her Iife (see Iasl
nonlhs The MarveI-IhiIe for inforna-
lion on Tilania).
MIND-WAVE Nane unknovn
I A S L R I I
TY TY TY TY LX CD RM
HeaIlh: 24 Karna: 6O
Resources: LX IopuIarily: - 8
KNOWN POWERS:
Psionic Powers: Mind-Waves naluraI
nind povers vere loosled ly a heInel of
his ovn design, vhich gave hin lhe foI-
Ioving aliIilies:
* LSI, vilh vhich he couId lIindside a
nonleIepalhic opponenl al viII, and
* MenlaI connunicalion vilh olhers
vearing siniIar heInels, his lhink lank,
or vilh olher LSIers.
Think Tank: A Iarge, heaviIy arned
vehicIe conlroIIed ly Mind-Waves nenlaI
povers, and used lo rol lanks. The vehi-
cIe had AM conlroI, LX speed, LX lody,
and had CD arnor. Il had heal-ray can-
nons vhich infIicled IN danage al a 3-area
range.
Heat Ray: Hand-heId version, infIicled
RM danage al a 2-area range.
TALENTS: None.
CONTACTS: None.
HIS LIFE: A crininaI possessing nenlaI
aliIilies heighlened ly his ovn invenlions,
lhe negaIonaniac Mind- Wave rolled
lanks in Lurope and Anerica unliI
slopped ly DaredeviI and Uri CeIIer.
HIS DEATH: Mind-Waves nenlaI aliIilies
faiIed lo varn hin aloul Scourge, He died
in lhe lar vilh no nane nassacre.
MIRAGE I Desnond Charne
I A S L R I I
CD TY CD TY LX TY CD
HeaIlh: 32 Karna: 36
Resources: TY IopuIarily: - 3
KNOWN POWERS:
Image Generation: Mirages suil aIIoved
hin lo produce severaI MN-rank Iover
Slunls invoIving iIIusion. He couId:
* Disguise hinseIf and olhers vilhin a
I-area range,
* Use invisiliIily, and,
* Irojecl nuIlipIe inages (up lo 8)
vilhin I-area range.
TALENTS: Handguns (oflen carried one).
CONTACTS: None.
HIS LIFE: A hoIography lechnician vilh
deIusions of crininaI success, Mirage vas
defealed ly Spider-Man and DaredeviI on
separale occasions.
HIS DEATH: Mirage allended lhe lar
vilh no nane al lhe line of lhe nassacre.
Though a viclin, he vas reporled lo have
survived as parl of a pIoy lo Iure Scourge
inlo a lrap. Dressed as Mirage, Caplain
Anerica caplured Scourge, vho vas lhen
shol lo dealh ly another nyslerious assaiI-
anl, vho nay le yel anolher Scourge.
RAPIER
TM
Doninic Tyrone
I A S L R I I
IN LX CD CD CD TY CD
HeaIlh: 8O Karna: 26
Resources: LX IopuIarily: 6
KNOWN POWERS:
Electro-Stun Sword: DeIivered LX-
inlensily eIeclricaI shock lhal caused un-
consciousness, I-area range.
TALENTS: Iencing and MarliaI Arls A.
CONTACTS: None.
HIS LIFE: A forner parlner of SiIver-
nane, Tyrone achieved recognilion as lhe
heroic Rapier vhiIe pIanning revenge
againsl his crine-loss parlner. He foughl
Spider-Man inconcIusiveIy.
HIS DEATH: Like so nany olhers, he died
al lhe lar vilh no nane.
RINGER Anlhony Davis
I A S L R I I
CD CD CD TY CD TY TY
HeaIlh: 36 Karna: 22
Resources: CD IopuIarily: - 4
KNOWN POWERS:
Rings: Devices on Ringers vrisl fired a
variely of rings, incIuding: LxpIosive Rings
of RM danage, Ireezing Rings of RM coId,
and, Conslriclion Rings of IN naleriaI
slrenglh and danage. In Ialer versions of
his suils, he had a parlicuIale-naller
condenser, vhich couId forn rings of IN
slrenglh fron sool in lhe air.
TALENTS: None.
CONTACTS: None.
HIS LIFE: Ringer nade his enlry inlo lhe
crininaI Iife ly lallIing vilh Nighlhavk of
lhe Defenders. SevereIy lealen, he voved
never lo fighl again, lul he vas Ialer
caplured ly lhe BeelIe and forced lo fighl
82 FEBRUARY 1988
Spider-Man. Aflervards, he noved lo lhe
Midvesl.
HIS DEATH: BeIieving he had finaIIy hil
lhe lig line, Ringer vas inslead shol lo
dealh al lhe lar vilh no nane.
SHELLSHOCK
M
Nane unknovn
I A S L R I I
CD LX TY TY CD TY TY
HeaIlh: 42 Karna: 22
Resources: TY IopuIarily: - 4
KNOWN POWERS:
Special Handgun: RM naleriaI slrenglh,
3-area range, fired assorled projecliIes
(incIuding IN expIosive projecliIes, IN heal-
seeking and guided projecliIes, and an
expanding yeasl-pully of AM slrenglh
vhich enlangIed opponenls).
TALENTS: Handguns.
CONTACTS: Isycho-Man.
HIS LIFE: A forner fIunky of Isycho-
Man, SheIIshock kepl lhe veapon designed
for hin and leaned up vilh Livevire
(anolher forner fIunky) lo sleaI AIicia
Maslers slalues. They vere defealed ly
lhe Thing.
HIS DEATH: SheIIshock vas presenl al
lhe lar vilh no nane, and lhere nel his
end, lhanks lo Scourge.
STEEPLEJACK II MaxveII IIunn
I A S L R I I
CD LX CD CD CD TY CD
HeaIlh: 5O Karna: 26
Resources: CD IopuIarily: - 3
KNOWN POWERS:
Body Suit: RM proleclion fron physicaI
allack.
Acetylene Gun: A nuIlipurpose veapon
lhal couId fire:
* RM-danage force,
* RM-danage energy,
* Wire sIipknol of RM slrenglh, and,
* Heal and Iighl of RM inlensily.
TALENTS: None.
CONTACTS: None.
HIS LIFE: Taking lhe designs and oulfil of
lhe firsl SleepIejack (}ake MaIIard, vho
died fighling Iover Man), Max IIunn
foughl Ms. MarveI - and Iosl.
HIS DEATH: SleepIejack allended lhe
finaI lash al lhe lar vilh no nane.
VAMP Nane unknovn
I A S L R I I
RM LX CD CD CD CD RM
HeaIlh: 7O Karna: 5O
Resources: CD IopuIarily: - 4
KNOWN POWERS:
Absorbo-belt: A SHILLD device vhich
pernilled Vanp lo dupIicale lhe physicaI
non-superhunan aliIilies of olher individ-
uaIs vilhin 1 area of her. These incIuded:
* DupIicalion of Slrenglh, up lo RM
rank, vilh no effecl on HeaIlh, and
* DupIicalion of Iighling and Weapon
TaIenls.
Telepatby: Vanp had LX leIepalhy.
ALTER EGO: Vanp vas a superpovered
viIIain vho acluaIIy had another super-
povered viIIain idenlily as her aIler ego:
lhe Aninus, a huge-headed prinilive vilh
greal povers:
I A S L R I I
RM RM IN IN RM LX IN
HeaIlh: 14O Karna: 9O
The povers of Aninus once incIuded lhe
foIIoving:
Mental Bolts: IN-danage force,
Crystal Club: LX naleriaI slrenglh, if
used as a focus for nenlaI aliIilies, il
raised lhen ly one rank,
Telekinesis: IN rank.
Animate Objects: IN inlensily.
The Transfornalion fron Vanp lo Aninus
vas renole-conlroIIed ly a device heId ly
lhe crininaI Corporalion. AII danage
laken in one forn did nol carry over lo
lhe olher, lhough Iong-lern effecls (Slun,
SIan, or KiII) did.
TALENTS: Lspionage.
CONTACTS: The Corporalion, BIue
Slreak, SHILLD (lenporariIy).
HER LIFE: Vanp and BIue Slreak vere
doulIe agenls for lhe Corporalion vho
infiIlraled lhe SHILLD super-agenl pro-
gran. Vanp lallIed Caplain Anerica lolh
as Vanp and Aninus, lul Iosl.
HER DEATH: Wilhoul her alsorlo-leIl
(confiscaled ly SHILLD), and leing eilher
unalIe lo use or Iacking lhe conlroI device
lo lecone Aninus, Vanp died al lhe lar
vilh no nane.
SCOURGE Nane unknovn
I A S L R I I
TY LX TY LX TY RM CD
HeaIlh: 52 Karna: 46
Resources: LX IopuIarily: - 5
KNOWN POWERS:
Scourges Gun: One shol did LX danage,
5-shol lursl, RM danage, 5-area range, LX
naleriaI slrenglh. Iired an expIosive luIIel
lhal Iovered an opponenls physicaI pro-
leclion ly - 2CS. Scourge preferred lo use
lhis veapon al poinl-lIank range, and
couId use one such veapon in eilher or
lolh hands vilh perfecl faciIily. Weapon
DRAGON 83
vas easiIy conceaIed .5O-caI. Thonpson
nachine gun vilh saved-off larreI and
for heIp. Cap look lhe coslune of lhe
deceased Mirage lo sel a lrap for Scourge,
slock (foIding vire slock used). A 5-round
cIip vas used, exlra cIips prolalIy kepl on
Scourges person.
Scourges Van: ConlroI TY, speed LX,
lody CD, arnor CD. Carried spare veap-
ons, anno, disguises, conpulerized crine
fiIe, leIevision connunicalions gear.
TALENT5: Weapon SpeciaIisl vilh ovn
gun (In AgiIily), CrininoIogy, Disguise, and
Marksnan.
and he nanaged lo caplure lhe nurderer
- lul Scourge vas shol ly an unknovn
assaiIanl in lhe shadovs, using a gun
siniIar lo Scourges and caIIing oul lhe
sane }uslice is served! cry. Before he
vas shol, Scourge nade a confession of
his origins - lul his slory has since
proved lo le faIse. The lrue origins of
Scourge, and vhelher lhere are olhers of
his iIk, are unknovn.
CONTACT5: Donino, a nasked deleclive
vho had MN conlacls in lhe crininaI
undervorId.
HI5 LIFE: Appearing oul of novhere lo
eIininale lhe Lnforcer, Scourge cul a vide
svalh lhrough lhe crininaI ranks of lhe
MarveI Universe. He concenlraled on
aclive cosluned crininaIs of nediun-lo-
Iov pover, keying on nany Iesser-knovn
viIIains vhose aliIilies vere lased nore
on devices lhan naluraI or arlificiaI nula-
101 uses Ior a dead vIIIaIn
Scourges viclins vere generaIIy (lhough
nol aIvays) individuaIs vho derived lheir
aliIilies fron high lechnoIogy, vhich
granled lhen povers or enhanced aIready
exisling aliIilies. Scourge deslroyed lhese
ilens vhen possilIe, lul crininaIs lend lo
Ieave nuIlipIe caches of equipnenl or
pIans. Many ilens vere confiscaled fron
sIain viIIains ly Ohio poIice foIIoving lhe
lions. BIindsiding nearIy aII of his viclins
and aIIoving for no varning al aII, he vas
slarlIingIy successfuI lefore eilher lhe
crininaI connunily or any heroes caughl
on lo his aclivily. His fev nissed opporlu-
nilies incIuded faiIed allacks againsl Con-
slriclor (foiIed ly Caplain Anerica),
Kraven (accidenlaIIy foiIed ly Tigra), Hol-
golIin (foiIed ly Spider-Man, lul Scourge
kiIIed Wrailh inslead), Colra and
Dianondlack (nissed fueI lank on lheir
ship), and Waler Wizard (see Iirelrand,
alove). Il is possilIe lhal lhere vere or are
nuIlipIe Scourges on lhe Ioose (see lexl
leIov and enlry on Tilania in Iasl nonlhs
The MarveI-IhiIe).
HIS DEATH: IoIIoving lhe nassacre al
lhe lar vilh no nane, Waler Wizard - a
Iale arrivaI - conlacled Caplain Anerica
nassacre al lhe lar vilh no nane. Cer-
lain sIain crininaIs nay have Iefl reIalives
or crininaI aIIies vho viII lake up lheir
idenlilies and causes in lhe fulure. Il is
possilIe in ganing canpaigns for a nev
Iirelrand or BIue Slreak lo appear and
ledeviI your heroes. By lhe sane loken,
Scourge (or soneone Iike hin) nay relurn
lo lunp off nore crininaIs in your
MarveI Universe.
8 4 F E B R U A R Y 1 9 8 8
19SS by HartIey, PatrIcIa,
and KIrk Lesser
TaIk is exceplionaIIy cheap. Hov nany
lines have you heard aloul lhe reIease of
a nev gane producl, onIy lo le lillerIy
disappoinled lecause lhe gane never
reaches lhe relaiIers sheIves` The producl
is eilher overhyped ly a conpanys pulIic
reIalions deparlnenl, or eIse lhe progran
ilseIf is nolhing nore lhan a drean fron
lhe dislurled sIeep of an overIy oplinislic
progranner. Those producls lhal do
nanage lo cone lo narkel on line and al
a fair price have lhal IillIe sonelhing exlra
going for lhen - veracily! Here are sone
nev producls lhal are sure lo pIease.
SIr-Tech SoItware, Inc.
I.O. Box 245
CharIeslovn Ogdenslurg MaII
Ogdenslurg NY 13669
(315) 393-6633
We are deIighled lo inforn one and aII
lhal Wizardry IV The Return of
Werdna, has leen reIeased in fornals for
the AppIe II conpuler faniIy. (Our in-
deplh reviev viII foIIov Ialer lhis year.)
We spenl a deIighlfuI aflernoon vilh lhe
ganes crealor, Roe R. Adans III, and
progranner, Rolerl Woodhead. These
individuaIs are responsilIe for nore fan-
lasy roIe-pIaying goodies and code for a
variely of syslens lhan nany enlire con-
panies. Roes credils incIude revievs edilor
for Softalk Magazine, gane edilor for
Computer Gaming World, and aulhor of
lhe Ultima lll and IV gane nanuaIs and
lhe lhird Wizardry nanuaI. Roe aIso
pIayed a very inporlanl roIe in lhe design
of Ultima IV and lhe iniliaI design vork
for The Bard's Tale I. Rolerl Woodhead is
lhe programing genius lehind Wizardry
IV and is aIso lhe co-crealor of lhe enlire-
Wizardry series. Bolh nen have ouldone
lhenseIves vilh lhe Ialesl scenario - a
ganers deIighl!
Ior lhree hours, ve sal enlhraIIed dur-
ing lhe denonslralion of Wizardry lV AII
shouId le advised lhal if you are nol al
least a slrong inlernediale or experienced
Wizardry ganer, you shouId vail lo pIay
lhis scenario unliI you have lhe firsl lvo
Wizardry scenarios under your leIl. This
is nol a gane lhal can le cracked in a
veek, one of lhe finesl conpuler ganers
in lhe Uniled Slales, RonaId Warlov,
required over 15O hours lo conpIele lhis
scenario.
We nusl aIso expIain lo our readers vhy
ve viII not offer any gane hinls lo Wiz-
ardry IV nov or in lhe fulure. There are
severaI reasons for lhis decision. Iirsl, Sir-
Tech Soflvare (Rolerl Woodheads con-
pany) viII le offering cerlificales of
acconpIishnenl lo lhose individuaIs vho
successfuIIy conpIele lhe gane. A Crand
Masler Cerlificale viII revard lhose in-
lrepid advenlurers vho conpIele lhe
86 FEBRUARY 1988
gane vilh a pIus nunler of keyslrokes
renaining lo lhen (nore on lhe keyslroke
counl Ialer). Second, fron vhal ve have
vilnessed, lhis is lruIy a ganers gane -
lo give any hinls avay vouId deslroy lhe
lolaI chaIIenge lhal vizardry IV repre-
senls. If you recaII lhe feeIing you had
vhen pIaying a conpuler advenlure gane
and finishing lhe scenario vilhoul oulside
heIp, Wizardry IV enlodies lhis sane
sense of happiness. Ior lhose of us vho
nighl have lecone a lil jaded vilh olher
conpulerized IRIC reIeases over lhe
years, lhe enjoynenl of finishing an ex-
lreneIy difficuIl gane shouId nol le lan-
pered vilh ly offering lenpling lidlils of
hinls. We vonl deslroy lhal sensalion for
everyone - especiaIIy ourseIves! Third,
ve pronised lolh Roe and Bol lhal ve
vouId nol Ieak hinls, lul vouId lry lo
offer ganing slralegies for pIayers lefore
lhey lecone engrossed vilh Wizardry IV
As a finaI nole, Sir-Tech viII le offering
unique leIephone supporl for hinls. Ior
exanpIe, you cannol receive hinls regard-
ing IeveI one unliI lhree veeks afler
youve purchased lhe gane. Ior dungeon
IeveIs one and lvo, you vonl le alIe lo
receive hinls unliI afler lhe fiflh veek of
advenluring. Sir-Tech leIieves lhal
advanced and inlernediale pIayers viII
have figured oul lhe IeveIs according lo
lheir eslalIished linelalIes, and lhe hinls
viII-heIp lhe novice advenlurer gel
lhrough a IeveI lefore lhe fruslralion
faclor causes a fool lo le Ievied againsl
lhe conpuler screen.
Donl expecl dynanile graphics. This is
an advenlure gane pIayed on far nore
IeveIs lhan lhe visuaI one. Do expecl vin-
doving, fron Werdna and his aIIies, lo lhe
opposing advenlurers, vilh graphic por-
lrayaI of each adversary advenlurer and,
in sone cases, a coIor inage of your Io-
caIe. You can pIay on lhe pureIy hack-and-
sIash IeveI, or go leyond vhal you see lo
vhal you feeI, and conpIele lhe offerings
cosnic IeveI. Wilh nuIlipIe endings, Wiz-
ardry IV adds anolher conponenl lo lhe
currenl slacks of roIe-pIaying ganes. This
is a nirror inage of olher Wizardry sce-
narios, in vhich lhe anlihero of lhe firsl
Wizardry scenario, Werdna, lecones lhe
pIayer. WhiIe you vere once lhe adven-
lurer enlering lhe dungeon lo defeal
Werdna, you nov pIay Werdna lrying lo
defeal lhe advenlurers, as you lallIe your
vay oul of lhe dungeon.
Over 5OO advenlurer characlers sulnil-
led lo Sir-Tech over lhe pasl severaI years
have found lheir vay inlo lhis fourlh
scenario, each allenpling lo haIl Werdnas
escape. They confronl you, and you nusl
eIininale lhen as you nake your vay up
lhrough lhe 10 knovn dungeon IeveIs.
This is a sland-aIone dungeon, and pIayers
shouId have lhe firsl scenarios Proving
Grounds of the Mad Overlord) nanuaI lo
acconpany pIay. Sir-Tech viII seII lhal
nanuaI lo you, shouId you need il lo pIay
Wizardry IV
There is no characler crealion, and no
need lo purchase veaponry or olher
ilens. You are Werdna, vho has Iain upon
his funeraI lier for heaven knovs hov
Iong - Werdna, one of lhe nosl despised
and eviI vizards ever lo haunl a fIoppy.
You slarl lhe scenario conpIeleIy veapon-
Iess and vilhoul lhe pover lo casl a singIe
speII, and you are ralher chiIIy, for you are
lolaIIy naked. This, of course, neans lhal
you are quile susceplilIe lo lodiIy injury.
The one nelhod ly vhich you can
counler such veaknesses is lo recruil
friends as soon as possilIe. These friends
consisl of lhe nonslers your advenlurers
have lallIed in lhe firsl scenario. Renen-
ler lhe Challering Coins` They are nov
your aIIies. And, as you are lerefl of speII-
casling pover, lhe seIeclion of a Iriesl or
Magic-User nighl offer such skiIIs on your
side as you progress lhrough lhe dungeon.
These aIIies are requesled ly slepping
onlo penlagrans, vhich are found
lhroughoul lhe dungeon. Iarl of lhe
ganes conpIelion depends upon hov veII
you uliIize lhe NICs vho join you. You can
seIecl lhree groups of aIIies al a line, so
lear in nind lhe capaliIilies of sone of
lhe specific crealures you encounlered in
lhe firsl scenario, youII le alIe lo use
lhen lo leller your silualions if you
choose correclIy, discarding lhen lo gain
olhers of differing skiIIs vhen circun-
slances diclale lhe need for olher aliIilies.
We nenlioned lhe keyslroke counl
earIier. When you slarl lhe advenlure, one
niIIion keyslrokes are sel on lhe screen.
Lach line you press a key, one is deducled
fron lhis nunler. This nay seen Iike an
enornous nunler of keyslrokes vilh
vhich lo finish lhe gane - lul il isnl! We
had Werdna arise fron lhe lier, find lhe
firsl penlagran, and requesl lhree accon-
pIice groups, vhich used 11 keyslrokes in
Iess lhan lvo ninules.
IorlunaleIy for aII, Rolerl Woodhead has
seen fil lo incIude a Save Cane fealure lhal
is accessilIe al any poinl in lhe gane (haIIe-
Iujah!). Nov, lhere is no need lo Ieave lhe
dungeon sinpIy lo save lhe gane, lhen
spend an hour and a haIf lo relurn lo lhe
IocaIe vhere you Iefl lhe advenlure, lo
conlinue pursuil of your goaIs. Donl forgel
lhis fealure in lhe heal of ganing!
Hovever, lhe Save Cane fealure isnl
free of cosl. When you save a gane, lhal
neans you, as Werdna, are acluaIIy resling
and laking care of yourseIf. WeII, lhe sane
appIies lo your adversaries. When you
save a gane, lhe Cuardians and lhe Ad-
venlurers are aIso going lo resl, neaning
lhey are relurned lo fuII slrenglh lo lheir
Iocalions vilhin lhe dungeon IeveI you
occupy. As you can see, lhe Save Cane
fealure shouId onIy le used afler one
conpIele dungeon IeveI has leen napped
and lhe opponenls vilhin lhal IeveI eradi-
caled. Once you have, cIeared aII encoun-
lers oul of a-dungeon IeveI, lhey are lruIy
gone! There are no nore randon crea-
lures aflervard, aIIoving you lo nap lhal
IeveI conpIeleIy vilhoul inlerference unliI
you resl (Save Cane). So, despile ils con-
venience, lhoughl is required as lo vhen a
gane shouId acluaIIy le saved.
The puzzIes and nazes are nonIinear.
This neans youII le ascending and de-
scending IeveIs lhroughoul lhe advenlure
sinpIy lo soIve a parlicuIar puzzIe (or
perhaps lhree or four puzzIes al a line).
Assislance for soIving puzzIes is luiIl inlo
lhe gane, as lhe Wandering OracIe of
Mron occasionaIIy slunlIes across your
palh. In order lo eIicil infornalion fron
lhe OracIe, you nusl lrap il - lul lhe
OracIe doesnl hoId sliII! You have lo chase
il dovn, and lhe OracIe sonelines runs
lhrough areas lhal have an expIosive ef-
fecl on your hil poinls. There are lines
vhen ulnosl care is required, and olher
lines vhen lolaI alandonnenl of caulion
is necessary. If you nanage lo lrap lhe
OracIe, you can requesl a hinl - lul lhe
hinls cosl noney. Thus, if you have no
noney, you're oul of Iuck - or eIse you
nusl use lhe charge card lhal you find
Ialer on in lhe gane lo charge lhe hinl lo
your liII. The OracIe has aloul 4O hinls
lhal you can luy.
Of parlicuIar concern lo you as Werdna
is lhe facl lhal Trelor - vho vas annihi-
Ialed in lhe firsl scenario - is lack lo
haunl your every slep. Trelor is on lhe
hunl, and as lhe ghosl gels cIoser and
cIoser, nessages pop up on your screen.
The lone of each nessage indicales hov
cIose Trelor is, and you viII cerlainIy vish
lo avoid his cIulching grasp al aII cosls!
ShouId dealh lake Werdna, vhich ve can
guaranlee viII happen over and over again
unliI lhe slralegy is acquired for success,
you donl have lo relool lhe gane.
Werdna is relurned lo his lier lo legin
again, or for you lo reslarl lhe scenario
fron ils saved-gane slalus.
Lach IeveI of lhe dungeon is lhenalic
and progressive. Iassage lhrough dungeon
IeveIs one lo lhree is considered lhe lulo-
riaI phase of lhe dungeon. These inlro-
duclory IeveIs are jusl as deadIy as lhe
upper regions, lul require Iess napping.
The inlernediale and experl IeveIs range
upvard fron lhere, lul donl forgel - lhe
puzzIes are nonIinear. }usl lecause youre
on IeveI six doesnl nean you vonl need
sonelhing fron IeveI lvo.
As Roe so aplIy slaled in our neeling,
Never has a nage had so nuch fun. This
is cerlainIy lrue of Wizardry lV There are
a variely of goodies lhroughoul lhe
dungeon lhal Werdna can relrieve, fron a
variely of nagic caps and foolvear, lo
slaffs and polions. The reaI lrick resls in
Werdna knoving vhal lo use for a parlic-
uIar silualion, and in nainlaining cooI
lhoughl processes al aII lines. As your eviI
vizard does nol allain experience poinls,
lhe enlire gane revoIves around success-
fuI escape fron lhe dungeon vhere he has
leen inprisoned. Over 1OOK of superlIy
vrillen prose is in lhe gane, affording lhe
pIayer fanlaslicaIIy descriled IocaIes,
nessages, and lhe Iike, vhich viII oflen
lring a sniIe lo your face.
We havenl seen anolher advenlure
DRAGON 87
gane Iike Wizardry lV lhis offering couId
renain a lesl of a conpuler ganers skiII
as nuch as 2O years in lhe fulure. If you
successfuIIy conpIele Wizardry IV youII
deserve lhe cerlificale and viII le knovn
as one of ganings eIile pIayers. We viII
reporl on lhe gane in nore deplh (vilh-
oul giving lhe gane avay) afler ve receive
our reviev copy. If you lhink youre expe-
rienced enough, good enough, and gulsy
enough, Wizardry IV The Return of
Werdna, is lhe lesl lel in years for your
ganing doIIar.
StrategIc SImuIatIons, Inc.
1O46 Norlh Rengslorff Avenue
Mounlain Viev CA 94O43-1716
(415} 964-1353
Feature RevIew
Phuntuoie 111
****
Lxhausled and opposed ly superior
forces, our posilion seened hopeIess -
even desperale. Nol onIy had ve leen
unalIe lo neel vilh Lord Wood, lul a
ralher unlineIy allack ly lhe forces of
LviI caughl us unavare. Had Brolher Duff
nol so adroilIy casl a Resurreclion speII,
Ioolpad nighl never have risen fron lhe
fieId of lallIe. The heroic engagenenl
underlaken ly lolh Ironsnylh and BIud,
vho feII upon our surprised foes vilh a
pike and a + 5 svord, loughl us line lo
fIee. The TroIIs feII lack confused, nol
expecling such a nonenlous offense fron
onIy lvo of our group. Ironsnylh and
BIud sIashed and heved TroII arns and
Iegs, lashed heads, and skevered lodies
as ve fIed lhe area. Had il nol leen for lhe
nearly safely of lhe viIIage of Lansing, ny
pen vouId have Iong ago leen sliIIed. Our
dvarven ranger Ironsnylh and gnoII
fighler BIud vere leIeporled oul of con-
lal ly our vizard,
88 FEBRUARY 1988
Aessopp. Their vounds vere effecliveIy
lrealed vilh polion and speII. Their heroisn
ensured lhe conlinuance of our quesl!
So vrole LIIvyIIy, eIfin nonk and nen-
ler of our advenluring parly vhose un-
derlaking vas lo haIl, once and for aII, lhe
onsIaughl of lhe Dark Lord Nikadenus in
his allenpl lo conquer lhe enlire vorId.
This is lhe lhird and Ialesl Phantasie scen-
ario fron Slralegic SinuIalions. Phantasie
III, the Wrath of Nikademus, is far nore
conpIex lhan lhe previous Phantasie sce-
narios vhich Iay lhe foundalion for lhis
fanlasy roIe-pIaying advenlure. YouII find
your characlers invoIved in a var of vils
and conlal nol onIy in lhe nornaI vorId,
lul in lolh lhe IIanes of Lighl and Dark-
ness, vhere sone of lhe nosl poverfuI
crealures youve ever encounlered viII le
nel. Ior lhose vho have lecone en-
lroiIed in eilher Phantasie I or Phantasie
II, lhe good nevs is lhal characlers cre-
aled for lhose ganes can le inporled inlo
Phantasie III.
The version ve have lecone nosl faniI-
iar vilh is lhe AppIe II fornal, vhich ve
operale on an AppIe IICS conpuler. The
graphics are Iike lhose of lhe AppIe II, and
lhe speed of pIay is sIoved vhenever a
screen refresh occurs. Once you gel accus-
loned lo lhe lIocky graphics (vhich is
onIy a reaI prolIen for lhose of us vho
are used lo graphics specificaIIy designed
for lhe IICS, Alari ST or Connodore
Aniga), you shouId le pIeased vilh lhe
screen dispIay.
AII of lhe necessary infornalion for
successfuI advenluring is offered for in-
nediale consideralion. The lop vindov,
vhich enconpasses approxinaleIy one-
lhird of lhe screen, conlains infornalion
on each of your six characlers. The char-
aclers nane highIighls each coIunn, vilh
lhe nuneric assignnenls Iisling: lhe char-
aclers cIass, lhe nunler of currenl and
lolaI possilIe nagic poinls, lhe nunler of
hil poinls renaining lo lhe characler, and
lhe lolaI nunler of hil poinls possilIe.
The nagic poinls and hil poinls are crilicaI
slalislics lhal nusl aIvays le considered
vhen faced vilh a specific aclion.
Benealh lhese slalislics, your six charac-
lers are each dispIayed as a separale slick
figure. The slick figure represenls lhe
head, arns, lorso, and Iegs, vhen a spe-
cific parl of lhe analony is injured, lro-
ken, or olhervise danaged ly a hosliIe
veapon or nagicaI allack, such is indi-
caled direclIy on lhe slick figure. To lhe
righl of each slick figure is infornalion
regarding lhal characlers specific heaIlh,
ranging fron OKAY lo CONL. The Ialler
reading can le cause for aIarn, as your
lesl lovnan is of IillIe use lo you if his
righl or Iefl arn has leen renoved fron
his lody. UnalIe lo ain and reIease ar-
rovs, lhe characler can do IillIe nore
lhan parry. ShouId he possess a fev nagic
speIIs, use can sliII le nade of any offen-
sive or defensive nagics, as an arn is nol
required lo casl a speII. Does lhis sound
sonevhal caIIous` Ierhaps, lul vhen you
consider lhe enlire parly is needed lo
defeal Nikadenus, each nenler pIays an
inporlanl roIe lhal cannol le negaled
sinpIy lecause a parl of his lody has leen
danaged.
IorlunaleIy, lhere are heaIing speIIs and
heaIing polions lhal can repair such dan-
age. UnforlunaleIy, such speIIs and polions
are exlreneIy rare connodilies unliI lhe
parly gains experience and visils sone of
lhe nore difficuIl dungeons and cilies.
UnliI you nanage lo gel leyond lhe novice
slage, renain vary, fighl veII, and fIee
vhen necessary!
The cenler vindov of lhe gane screen
conlains infornalion on your currenl
geographicaI Iocalion (such as lhe hiIIs)
and vhal area of Scandor your parly
inhalils. A 5 X 5 grid is IaleIed A lo L for
vesl lo easl, and given Ronan nuneraIs I
lo V for norlh lo soulh. If you read vin-
dov D-III in lhe area seclion, you are
nore easl lhan vesl, and nore soulh lhan
norlh. The vindov lo lhe righl of lhe area
infornalion is a nessage vindov. When
you encounler anylhing, or if your parly
nenlers iniliale an aclion, a nessage
appears here inforning you of vhals
going on.
The Iover lhird of lhe screen dispIay is
nore graphic in nalure. There are lvo
lypes of graphic dispIays: one for lhe
ouldoors and one for dungeons. Ior oul-
door advenluring, lhe Iefl vindov reveaIs
lhe lerrain vhere you are Iocaled, vilh
differenl coIors and pallerns indicaling
palhs, deserls, grassIands, foresl, noun-
lains, hiIIs, rivers, Iakes, or seas. If vilhin
a dungeon, lhis vindov shovs lhe nean-
dering corridors and roons of lhe IocaIe
as you find lhen. In olher vords, lhis
vindov aulonalicaIIy naps your dungeon
for you. When you Ieave lhe dungeon, you
have lhe oplion of saving lhe dungeons
slalus. Thus, if you relurn lo lhis IocaIe
again (vhich viII definitely le necessary),
lhe dungeon as far as you expIored il
renains napped.
We ran inlo a prolIen here. In lvo
inslances invoIving lhe firsl dungeon
Iocaled jusl leyond lhe loundaries of lhe
lovn of Iendragon, lhe dungeon did nol
renain napped, even afler ve requesled
lhe dungeon slalus le saved. This oc-
curred afler our characlers neandered
aloul lhe counlryside and invesligaled
olher dungeons. This Ieads us lo leIieve
lhere nighl le a luiIl-in line faclor in lhe
gane. Because of lhis line faclor, if you
donl revisil a saved dungeon afler so
nany disk accesses, lhe napping is Iosl.
The vindov in lhe righl Iover lhird of
lhe screen represenls your advenluring
parly. The order of lhe nanes al lhe lop of
lhe screen is dupIicaled vilh a graphic
characler in lhis vindov. Wilh Phantasie
III, you have lhe oplion of ranged con-
lal, neaning you can pIace your charac-
lers in one of lhree posilions for conlal
purposes. We found lhal lhe heavy duly
90 FEBRUARY 1988
fighlers shouId renain in fronl, vhiIe lhe
nosl accurale lovnen and your nagic-
users viII do veII in lhe lack rov vhere
lhey can le prolecled fron lhe sIings and
arrovs of oulrageous forlune ly lhe nore
heaviIy arnored fighlers in lhe fronl rov.
The parly arrangenenl can onIy le
insliluled during an encounler. Ior exan-
pIe, see lhe Iover screen shol on page 82
of DRACON issue #126. Here, your parly
has jusl nel a group of four Cnone Mages
and one Cnone Lord. The nenu oplions
dispIayed indicale vhal your group can do
al lhis line. UnliI your group is experi-
enced, seIeclion #5 (ILLL) is one lo con-
sider. Hovever, one nusl keep in nind
lhal fIighl aIIovs lhe eneny a free allack
al your parly. If your land has IillIe lrea-
sure or goId in ils possession, seIeclion #4
(BLC MLRCY) can le a good seIeclion, espe-
ciaIIy vhen faced ly superior forces. A
surprising nunler of ouldoor encounlers
can le deaIl vilh ly seIecling #3 (CRLLT).
The characlers encounlered and greeled
sinpIy relurn your friendship and Ieave
you aIone lo pursue olher inleresls. SeIec-
lion #2 (ACCLIT SURRLNDLR) shouId never le
allenpled unliI lhe odds have leen vhil-
lIed dovn a vee lil in your favor during
conlal. We have found lhal lhe higher-
order crealures rareIy, if ever, surrender.
In any evenl, you shouIdnl have lo vorry
aloul lhen unliI you lecone experienced
advenlurers and find yourseIf in conlal
in advenlures in lhe norlhern reaches of
Scandor. (UnliI you are experienced, re-
nain soulh!)
SeIeclion #1 (IICHT) is lhe nenu con-
nand you viII le accessing nosl of lhe
line (and vilh good reason, for vilhoul
lhe lallIe, lhere is no renuneralion as far
as acquiring goId or lreasure). When you
seIecl #I, lhe foIIoving conlal nenu
appears:
1. Thrust (with melee weapon): You gel
one soIid sving al lhe opposilion. If you
hil, lhe danage caused is usuaIIy one lo
lvo poinls nore lhan any olher lype of
allack.
2. Attack (with melee weapon): Now you
are alIe lo lake lvo nornaI svings al your
adversary. Hovever, if your characler
doesnl have a high allack percenlage
raling, lhe characler viII Thrusl inslead
This is governed ly lhe conpuler.
3. Slash (with melee weapon): You are
given an opporlunily lo nake as nany as
four quick lIovs againsl lhe eneny. Nor-
naIIy, any hil vilh lhis node resuIls in
one lo lvo fever hil poinls of danage
leing done lhan usuaI.
4. Lunge (with melee weapon): OnIy a
fighler can uliIize lhis connand, vhich
enalIes your varrior-lype lo allenpl an
allack on lhe second rank of opposing
crelins. This is a nornaI sving and carries
nornaI danage poinls.
5. Aim (melee weapon at a vital body
area): This is our favorile allack, il enalIes
your characler lo lake a sving al eilher
lhe head or lorso of an opponenl. AI-
lhough lhere is Iess IikeIihood of a con-
firned slrike, you cause nore hil-poinl
danage lhan usuaI lo lhe eneny vhen
you do hil.
6. Spell (cast a spell): Any advenlurer
possessing speIIs vho has lhe required
nunler of nagic poinls can casl any con-
lal or olher speII vilh lhe press of lhis
key. YouII le asked lhe speII nunler of
lhe nagic desired, and viII have lo largel
lhe speII lo lhe appropriale rank of lhe
onconing naslies.
7. Parry (with a shield): This is a nelhod
of defense highIy praised ly characlers
vho can no Ionger fighl due lo lroken
Iinls and lhe Iike. When seIecled, lhe
characler onscreen raises his shieId lo
defIecl any onconing lIovs. The shieId
defIeclion decreases lhe danage caused ly
an allack and nakes lhal characler harder
lo hil. This is a connand lhal a vizard in
lhe lack rov nighl use vhen he has
expended aII of his nagic poinls. }usl
renenler lo nake cerlain lhal lhe person
vho is using lhis connand acluaIIy pos-
sesses a shieId!
8. Fire (a bow): Ior lhose characlers
vilh lovs, lhis is a fanlaslic opporlunily
lo gel in your Iicks vilhoul laking fronl-
rov chances! We found lhal increasing all
characlers archery capaliIilies cane in
handy, as posilions vere svilched severaI
lines during conlal, lased on lhe nun-
ler of hil poinls renaining lo characlers.
Wilh lov-accuracy speIIs and lov-firing
capaliIilies, lhose characlers vho can no
Ionger suslain fronl-rov conlal can lar-
gel lhe eneny fron lhe lack rov and rain
IelhaI arrovs al viII.
9. Other (options): This seclion lrings
anolher nenu onscreen. The seIeclions in
lhis secondary nenu consisl of:
A. Back: This connand pIaces your
advenlurer al lhe rear of lhe parly.
B. Middle: This connand pIaces your
advenlurer in lhe niddIe ranks, lhus
aIIoving a nornaI chance lo hil and le hil.
C. Front: This connand pIaces your
advenlurer in lhe firsl rank, lhus aIIoving
lhe grealesl chance lo hil or le hil.
D. Time Lag: This connand defines lhe
Ienglh of line conlal nessages renain
onscreen.
L. Redo: This is lhe Whoops, I nade a
nislake oplion. This oplion aIIovs lhe
pIayer lo redo aII of lhe assigned conlal
oplions.
Il is inporlanl lo renenler lhal dealh is
ever-presenl in Phantasie lll. When your
hil poinls reach zero, lhals aII she vrole
on lhe pages of lhe Iife-hislory look.
Theres no aIIovance nade for slored
energy reserves lhal aIIov for negalive hil
poinls. The onIy vay lack fron lhe dead
is ly a Resurreclion speII, vhich is ralher
coslIy in lhal il onIy relurns an advenlurer
fron lhe dead (i.e., a characlers hil poinls
are sliII nissing, neaning lhal addilionaI
polions or heaIing speIIs are required lo
lring lhe characler lack lo fuII slrenglh).
Differenl injuries require differenl
forns of nagicaI care. Ior exanpIe, our
lhief Ioolpad received sone nasly lIovs
in conlal earIy in lhe gane. One lIov
renoved his righl arn, vilh GONE leing
indicaled in his heaIlh slalislics. This
neanl lhal Ioolpad couId no Ionger fire
his lov, vhich vas his finesl laIenl. Wilh
an arn gone, onIy a Third LeveI HeaIing
SpeII or HeaIing Iolions #7 lhrough #9
couId lake care of his injury. Resling al lhe
Inn in any of lhe lovns onIy reslores as
nuch as one Break or lvo Injuries, lul
does nolhing for parls lhal are gone! As a
resuIl, nagicaI heaIing vas Ioolpads onIy
hope. As il vas sliII earIy in lhe advenlure,
nuch nore advenluring pn our parl vas
required lo Iocale a dungeon lhal pos-
sessed a Third LeveI HeaIing SpeII, as veII
as an arnory in a viIIage lhal soId a HeaI-
ing Iolion #7. To nake nallers vorse, lvo
olher advenlurers aIso succunled lo lhe
GONE syndrone lecause of lhoughlIess
connands on our parl. IorlunaleIy, lhese
characlers forgave us as ve noved
lhrough Scandor.
Ihanlasie III has greal deplh. IiInon,
vho is Iocaled in lhe Iendragon Archives
(lhe firsl dungeon), assigns specific quesls
for you lo conpIele. Once you successfuIIy
finish lhese IillIe lrips, relurning lo IiInon
revards you vilh addilionaI assignnenls.
Lach assignnenl is neanl lo prepare you
for lhe finaI encounler vilh lhe Dark Lord
Nikadenus. Here are a fev lineIy hinls lo
heIp you aIong your vay:
1. When neeling annoying crealures
ouldoors, aIvays GREET lhen firsl. (You
never knov, lhey nighl Iike you!)
2. The Dvarven BuriaI Crounds are a
greal pIace lo ollain leller veapons.
3. The viper in lhe Cnone Calaconls is
nol easiIy dislracled, lhen again, nolhing is
inpossilIe.
4. The IIane of Lighl and lhe IIane of
Dark are conpIele opposiles.
5. The Undead are nol very fearfuI.
6. Selling off lraps can sonelines le
usefuI.
7. The VaIIey Cianls are nol onIy lough,
lhey are aIso speII-caslers.
As a finaI nole, lhoughl usuaIIy vorks
lesl in any silualion. Donl dash headIong
vilhoul pausing lo give your lrain a
chance lo pIay. Phantasie III is an ex-
lreneIy addicling fanlasy roIe-pIaying
advenlure, despile ils graphic-dispIay
dravlack. We hope lhe gane viII le
reIeased in a lrue AppIe IICS, Alari ST, or
Connodore Aniga fornal.
News and new products
Broderbund SoItware
17 IauI Drive
San RafaeI CA 949O3-21O1
{415} 492-3200
Ians of lhe Ultima advenlure series and
lhe Autoduel and Ogre soflvare ganes
fron Origin Syslens viII nov find lhese
offerings dislriluled ly Broderlund,
foIIoving an affiIialed IaleI agreenenl
vhich look effecl on Augusl 8, 1987. Ori-
gin Syslens had previousIy leen dislril-
uled ly LIeclronic Arls. Ultima V, lhe
nevesl of lhe Ultima advenlures, vas
reIeased Iasl year in fornals for lhe AppIe
II conpuler faniIy (priced al $59.95).
EIectronIc Arts
182O Calevay Drive
San Maleo CA 944O4
{415} 571-7171
MInI-RevIew
Son1on
* * * *
A producl of lhe Amazing Software
enlerlainnenl soflvare Iine fron LIec-
lronic Arls, Sanxion is a shool-'en-up
arcade gane vilh graphics lhalII knock
your socks off! The screen dispIay is
anazing, you nol onIy ollain a side viev
of your Sanxion varship and lhe lerrain in
lhree dinensions, lul you aIso have an
overviev of lhe aclion as il is occurring.
Requiring 128K of RAM, lhe fun slarls as
soon as lhe progran is Ioaded. You conlroI
lhe Sanxion varship vilh your joyslick as
you fIy over rugged lerrain. You nusl
valch oul for eneny varships lhal have
lul one goaI: lo deslroy you! IorlunaleIy,
you are arned. UnforlunaleIy, so are lhey.
The hosliIes cone al your ship al differenl
speeds, and sone of lhese hosliIes have
speciaI fealures. One eneny ship, for
inslance, Iooks Iike a vorn vilh a lIue
head, and canl le deslroyed unliI you hil
ils head vilh your ovn ships Iaser lean a
conseculive nunler of lines. Olher ships
svarn, naking il very difficuIl for you lo
deslroy lhen aII. Lneny pods cone fIying
in fron lhe opposile side of lhe screen,
each vilh lhe oljeclive of coIIiding vilh
your Sanxion varship. IorlunaleIy, lhe
olservanl piIol can avoid lhen vilh sone
joyslick dexlerily.
The lasic design of lhe aIien ships varies
fron seclor lo seclor, one vave has lhe
appearance of donul rings, vhiIe in lhe
nexl seclor lhe eneny ships Iook Iike
rockels. You can evade lhe eneny ly
piIoling your ship fasler lo lypass lhese
svarns of dealh.
When you conpIele a seclor ly deslroy-
ing or lypassing lhe aIien vesseIs, you
enler a lraining course vhere you deslroy
vhal appear lo le fIying coins, lhus re-
ceiving lonus poinls as a revard. Afler a
presel anounl of line has passed, you
coIIecl your lonus poinls and nove on lo
lhe nexl seclor. When you have success-
fuIIy conpIeled 1O seclors, you fIy lo lhe
Dark Side, vhere you nusl deaI vilh lhe
aIiens secondary force of varships.
This gane uliIizes lhe Connodores
graphics lo lheir ulnosl polenliaI. Lven
lhe delaiI of having your ships vings rock
lack and forlh in fIighl is presenl. If you
vouId enjoy an arcade gane al an afforda-
lIe price of $19.95 - one lhal ouldazzIes
olher offerings in graphics and pIay - lhis
is il. The scenery is lerrific, and lhe nusic
and sound effecls are lrenendous. LIec-
lronic Arls has deIivered anolher hil!
The CIue Corner
Those vho are pIaying Dark Castle fron
SiIicon Beach Soflvare on lhe Macinlosh
nusl reaIize ly nov lhal lhere are five
IeveIs of advenlure. If you conlinue lo pIay
afler finishing off lhe fiflh IeveI, youII
nole lhal aII youre gelling is a rerun of
lhal IeveI, unliI you run oul of Iives vilh
vhich lo parry lhe eviIs on lhal IeveI.
Ior inlrepid Shadowgate advenlurers
vho jusl canl figure oul vhal lo do aloul
lhe fair naiden in lhe righl-hand lover
(vho lurns oul lo le nol so fair afler aII),
lry using lhe inpIenenl forged of a pre-
cious nelaI lhal you found on lhe Iedge.
Ior pIayers invoIved in ||crna| Dagger
advenluring vho have nade il lo lhe
Necronancer Dungeon, LeveI 1, heres
sone crilicaIIy inporlanl advice: The door
lhal Ieads lo lhe arena is trapped. AIso, if
lhe Iealhered CIoak is of inleresl lo you,
seek oul a lover in lhe norlhvesl corner
of lhe LIven IsIand.
Bards Ta|c | parlies shouId nol ignore
lhe ullerings of a Magic Moulh in
Mangars LeveI One. The vords spoken
are necessary for leIeporlalion lo lhe
second IeveI al anolher poinl in lhis IeveI.
Bards Ta|c || advenlurers vho have
nade il lo lhe Crey Crypl shouId valch
for a lunch of vraparound nagic. AIso on
lhis IeveI, consider lhe novenenl of a
valch as a guide.
If you are lruIy enanored vilh a specific
conpuler gane, your laIIol noninaling
lhal gane as lhe lesl one of 1987 for lhal
syslen is of inleresl lo us. SinpIy vrile
your ovn nane and address, lhe nane of
lhe gane, and lhe syslen on vhich you
pIay lhe gane on a poslcard or in a Ieller,
and naiI your correspondence lo:
HarlIey and Ialricia Lesser
179 IellIe IIace
San Ranon CA 94583
We ask lhal you do nol leIephone us. If
you have any connenls aloul a specific
gane, send lhen vilh your vole. And
donl forgel: Were sliII Iooking for gane
hinls fron you ganers, and viII pulIish
lhe lesl ve receive each nonlh.
DRAGON 91
92 FEBRUARY 1988
DRAGON 93
CONVENTION
CALENDAR
Convention Calendar Policies
This column is offered as a service to our
readers around the world. Anyone may
place a free listing for a game convention
here, but the following guidelines must be
observed.
In order to ensure that all convention
listings contain accurate and timely infor-
mation, all material should be either typed
double-spaced or printed legibly on 8 X
11 paper. The contents of each listing
should be short, succinct, and under 150
words long.
The information given in the listing must
include the following information, in the
following order:
1. Convention title and dates held;
2. Site and location;
3. Guests of honor (if applicable);
4. Special events offered;
5. Registration fees or attendance re-
quirements; and,
6. Address(es) and telephone number(s)
where additional information and confirma-
tion can be obtained.
Convention flyers, brochures, newslet-
ters, and other mass-mailed announce-
ments run the risk of not being considered
for use in this column; we prefer to see a
cover letter with the announcement as well.
No call-in listings are accepted. Domestic
and foreign conventions are welcome.
WARNING: We are not responsible for
incorrect informatlon sent to us by conven-
tion staff members. Please check your
convention listing carefully! Our wide
circulation ensures that over a quarter of a
million readers see each issue. Accurate
information is your responsibility!
Convention listings should be mailed by
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Calendar, DRAGON Magazine, PO. Box
110, Lake Geneva WI 53147. Copy dead-
line dates are the last Monday of each
month, two months prior to the on-sale
date of an issue. For example, the copy
deadline for the July 1988 issue is the last
Monday of May 1988. Plan ahead; early
listings pay off!
If a convention listing must be changed
because the convention has been can-
celled, the dates have changed, or incor-
rect information has been printed, please
contact us immediately! For any ques-
tions-or changes related to this column,
please call either Robin Jenkins or Roger
E. Moore at TSR, Inc., at (414) 248-3625.
* indicales
indicales
Canadian convenlion.
Luropean convenlion.
CONTINUITY, February 12-14
This science-ficlion and fanlasy convenlion
viII lake pIace al lhe HoIiday Inn MedicaI Cenler
94 FEBRUARY 1988
in Birninghan, AIa. }o CIaylon and Rolerl
McCannon are guesls of honor, Sharon Well is
loaslnasler, VaI and Ron Lindahn are arlisl
guesls, and HaI }ones is conics guesl. Science
guesls viII le provided ly lhe Universily of
AIalana al Birninghan and ly NASA. SpeciaI
evenls incIude a shorl-slory conlesl, coslune
conlesl, video roon, open ganing, Sociely for
Crealive Anachronisns denonslralions, a
Iuncheon, lrivia conlesl, Cosnic Casino, and
larol readings. Regislralion fees are $25. AII
checks or noney orders shouId le nade pay-
alIe lo CONTINUITY. Wrile lo: CONTINUITY,
IO. Box 553O2-53O2, Birninghan AL 35255-
5302; or caII: (2O5) 328-3664.
DUNDRACON XII FANTASY
ROLE-PLAYING AND PLAY-BY-MAIL
GAME CONVENTION, February 12-15
HeId al lhe OakIand Airporl HiIlon HoleI in
OakIand, CaIif., lhis ganing convenlion viII
fealure a variely of evenls incIuding lourna-
nenl and open ganing, a ninialures-painling
conlesl, SCA denonslralions, a fIea narkel, and
a deaIers roon. This years evenls viII aIso
incIude a pIay-ly-naiI Mini-Con fealuring a
nunler of guesls and Iive versions of favorile
IBM ganes. Regislralion fees are $25 (or $1O
per day). Ior delaiIs, vrile lo: DUNDRACON,
386 AIcalraz, OakIand CA 94618.
GENGHIS CON IX, February 12-14
}oin lhe Horde as CLNCHIS CON IX noves lo
vinler quarlers al lhe Airporl HiIlon in Denver,
CoIo. This convenlion is sponsored ly lhe Den-
ver Caners Associalion and lhe CoIorado MiIi-
lary Hislorians. Lvenls incIude aII varielies of
loard, ninialures, conpuler, and roIe-pIaying
ganes. The ever-popuIar gane auclion viII
nake anolher appearance lhis year. SpeciaI
ganing evenls incIude conpelilions in VICTORY
IN THL IACIIIC, TITAN, CIVILIZATION, KINC-
MAKLR, and ADVANCLD SQUAD LLADLR. The
CoIorado MiIilary Hislorians viII aIso sponsor
one of lhe firsl quaIifying rounds for lhe WRC
Ancienls NalionaI Chanpionships. Regislralion
is $15. Wrile lo: Denver Caners Associalion,
IO. Box 2945, LillIelon CO 8O161.
ORCCON 11, February 12-15
This ganing convenlion viII le heId al lhe Los
AngeIes Airporl Hyall HoleI. RoIe-pIaying,
vargane, conpuler gane, and faniIy loard
gane lournanenls are offered, as veII as vari-
ous seninars and denonslralions, a fIea narkel,
a gane auclion, and an exhililors area. Wrile
lo: ORCCON 11, c/o DTI, IO. Box 8399, Long
Beach CA 9O8O8, or caII: (213) 42O-3675.
FAL * CON I, February 19-21
This ganing convenlion viII le heId al lhe
Hovard }ohnson Convenlion Cenler in Merid-
ian, Miss. Cuesls of honor viII incIude Sleve
}ackson, Dave MiIIer, IhiI IogIio, and Rolerl
Asprin. ScheduIed evenls incIude an RICA
Nelvork AD&D gane lournanenl, open
ganing, a video roon, lIacksnilhing, cIolh-
veaving, and pollery denonslralions, an arl
shov and auclion, a nasquerade parly, an SCA
denonslralion, and nuch nore. Menlership
rales are $2O for lhe enlire veekend. Inleresled
ganers nay send lheir checks, noney orders,
or infornalion requesls lo: IAL*CON, IO. Box
47O7, Meridian MS 393O4.
NOT-A-CON, February 20-21
This nini-convenlion viII le heId al lhe IaI-
nello BaII Roon on lhe CIenson Universily
canpus in CIenson, S.C. Aclivilies viII incIude
an AD&D gane lournanenl, a CHAMIIONS
gane lournanenl, and a ninialures-painling
conlesl. Ior delaiIs, caII: (8O3) 656-665O.
CONTEMPLATION SS, February 26-2S
This science-ficlion, fanlasy, and ganing
convenlion viII le heId al lhe Ranada Inn in
CoIunlia, MO. Cuesls of honor incIude }erry
and Rolerla IourneIIe, and Larry Niven. }.R.
DanieIs is lhe arlisl guesl of honor, and Keilh
Berdak is fan guesl of honor. Lvenls incIude an
arl shov and auclion, paneIs, a nasquerade, a
video roon, a huckslers roon, and ganes.
Menlership fees are $14. Wrile lo: CONTLM-
ILATION, I.O. Box 7242, CoIunlia MO 652O5.
CREATURECON SS, February 26-2S
Sponsored ly The Crealure Shop, lhis ganing
convenlion viII le heId al lhe Ice House BaII
Roon al lhe corner of W. LIdorado and Van
Dyke in Decalur, III. Iealured evenls incIude
lvo ninialures-painling conlesls, RICA
TM
Nel-
vork lournanenls (incIuding AD&D, MARVLL
SUILR HLROLS, and TRAVLLLLR ganes),
open ganing, fanlasy draving conlesls, science-
ficlion ganes, a deaIers roon, an arl shov, an
auclion, Ieclures on fanlasy-ganing concepls
and on vriling fanlasy advenlures, and a nun-
ler of guesl aulhors and Ieclurers. Regislralion
is $15 lhrough Ielruary 2O, and $2O al lhe door.
Ireregislralion fees nusl le paid in advance ly
check or noney order, nade payalIe lo
CRLATURLCON 88. Ior lickels or delaiIs, send
an SASL lo: CRLATURLCON, IO. Box 2875,
Decalur IL 62526, or caII: (217) 875-1316.
UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE SS
February 26-2S
Sponsored ly lhe Universily of Saskalchevan
Caners CIul and The Wizards Corner, lhis
convenlion viII le heId in Roon 148 of lhe
IhorvaIdson BuiIding on lhe Universily of
Saskalchevan in Saskaloon. Lvenls incIude an
AD&D gane lournanenl vilh a grand prize of
$5O, a STAR ILLLT BATTLLS lournanenl vilh a
prize of $5O and a ninialures-painling conlesl.
The enlrance fees are: $8O for a lean of four in
lhe AD&D gane lournanenl, $1O for lhe STAR
ILLLT BATTLLS lournanenl, and, $1 for lhe
ninialures-painling conlesl. The prizes for lhese
evenls depend upon lhe nunler of leans
enlered. Wrile lo: The Wizards Corner, 8O1 C
Broadvay Avenue, Saskaloon, Saskalchevan,
CANADA S7N 1B5, or caII: (3O6) 934-4777.
BASHCON 'SS, March 4-6
Sponsored ly lhe Universily of ToIedo Benevo-
Ienl Advenlurers Slralegic Headquarlers, lhis
sixlh annuaI evenl viII le heId on lhe lhird
fIoor of lhe Universily of ToIedo Main Canpus
Sludenl Union in ToIedo, Ohio. This convenlion
viII fealure a hosl of evenls, incIuding a ganes
auclion, a ninialures-painling conlesl, a gane
exhililors and deaIers roon, an RICA Nel-
vork AD&D gane lournanenl, an AADA CAR
WARS lournanenl, a scheduIe of novies, as
veII as nore lhan 12O olher roIe-pIaying, loard,
and ninialures ganing fealures. Sleve }ackson
is lhe guesl of honor. Send an SASL lo: Sludenl
Aclivilies Office, UT-BASH, BASHCON, 28O1 W.
Bancrofl Slreel, ToIedo OH 436O6, or caII: (419)
537-4654.
JAXCON SOUTH 12, March 4-6
This 12lh annuaI ganing convenlion viII le
heId al lhe }acksonviIIe HoleI on lhe RivervaIk
in }acksonviIIe, IIa. Minialures, loard gane, and
roIe-pIaying gane evenls viII le heId, as veII as
a Iarge deaIers roon, a fIea narkel, lourna-
nenls, novies, door prizes, and nore. Regislra-
lion is $18 al lhe door. DeaIers shouId vrile lo:
}AXCON SOUTH 12, Depl. D., IO. Box 4423,
}acksonviIIe IL 322O1. Wrile lo: }AXCON
SOUTH, Depl. A., IO. Box 4423, }acksonviIIe IL
322O1, or caII: (9O4) 772-9O4O lelveen 7 and 9
P.M. onIy.
CALCON III, March 11-13 *
This roIe-pIaying, loard, and ninialures-
ganing convenlion viII le heId al lhe CIennore
Inn in CaIgary, AIlerla, Canada. Sponsored
evenls incIude a najor AD&D lournanenl
($25O firsl-pIace prize offered), TUNNLLS &
TROLLS ganes, a Monly HaII Bake-off Lxlrava-
ganza, CALL OI CTHULHU ganes, and a hosl
of ninor lournanenls. Olher evenls incIude an
auclion, ninialures conpelilions, a ninialures-
painling conlesl, LAZLR TAC ganes, inlros and
denos of nany RIC syslens, and nuch nore.
Regislralion is $7 unliI March 1, or $1O lhereaf-
ler. Ior delaiIs, vrile lo: CALCON III, IO. Box
2O4, Slalion M, 22O 4 Avenue SL, CaIgary,
AIlerla, CANADA, T2I 2H6.
TOTAL CONFUSION 2, March 11-13
The second-annuaI TOTAL CONIUSION gane
convenlion viII le heId al CIark Universily in
Worcesler, Mass. RICA Nelvork evenls viII le
heId for AD&D and CALL OI CTHULHU
ganes. ReguIar evenls incIude 1O unIiniled
AD&D gane evenls, and CHAMIIONS, DC
HLROLS, CAR WARS, and nunerous olher
loard and roIe-pIaying gane fealures. A
ninialures-painling evenl, a deaIers roon,
seninars, 24-hour open ganing, and nuch nore
are aIso offered. Ireregislralion for aII lhree
days is $1S, or $6 for each individuaI day. Regis-
lralion afler March 1 is $7 per day. Wrile lo:
TOTAL CONIUSION, 151 ChandIer Slreel,
Worcesler MA O16O9, or caII: (617) 793-O853,
(617) S62-2SS4, or (617) 755-42O7.
UMF-CON, March 13
This science-ficlion, fanlasy, and ganing
convenlion lakes pIace al lhe Sludenl Cenler of
lhe Universily of Maine in Iarninglon, Maine.
Barry B. Longyear, lhe nalionaIIy knovn
science-ficlion vriler, viII le allending. UMI-
CON fealures AD&D, TOI SLCRLT, RISK,
and BATTLLSYSTLM
TM
gane evenls, aIong vilh
nunerous olher loard and roIe-pIaying ganes.
Regislralion is $5, each gane requires a $2
enlry fee. Wrile lo: TalIe Caning CIul, c/o
Sludenl Life Office, Sludenl Cenler, Soulh
Slreel, Iarninglon ML O4938.
DRACONIS, March 1S-20
This science-ficlion and fanlasy convenlion
viII le heId al lhe CaIl House in LouisviIIe, Ky.
Anne McCaffrey viII le lhe guesl of honor, and
}uIia LckIar viII le fan guesl. Iealured evenls
viII incIude lhe Dragon Bazaar, open ganing,
fiIksinging, a nasquerade conlesl, an arl shov
and auclion, paneIs, vorkshops, a LAZLR TAC
area, and a chiId-care cenler. Regislralion fees
are $17.5O unliI Ielruary 17, and $2O lhereaf-
ler. ChiIdren ages 6-12 nay le regislered for
haIf price. Ior delaiIs, vrile lo: DRACONIS, IO.
Box 162, Concord MA O1742.
SIMCON X, March 1S-20
This convenlion viII le heId in lhe WiIson
Connons on lhe Universily of Rocheslers River
Canpus in Rochesler, N.Y Lvenls incIude roIe-
pIaying gane lournanenls, varganes, ninia-
lures conpelilions, novies, denonslralions, and
a deaIers roon. Regislralion is $5 lefore March
1, and $1O lhereafler. Ior delaiIs, vrile lo:
SIMCON X, IO. Box 29142, River Slalion, Roch-
esler NY 14627, or ly caIIing: (716) 275-9379.
AGGIECON 19, March 24-27
The Soulhvesls Iargesl science-ficlion and
fanlasy convenlion, lhis evenl viII le heId on
lhe Texas A&M canpus in CoIIege Slalion, Tex.
Cuesls of honor incIude Cene Roddenlerry,
Kalherine Kurlz, Bol LggIelon, and Kerry
OQuinn. SpeciaI evenls incIude lhe Quesl (ly
popuIar denand), open ganing, 25 aulhors and
arlisls, nine najor SI fiIns in 35nn (lo le
shovn in a 2,5OO-seal audiloriun), a deaIers
roon vilh over 1OO lalIes an arl shov and
auclion, a lanquel, a nasquerade laII, and
nore. Ireregislralion fees are $1O for aII four
days (if paid prior lo Ielruary 28), vilh an
addilionaI $4 charge for enlry inlo lhe Quesl.
Al-lhe-door fees are $5 for one day, $14 for lhe
enlire veekend, $1 for lhe nidnighl novie, $1O
for a lanquel lickel, and $5 for enlry inlo lhe
Quesl. ChiIdren under lhree are adnilled free
of charge, and chiIdren ages 3-12 for haIf lhe
nornaI regislralion fees. Sludenls of Texas
A&M are enlilIed lo discounls on ACCILCON
passes. Ior delaiIs, vrile lo: ACCILCON 19,
TAMU, Box }-I, MSC, CoIIege Slalion TX 77844.
MAGNUM OPUS CON 3, March 2S-27
This science-ficlion, fanlasy, and ganing
convenlion viII le heId in CoIunlus, Ca. Cuesls
of honor incIude Yvonne Craig, MichaeI Bishop,
CharIes N. Brovn, HaI CIenenl, Calherine and
L. Sprague de Canp, Slephen R. DonaIdson,
LIoyd A. Lshlach, IhiIIip }ose Iarner, Ceorge
R.R. Marlin, Nornan Spinrad, }ack WiIIianson,
and olhers yel lo le announced. Aclivilies
incIude ganing lournanenls, an arl shov, a
nagic shov, an open laIenl shov, a dance, an
arl auclion, a con suile, and novie roons. Wrile
lo: MACNUM OIUS CON, 4315 Iio Novo Ave-
nue, Macon CA 312O6.
CONTEST V, March 31 - AprII 3
TuIsas onIy aII-ganing convenlion viII le heId
al lhe HoIiday Inn HoIidone al 8181 L. SkeIIy
Drive in TuIsa, OkIa. Lvenls viII incIude gane
lournanenls, denonslralions, roIe-pIaying
ganes, loard ganes, conpuler ganes, ninia-
lures conpelilions, Iive ganes, free ganing, a
conlinuous video roon, deaIers roon, auclion,
and speciaI guesls. Regislralion fees are $6
lefore March 1, and $8 al lhe door. Ior nore
infornalion, conlacl: CONTLST V, IO. Box 4726,
TuIsa OK 741O4.
POINTCON XI, AprII 2-3
The Wesl Ioinl MiIilary Affairs CIul is proud
lo sponsor lhis years 11lh-annuaI IOINTCON.
The convenlion viII le heId al lhe Wesl Ioinl
MiIilary Acadeny. AII lypes of ganing viII le
fealured, incIuding ninialures conpelilions
(ancienl, NapoIeonic, and nicroarnor), fanlasy
and science-ficlion RICs, loard ganes, open
ganing, and nuch nore. DeaIers viII aIso le
presenl for pronolion and saIes of ganes and
reIaled producls. Ireregislralion is $4, or $5 al
lhe door. This price incIudes enlry fees inlo any
evenls al lhe convenlion. Ior delaiIs, vrile lo:
Tin Brovn, Box 4377, Wesl Ioinl NY 1O997, or
caII: (914) 938-4257.
BAMA CON II, AprII S-10
Sponsored ly lhe Ianlasy Cane CIul of lhe
Universily of AIalana, lhis lhree-day ganing
convenlion viII le heId al lhe Slagecoach Inn,
481O SkyIand BIvd. Iasl, in TuscaIoosa, AIa.
IIanned evenls incIude vorkshops, seninars,
and paneIs on science-ficlion ganing invenlions,
nelaphysics, and conpulers. Mosl ganing
lournanenls (incIuding conpuler-ganing lour-
nanenls) viII fealure cash prizes for firsl pIace.
Denonslralions and exhilils incIude an arl
shov, aIong vilh fencing, narliaI arls, and
ninialures-conlal denonslralions. Iarlies,
fiIksinging, and sloryleIIing, viII go on around
lhe cIock. Regislralion is $15 unliI ApriI 1, and
$2O al lhe door. Roon rales al lhe Slagecoach
Inn are $21.95 for a singIe roon and $25.95 for
a doulIe. Ior nore delaiIs, vrile lo: BAMA CON
II, Universily of AIalana, IO. Box 6542, Tusca-
Ioosa AL 35486.
CAPCON XI, AprII S-10
The Ohio Slale Universily Minialures and
Caning Associalion (OSUMCA) announces lhe
11lh annuaI CAICON, lo le heId in lolh laII-
roons of lhe Ohio Union, 1739 N. High Slreel, in
CoIunlus, Ohio. Iealured evenls incIude:
ninialures evenls, loard ganes, and roIe-
pIaying ganes fron severaI line periods and
genres, severaI AD&D and BATTLLSYSTLM
gane lournanenls, and, a ninialures-painling
conlesl. Convenlion lines are: ApriI 8lh, 5:OO
P.M. to 11:3O P.M.; ApriI 9lh, 9:OO A.M. to 11.30 P.M.;
and, ApriI 1Olh, 12:3O A.M. lo 1O:3O PM. Adnis-
sion is $3 per day. Wrile lo: OSUMCA/CAICON,
Box 21, The Ohio Union, 1739 N. High Slreel,
CoIunlus OH 4321O, or caII: }iII Moody al (614)
299-5658, or }on Kinnich al (614) 447-17O5.
GAME FAIRE 'SS, AprII S-10
The ninlh-annuaI CAML IAIRL convenlion viII
le heId al Spokane IaIIs Connunily CoIIege in
Spokane, Wash. Lvenls viII run conlinuousIy
fron Iriday nighl lo Sunday aflernoon. The
progran incIudes gane lournanenls, nicroar-
nor, hisloricaI ninialures, a video roon, a
deaIers roon, SI and fanlasy RICs, loard
ganes, faniIy ganes, and a gane auclion. The
IocaI chapler of lhe SCA viII aIso hosl a denon-
slralion. Regislralion for lhis convenlion is $1O
prepaid or $12 al lhe door. Iriday-onIy or
Sunday-onIy passes are $5, Salurday-onIy passes
are $6. AII profils fron lhis evenl go lo lhe
Wishing Slar Ioundalion, a IocaI charily dedi-
caled lo heIping needy chiIdren. Wrile lo:
MerIyns, W. 2O1 Riverside, Spokane WA 992O1,
or caII: (5O9) 624-O957.
GAMESFAIR SS, AprII S-10
The Uniled Kingdons prenier ganes-pIaying
evenl and lhe eighlh CAMLSIAIR organized ly
TSR, UK, viII le heId al Reading Universily in
Reading, Uniled Kingdon. Lvenls viII incIude
an AD&D gane open chanpionship, an
AD&D gane lean conpelilion, a CHASL
gane lournanenl, a huge gane of LN CARDL, a
crealure-crealion conpelilion, aII-nighl ganing,
a charily naralhon, gane denonslralions, and
nuch nore. Tickels for lhe fuII lhree days are
37.OO residenliaI, or 12.5O nonresidenliaI.
Conlacl: The Organisers, CAMLSIAIR 88, TSR
UK Lld., The MiII, Ralhnore Road, Canlridge
CB1 4AD UK, or caII: (O223) 212517.
MISCONCEPTION, TOO, AprII S-10
This ganing convenlion viII le heId al lhe
Auraria Sludenl Cenler on 9lh and Lariner in
Denver, CoIo. Iealured evenls incIude AD&D,
BATTLLTLCH, CHAMIIONS, and STAR ILLLT
DRAGON 95
BATTLE5 gane evenls anong olhers. Ireregis-
lralion is $3, al-lhe-door fees are $4. Tourna-
nenl fees are $1 for each evenl. Ior regislralion
paynenl or delaiIs, vrile lo: ACC, Melro Slale
CoIIege, 1OO6 11lh Slreel, Box 39, Denver CO
8O2O4, or caII: (3O3) 556-332O.
S.T. CON 'SS, AprII S-10 *
This ganing convenlion viII le heId al lhe
MarIlorough Inn, 1316 33rd Slreel NL, in
CaIgary, AIlerla, Canada. Cuesls incIude Bjo,
}ohn, and Lora TrinlIe, Sonni and Dr. RaIph
Cooper, Diane Carey, and Cregory Brodeur.
SpeciaI evenls incIude an arl shov and auclion,
a coslune conlesl, a shorl-slory conpelilion, a
STAR TRLK: THL RIC lournanenl, a STAR
ILLLT BATTLLS lournanenl, and nunerous
nini-conpelilions. Regislralion is $25 lefore
ApriI 7, or $3O al lhe door. SingIe-day regislra-
lion nay le purchased for $15 a day. RIC
lournanenl fees are $5 per pIayer, STAR ILLLT
BATTLLS lournanenl fees are $2 per pIayer.
Wrile lo: S.T. CON '88, Unil #38, 3223 83rd
Slreel NW, CaIgary, AIlerla, CANADA. T3B 2I9.
I-CON VII, AprII 1S-17
This sevenlh-annuaI ganing science-ficlion,
facl, and fanlasy convenlion viII le heId al lhe
Slale Universily of Nev York in Slony Brook,
Long IsIand, N.Y. HarIan LIIison and HaI CIenenl
are speciaI guesls, lhe guesl of honor and nedia
guesls are yel lo le announced. This years
progran viII aIso fealure guesls fron fiIn and
leIevision, science and lechnoIogy, and look and
nagazine pulIishing. Tickels for lhis evenl are
$16 lefore March 25, or $18 al lhe door. AII
checks shouId le nade payalIe lo I-CON. Ior
furlher delaiIs, send an SASL lo: I-CON, IO. Box
55O, Slony Brook NY 1179O.
LAUDERDALE SKIRMISHES 'SS
AprII 1S-17
SKIRMISHLS presenls lhe grand opening of
lhis roIe-pIaying/varganing convenlion al lhe
HiIlon Inn al Inverrary in Il. LauderdaIe, IIa
Lvenls incIude: AD&D, TRAVLLLLR, STAR
ILLLT BATTLLS, and CAR WARS ganes,
NapoIeonics, loard ganing, a deaIers roon,
SCA denonslralions, and, olher RICs and
hisloricaI evenls. HoleI reservalions nay le
nade ly caIIing: (8OO) 327-8661. Regislralion is
$18 for lhe veekend. Wrile lo: SKIRMISHLS,
IO. Box 2O97, Winler Haven IL 33883, or caII:
(813) 294-9166.
MUNCHCON 7, AprII 1S-17
This science-ficlion, horror, and fanlasy con-
venlion viII le heId on lhe MarshaII Universily
Canpus in Hunlinglon, W.Va. This years lhene
is an H.I. Lovecrafl Menorian. Iealured evenls
incIude a coslune conlesl, an arl shov and saIe,
seninars, novies, IRI ganing, loard ganing,
AD&D and CALL OI CTHULHU gane lourna-
nenls, a huckslers roon, and nore. Ior delaiIs,
send an SASL lo: }anes Auguslus Isaacs, Con-
venlion Coordinalor, MUNCHCON 7 HQ, 6466
IarndaIe Road, Apl. 7, BarloursviIIe WV 255O4.
SYNDICON I, AprII 22-24
Sponsored ly lhe Windy Cily Science Iiclion
Associalion, lhis ganing convenlion viII le heId
al lhe HoIiday Inn al 125O RooseveIl Road in
CIen LIIyn, III. Roon rales for SYNDICON are
$49. }ean Rale, head of lhe RICA Nelvork, is
lhe guesl of honor, Rick Loonis, founder of
IIying BuffaIo Inc., and Barlara Young, edilor of
DUNCLON Advenlures, are lhe speciaI guesls,
Iealured evenls incIude a lvo-round RICA
Nelvork AD&D gane fealure lournanenl and
Maslers gane lournanenl a one-round RICA
Nelvork AD&D gane lean lournanenl, a one-
round RICA Nelvork AD&D gane speciaI
lournanenl) a IARANOIA and a MARVLL
SUILR HLROLS gane lournanenl, a CAR
WARS and an ILLUMINATI evenl, and nore.
Regislralion is $12 lefore March 1. The firsl 5O
Salurday luffels are $9 each, Sundays luffel is
aIso $9. Thereafler, rales increase lo $15 for
nenlership and $12 for luffels. Wrile lo:
WCSIA/SYNDICON, IO. Box A3981, Chicago IL
6O69O, or caII: (312) 462-7954.
AMIGOCON 3, May 1-3
This science-ficlion and fanlasy convenlion
viII le heId al lhe HoIiday Inn SunIand Iark in
LI Iaso, Tex Cuesl of honor is Ceorge AIec
Lffinger, vilh Brad Iosler as arlisl guesl of
honor. Lvenls incIude open ganing, an arl
shov, a nasquerade parly, and a deaIers roon.
Ireregislralion fees are $12 for lhe enlire
veekend, if paid prior lo ApriI 22. Al-lhe-door
fees are $15 for lhe enlire veekend or $7.5O for
each day. Wrile lo: AMICOCON 3, IO. Box 3177,
LI Iaso TX 79923.
98 FEBRUARY 1988
DRAGON 99
100 FEBRUARY 1988
DRAGON 101
102 February 1988
DRAGON 103
104 FEBRUARY 1988