VOL. 21 NO.3 OCTOBER 2001 Features 14 PILLARS OF RAVENS BLUFF es Bythe RIGA Sal Last mom, we took a look at four ofthe heroes who have made ‘Ravens Blu the sable bastion of adventurer itis today. I takes more than a hand ‘of fol so run the cic, though. From a high priest of de god of dawn to a spy vo truly a diy rat this month's conclusion rounds ou the ranks ofthe city's _restest heres. 22 TERRORS OF GOTHIC EARTH By Manhew Senet The mos frightening hortoes are rooted in reality, a ism given ‘her support by dhis gruesome selection of d20 monsters based on the folklore of the eal world 31 NOCTURNO MUERTE By Geoff Sellms es zombie, jungles, and Nazis in dhs compelling deadwould ‘campaign seng for the A! Fish Mus be Enten solepaying game 42 ELMINSTER’S EVERWINKING EYE iy Fa Greenwood. A catalogue of Owihold’s brothels confims your wort Fea about the randy old Sage of Shadowdale’s raveling habs In Every Issue 6 12 48 The Polyhedron Review 56 Web Wanderings 58 Club Listing 62 OntheTrail 66 Reader Response SurveyN E Ws 4 a fo) = Ss 1a) Fd THE STATE OF ‘THE NETWORK This is a writeup of remarks I made at the GEN Con’ Game Fair members’ meeting, which took place on the Wednesday 1g preceding the show. As ‘we needed to keep it short, and the man with the sound system vwas a bit late setting up, my remarks were fairly general, and Trurged the members to keep an eye on our Web site for mote ils and updates. Wizards of the Coast recently brought in ‘more staff to help the Web Team, so our site is more up to date and will continue to improve in the upcoming months. In the meantime, you can always direct specific questions to us at rpgahq@wiz [Link], if you don’t find the information you seek on the Web site ‘As many of you know, it’s been a wild ride for WotC and the RPGA" Network in the year since I last addressed the mem bership at GEN Con. At that time, WotC had been in the ‘The Only Constant... thick of the Poxéaron” boom for a couple years, and there seemed to be no end in sigh. We had just released the game in Europe, with expectations of the same fad phenomenon that had swept the U.S. The entice business had been growing by Jeaps and bounds, expanding operations in every part of the company, and making ambitious plans to grow all of our businesses aggressively with profits thar almost fel ike lomery winnings. The reality ured out to be a bie different. The European mar- ket didn’t go as crazy for POKEMON as we expected, and meanwhile the U.S, market began to cool down to a more realistic size. POKEMON is still a major piece of the Wor business, but i's not as impossi: bly huge as it used to be, and those days of what seemed like money raining from the skies upon WorC are over, at least for Asa result, the the time bei business found itself in a posi- tion where it needed to shrink PoLvHEDRoN #148 its expenses to remain in line with its new income expecta tions. Many parts of the Wor. business reduced! in size quite logically as a reflection of new. smaller demands upon numer cous departments. However, the whole company had been grow= ing fat upon the proceeds from POKEMON, so the whole compa ny hal to share in the financial diet that would reduce it to healthier size, and the RPGA was no exception, ‘The first and most obvious took place last amber, when the company ‘went through a round of down- sizing across the board. The RPGA’S losses were fairly mini- mal, compared to the rest of the company, but they hurt nonetheless. We were forced to liminate Tom Ko’s branch manager position, and our European branch manager, Ann Van Dam, was reassigned t0 other duties, retaining only a few hours each week to service RPGA operations. Tom had been the giue that held member services together, and all of the rest of us had to pitch in to cover his duties, while doing our best to continue with our own jobs, which had already busier than a modest 50: work week would allow. Very quickly, chings gor out of con: trol. Meanwhile, the loss of budget and Ann’s services forced us to back away from several growth initiatives planned for the European Community (as well a the rest of the globe), and we decided for the shore term that we should focus on the existing Network rather than continue to seek more growth.‘To complicate matters, we had agreed to convert the LIVING (Cire —RAvENs BLUFF campaign to Third Edition DuNGeONs DRAGONS” rules on an accelerated schedule, and the job turned out to be a great deal more complicated than we believed. We were beset ‘with technological setbacks in the cert database, and the short deadline pur us into such a rush that we made mistakes. Although we were given additional budget dollars for the job, they weren't sufficient for the whole job, and requests for addi- tional funds were denied, 90 we ‘were forced to continue with the conversion—often starting over from seratch—as an extra project, on top of our other duties. Time, it turned out, was the resource we needed most. By February, the process had. broken down so completely that we decided to print an entire second set of converted certs, often including erroneous or incorrectly assigned certs, and send them out to the ‘members in an attempt to finally get everyone’s certs into their hands. As some of you know, the process is still not complete. The job goes on, and will continue until it’s done Allof this happened, mind you, after the size of the Network had tripled, and overall RPGA gaming activity had doubled, since the year before. We had launched two new major campaigns—the LIVING (GREYHAWK™ and LivinG Force ‘campaigns—and we had increased Polybedrom’s page count and taken it to full color while adding the Living Greyhawk Journal. Suddenty, in the midst of allthis, we had much less resources with which to serve a lot more members. If you're one of the ‘many members who sent email or called and received no response, we apologize profusely and beg you t0 understand that it wasn’t for lack of desire to help you. For a while there, we were simply overwhelmed, Amidst these trials and tribula- tions, I was given additional duties was promoted to a directorship and put in charge of licensing for the RPG business. This has forced ‘me to restructure the business so that Fm now more strictly a strate gic manager and less ofa tactician. ve been forced to redefine job responsibilities for my entire staff so that they can do the ground work wiile [spend my days “thinking big thoughts,” making business plans, and giving my staff more work to do! As we move forward, Twill end to fade into the background of RPGA activities, even though Tl still be there—pulling strings, direct- ing new programs, and fighting for the Network on the executive level. ‘Throughout all the changes, we've never stopped working, and we've never given up. It may not seem like it from an outside perspective, but WotC has never stopped caring about the RPGA, and we've been busy restructuring: HQ operations in ‘order to keep the Network alive and strong. Many changes are going to manifest shortly, if you haven't already noticed them, and we hope to show you many more improve- ‘ments in the coming months. We've brought in a new clerk, named Tim Kelley, who is taking care of all the litele things that can pile up and crush the Network if they're not handled promptiy, and that’s freed the rest of us to concentrate on our ‘own goals and duties. Furthermore, the RPG business—including the games, magazines, books, and RPGA—is now under the new lead- ership of Mary Kirchoff, who has been a part of the industry so long that she was actually the first editor of Polyhedron Magazine, back in the carly 1980s. Mary has reunited most of the business functions formerly known as “TSR, Inc.” under one banner, and the mission going for- ward will be to integrate the busi- ness s0 that each category supports the others wherever possible, and that’s a great thing, Some of the things I'l talk about below will = Ss reflect this new (old) strategy, and T think you'l lke the results. ‘Under the new business structure, the RPGA is moving more intently toward the Internet, in order to more fully globalize its operations and to deliver services that don’t require as much manpower on the part of the staff. We are already capable of online score reporting, and our goal is to make manual reporting the rare exception rather than the standard practice. “Memberships are now being processed through our e-commerce store, which is capable of providing much more automated and profes- sional processing, and we will be adding new services in the near future, made possible through this partnership with e-commerce. (More about that below.) Since we want to use this system globally, and because of the requests and interests of many members who have written to us, we're making it as easy to join the RPGA as possi- ble. Therefore, we've changed the cost of membership to just $5 USD, which makes it much more afford- able worldwide, People all over the world can use a credit card to join, and the equivalent of $8 USD will be charged to them in their respec- tive currencies. For that $8, the fol- lowing services will be delivered: + A membership car + Access to the electronic network his is essentially entrance to a passworded area where all your ‘member information is stored, ‘where the scenario library rests, and where we will make additional benefits available to the members. + Access to the scenario library: Some good news for you bere We've changed the cost of a sce- nario to $5 if i's part of a pre- miere RPGA campaign, such as the Livine Crry, Lavine GGREYHAWK, of LIVING Force campaigns, and only $3 ifs part of a member-run campaign, OctosER 2001 aea ee N rs ° = e i) F + Points tracking: Well con- tinue to track player and judge points, as always. We're planning to roll out a new program that gives real value to those points, so stay tuned for more details + Dlaytesting privileges: We're ‘working on improving this system, to make it more valu- able to both members and the Wort? R&D staff Those who want to continue 10 receive Polyhedron Magazine will be charged an additional $25 USD, simulat- ing the traditional Guitp- Live™ membership, Gonp and Fi gories of membership. Instead, welll classify your membership status as “Magazine” if you've ordered it. Those of you who have paid for G ‘membership will continue to receive your subscriptions until your membership expires, at ‘which time you mé continue subscribing as an ‘option. Also, those folks who wish to play in an RPGA game without joining at all may do so: Well record and store theit points, but they won't have access to them, and won't be able to take advantage of any member services, unless they join the Network, at which time their points willfully “activate.” T neglected to explain the fol- lowing information at the mem bers’ meeting, bur allow me t0 correct that error here. Erik ‘Mona has moved into the Periodicals Department and will continue to work on RPGA publications from there, This will allow us to use that depart- ment’sfallservice operations, which will result in highly professional publication stan. dards and faster, more reliable choose to POLYHEDRON #148, delivery. We're also making. some playsial format changes: Aer a year of separate publica tion, the Living Grobawk Journal is going to regular feature of Dragon Magazine. This isa great thing, in my opinion, because it makes the Living: Greyhamt: campaign an integral part of the D&D experience. Fve spoken to the head of the Periodicals Department, Johnny Wilson, about offering a discount on Dragon subscriptions to RPGA members, and he thinks ies a great ides ‘tuned for that probable deal. (This is one of those new, integrated business strategies to which [allude above.) Meanwhile, Poyhedron and Dungeon Magarines are going to combine into a single periodical with afip-cover for- mat (Paly on one side and Drngeon on the other), as of the December issue, That means members will get even more magazine for their money than ever before With the format change, Polyhedron becomes Wizards of the Coast’s oficial d20 ma zine as well as the magazine of record for the RPGA Network In addition to support RPGA activities, conventions, and LivING™ campaigns, look for coverage of Wizards 20 erings such as Call of nulin and Wheel of Time, as well as interesting d20 applica tions from the multitude of third-party 420 publishers. Each issue will feature a complete stand-alone €20 game or set ting, which will be supported with adventures in the extensive RPGA scenario database. The 20 revolution has swept inter- est in gaming into a frenzy, and we're proud that Polyhedron will soon be at the center of the storm. a In terms of future services, here are some of the things we plan to add to the members site, as quickly as possible. Bear in mind that we're still working. con these plans, and we can’t promise they'll be available until wwe actually launch them, Book club: Here’s another one of those integrated busi- ‘ness plans. The Books Department will create a club for the novel readers among the membership. Details will ‘come as the program is more fully developed. Product discounts: The holy grail of RPGA management. We've wanted to offer dis- counts ever since the old TSR Mail Order Hobby Shop closed, and we're gerting close to the goal. RPGA member ship is already a great deal, but if and when we get this program up and running, ‘only a fool won't join the Network ESDs: These electronic downloads of old publications are already available through the e-commerce store, but wel like to offer them more cheaply to the members, and even give them away from time to time. Points redemption: I referred to this above. Player and judge points are great, but they have litle practical value at present. We plan to change that. Magazine discounts: P've already mentioned this above In keeping with our goal 10 ‘more fully integrate the RPG business, you can expect to see more RPGA “playability” in fiarure WotC RPGs and maga- zines. We plan to make as many games playable for Network points as possible, and we've climinated the four-hour-siotrule (except as dictated by individual event coordinators) so that you can play your adventures until they're done and still receive points for them. Many of the adventures in Dungeon Magazine will be RPGA- friendly, and even R&D-designed adventures will be designed for RPGA play For example, there’s a new kind of RPGA campaign that will lunch next year. We're presently designing, a super-adventure for the FORGOTTEN REALMS" setting, which will have RPGA scoring built right into it. Not only that, but well launch an annual campaign for it at next year’s GEN CoN, offering a prequel” adventure at the conven- tion, leading into the published adventure. Then, at various RPGA conventions throughout the year, well release scenarios that are designed to tie into the main adventure. The campaign will wind up at the following GEN Con, with an “epilogue” adventure. Meanwhile, welll design a prequel for the next years adventure, and the eyele will continue. In other words, this is a campaign that’s designed to begin and end over the course of a single year, which will offer us opportuni- ties to do some things that would be impossible in an ongoing campaign such as the Living Crry or LIVING GREVHAWK games. ‘There's one other major change to mention. We have recently come to an agreement to turn over manage- ‘ment of the Livisa Crr¥ campaign to an independent company, called Organized Play, Inc. Led by Ryan Dancey, who led the team that brought you the Third Edition D&D game, Organized Play will continue to run the campaign as if i ‘were still a part of in-house Wor operations; however, Dancey and company will be able to add new services that WotC. can't provide. For more information, visit [Link]. OF course, these remarks have been fairly general, and they probably ‘evoke a lot of questions in your mind, The best way to get answers is to keep an eye on our Web site (www [Link]) and to keep read- ing Palybearon. Operations are fairly stable once again, and we're ready to move for- —Onynied ly sur Set Mager nd LC Information Dirctr ward to a new era Rik Bri ae te ping ene for the RPGA. We hope that the past haf year hasn't bbeen too troublesome for you, and wwe look forward to much smoother sailing ahead, As long as the games continue, then I think we're most of the way there. Keep having fun, and keep making new friends out there—that’s what the RPGA is all about! Davin Wise Wortpwide RPGA Dikecron ‘wiseguy@[Link] RPGA LICENSES LIVING CITY CAMPAIGN This year at the Gen Con Game Fair RPGA Members Meeting, David Wise announced that the Lavine Grry—Ravens BLUFF cam ppaign has been licensed to a new ‘company headed by former Wizards Of the Coast Vice-President Ryan Dancey, Ryan's new company is ‘named OrganizedPlay. Because there were only a few dlays berween the time the license wwas finalized and GeN Cox, neither David nor Ryan could discuss many Of the details of the arrangement at the members meeting, Now that we've had time to catch our breath, swe wanted to take this opportuni to talk about why the RPGA has licensed Livin Crrtywhat = * OrganizedPlay is and what it intends to do with the campaign, and how these changes affect you and your LC characters Ryan was asked by Wizards of the Coast CEO Peter Adkison to become the business manager for DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: in the fall of 1998, For the first few months of that assignment, he worked with a team of people that included David Wise on building a new strategy for the RPG business. Te became obvi- cous very early on that the RPGA Network needed to play a big part of those plans. In 2000, with Third Edition nearly finished, David left the business management group and became the worldwide director for the RPGA to fulfill that vision. With support from Ryan, the RPGA began to receive increased funding, and to focus on member recruitment and on improving RPGA services. ‘The result was an explosion in RPGA membership and RPGA Livi” campaign play. Everyone scemed to be responding well to the new sense of purpose and direction that the RPGA was providing, However, as David likes to say, it ‘vas the best of times, and the worst of times. First Hasbro purchased the company, and second, POKEM emerged as the most successful product in the history of the ‘OcroweR 2001 9Le ee N ET W OR K 10 company, causing a major strategic shift in Wizans of the Coasts priorities, [As many of you know, the first part of 2001 has been chal- lenging for Wizards, and espe: cially challenging for the RPGA. As the size of the POKEMON business declines, the company has been working to reduce costs across the board. The RPGA has had its staf reduced and its funding cut. Due t0 Ryan decided to leave Wizards and has been ‘working on creating a whole ‘new company focused on deliv- ering infrastructure for the kinds of player support the RPGA, and game companies in general, need. After many lengthy months of negotiation, Wizards and Ryan's new company, OrganizedPlay, have agreed 0 terms for a license for the Lavine Crmx—RAvENS BLUFF campaign. That deal will allow OrganizedPlay to take over responsibility for running the Livin Cry, and will allow the RPGA to reallocate some resources © more support. The a between Wizards of the Coast and OrganizedPlay concerns only the Livin Crny—Ravens BLUFF campaign. The UK-based Sarbreenar and German Tourlagol campaigns are not affected by it Ryan wants everyone playing LiviNe Cary characters to know that for the present, everything about the campaign will remain the same. You'll continue to download scenarios from the RPGA Web site, and score the results using the current system, Your existing characters and certs remain legal and can be used in all Livia Crry events, We know that there are some continuing problems with the cert conversion process, and OrganizedPlay is determined to player POLYHEDRON #148 clean up the final remaining issucs expeditiously. Fist, we've up a special email address (certs@organizedplay com) chat you can contact regarding any cert issue. The OrganizedPlay staff reads mal sent to that address daily and will respond to any question or comment about certs direered to that addeess rapidly. Second, OrganizedPlay is rapidly processing all the remaining cert conversion requests received to date. If youve sent in a package of certs for conversion, you should expect the updated certs in the inal in the next few we In addition, OrganizedPlay has prepared a special process for those people with ourstand ing cer issues that we think ean clear the backlog of all remain- ing problems. From September 2th to the 28th, ifyou call the OrganizedPlay offices between 10:00 a.m, and 4:00 pm, PST, they will have staff standing by to answer your questions about ceits and fix any remaining issues. The OrganizedPhay office phone number is (206)574 (0234. During this ime, you can continue to use the cers@orga [Link] addeess for cert issues. You ean also write 1 OrganizedPlay at 814 Industry Drive, Tulswila, WA 98188. After September 28, the cert conversion process Wil be complete, and OrganizedPlay vill no longer be able to address new cert conversion issues. If you have a concem about your ‘eres, have not received certs ibmitted for conversion, or have questions about the con- verred certs you did receive, you ‘must contact OrganizedPlay before September 28th. No new cert issues willbe fixed ater that date Just amore abour the cert con version process: The time for submitting certs for conversion js past. OrganizedPlay is work- ‘ng now on certs received prior to the deadline for submicti certs for conversion. If you did not submit certs for conversion. prior to the deadline, those certs are no longer valid and will not be converted. Now some information about what the OrganizedPlay license ‘means to LiviNG Crvy players. We envision a four stage process of transition: ‘Stage One is the current situa- tion, in which OrganizedPlay is managing the campaign, and Wizards of the Coast is manag- ing the infrastructure for sce- nario downloading and results reporting Stage Two will begin this fll In Stage Two, OrganizedPlay will creare a Living Cry Web site and you will download scenatios directly from that site instead of the RPGA site Billing for scenario download fees will be through OrganizedPlay Stage Three shoul be reached by the end of the year. In Stage ‘Three, you will report the results of Livin Cr play sing online forms on the OrganizedPay Livinc Crry Web site. That data will be transmitted to the RPGA regularly, t keep your RPGA ‘member points data updated. Stage Four will begin in the new year. In Stage Four, OrganizedPlay will begin to deliver online fearures for the campaign, such as digital characters and digital certs, ‘The long-term plan for LING Cry is t grow, The more players who actively play, and the more they play, the morefinancial resources OrganizedPlay can devote to the campaign. To help that growth happen, OrganizedPlay is working with the LC Board of Directors to formulate a strategy for improv- ing the scenarios you play, and ‘making the ongoing storyline of the Livin Crrr something that you'll care passionately about, and be able to directly affect through LC scenario play In furure months, we'll talk ‘more aboutt what it means to have a “digital character” or a “digital cert,” and weil talk about how we want to improve the scenarios and the way they're judged. We are very interested in your feedback. Until the Livin ‘Cry Web site “goes live,” the OrganizedPlay staff will be active on the Wizards ‘Community discussion boards (heep://[Link]- bin/ultimatebb cgi2ubb=foruméef =248). Please et the Organized Play Staff know what you like and don’t like about Livin Crry, and ask them any questions you may have, They'll do their best to respond frequentiy, clearly, and quickly! Both RPGA HQ and the folks at OrganizedPlay, Inc. extend heartfelt thanks to all the loyal members who have supported the LiviNG Crr¥ through the years, and to the dedicated volunteers ‘who continue to make it function during this transition, We're all very glad to be working together oon this project and have a hopeful and positive feeling about the furuce! INEWS FROM Weal ‘The height of the convention season kept our European ancl UK correspondents from chiming in this issue, but the redoubrable Wes Nicholson did drop by ‘with a special message from Down Under. ASIA-PACIFIC More and more, LIVING GREYAWR is getting people playing our games. Conventions in Brisbane, Perth, and ‘Melbourne as well as game days all over the eastern seaboard, have seen people who previously disdained anything to do with PGA camouring for more and more LIVING GREYHAWK T would be remiss if I didn't ‘mention that Craig Walker and has capable helpers in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are still going strong with a solid core of dedicated Livin DeaTE™ players. ‘As [write this, the news of the changes in the Network has fil tered through to those members who are active on-liners, or have regular contact with their North American fellows. Reaction has been mixed but overall the positives seem to be in front. A number of members have been, asking for years for a basic mem- bership without Palyhedron— stemming from the days when Poly was Living Crry centric— and now they have what they wanted. Brisbane gamers tured out in ‘May for Maelstrom and for many of them their first taste of LD and/or LG. Chris Ryan dusted off an old Star Wars scenario for ‘one last fling and the whole con ‘was as laid back as most things are in Queensland, Sadly, the awards ceremony got messed up and some people didn’t get their prizes on the day. Melbourne turned on its (infamous wer weather for DWARFCon again in early July. Nevertheless, about 100 players, plus wargamers, tmred our for 2 ‘weekend of mayhem. Richard w s Dennis resurrected his bunny ears, but no chocolates for the players this time. Maybe that's ‘why the numbers were down on ‘Conquest. For the open slots at this con there was always Robo Rally and the GM for the ‘weekend had some especially «vil board setups. Kill counts were high. ‘The Hall of Heroes and Heroines ran their own con in Perth late July, no details as this is being written except for Doug Clutterbuck saying “everyone had ball”. That's a fine way’ to describe any convention, I think ‘twas good to sce the turnout at GEN CoN too, although by the end of the weekend sleep depriva- tion was evident in a lot of folks. You should all have had a “roomie” like mine—I had the 8 am start on Sunday’ and he didn’t 150 he had a le in for me, Pm told I felt much better for it, so thanks for tha, Tan Looking ahead, the Company of the Griffon are running their first con in late September, in sunny Cairns. Early signs are that this will be another success for the Grevitawx campaign, as well as the many other events the club plans to run. Wes NICHOLSON ASLA-PACIFIC BRANCH MANAGER ‘Wes@[Link] ‘Ocroser 2001 WE D- LE [Link] Tue TO eS MORE ON DRACONIANS Hey! Your magazine is really beginning to grow on me Great job! In issue #147, a letter eaught my eye requesting Third Edition DUNGEONS & DRAGONS” statistics for the dra ‘onians of the DRAGONLANCE™ campaign setting. I was terested to learn of the DracoNLance adventure, Anvil of Time, and its associated goodies in Dingeon #86 in your response. I wanted to let you and your readers know, however, that the “definitive Third Edition” versions of the various draconian subraces (aurak, baaz, borak, kapak, and sivak) do indeed exist, just in an unlikely source. Look for them in the back of the novel Draconian Measures—Kangs Regiment, by Don Persin with Margaret Weis. Fans may also be interested in checking out Krynn’s official ‘Third Edition Web site, the Dragonlance Nexus, at [Link], There’s nor much there now, but efforts are underway to create a new online book, Dragonlance Adventures Third Edition, incorporating submissions from fans and supervised by DRAGONEANCE legends such as Tracy Hickman. Enjoy! Trevor Salla ‘Media, Pennsylvania USA It breaks my heart to pieces to contradict the esteemed editor of such a stellar periodical, bur in this I must so do. You speak POLYHEDRON #148 Post Mortem: 147 in your lettercol that “no one has yet chimed in with the definitive Thied Edition version Of draconians,” yer this is not entirely born of fact. The paperback version of the novel Draconian Mensures contains the very definitive Third Edition version of draconians (by our own Steve Miler, sq.), and I encourage all your readers to hie themselves posthaste to their booksellers for all their draconianological needs, Yours in great respect, Mike Selinker RPG R&D, Wizards of the Coast Trevor and Mite werent the only ones to chime in on our draconian gfe last issue, Let it be known that we occasionally print an error or two within these hallowed pages (put don’t spread it around too far, okay:). Thanks for setting 1s straight, folks. For call of ou seking sats for weird ddrgonmen who do strange things like turn to stone or blow up when they dic, look no further than your local bookstre! BACK TO THE DARK AGES? Tm sorry to have to admit that Lam very disappointed with the Palybedrn that arrived the other day (issue #147). Production wise, it was excellent, and I can’t faule that You and your team are doing some superb work on that front. The content, however, is another thing: A little over twelve months ago, the Australian RPGA switched from the US Poly to the UK Poly because many of us fel that the D&D-centric US version was irrelevant. The UK version turned out to bea completely different animal, with far less D&D material and more interesting stuff When the UK Poly was discontinued after issue #8, it ‘was my understanding that the content of the new worldwidle Poly was going to be a mixture of the old! US style one, with, the more eclectic UK one, with the production quality of the UK version. While I can say that the production quality of the new worldwide Poly exceeds (by a LARGE margin) the quality of even the UK poly, the content is still pretty much the same as the old US version, especially in the case of issue #147. From the read T had through it the other night, the only non- D&D stuff I could find was a mention of Shadomra in ‘one of the sidebars in the Ogham article Tappreciate that the vast majority of US members will only look at D&D-based arti- les, However, from the old issues of the UK Poly T received, it would seem that there are plenty of people in Burope who like articles on stuff other than D&D, as do ‘many of the people I Know here in Australia So, is the problem just a lack of articles? Td like to see the contentimproving the way it was when the first few issues of the worldwide Poly came out, But given #147, Tm afraid that its slipping back into the dark ages. Geoff Skellams Ferny Grove, Queensland Australi 13 touchingly ironic that the issue in which Geoff letter asking for more ‘non-D&D content is printed isthe same magazine that features an 11-page All Flesh Must be Eaten article... by Geoff hivwself! Soil, he’ got a point. The last couple isues of Polyhedron have bcen pretty D&D hicary When we combined the venerable US Poly with the plucky UK version afew months back, it was our inten tom to cater to all of our various ‘audiences. Though DUNGEONS & DRAGONS enjoys popularity all over the world, it a fact that non-US ‘members tend t0 be a little more ‘adventurous in their gaming, sampling from lots of different systems rather than sticking with just one (On the other band, Polyhedron has «along history of supporting the needs of D&D fins, including players of ur varios LIVING ™ campaigns, mast of which use the D&D rules engine. Up until now, it largely been an issue of article supply. When we got a _good, printable article, we published it, no master what the system. It just so happens that the number of would-be D&D writers absolutely dovarfs (get it2) the rmumiber of writers interested in smaller _grames, 9 it3 posible for us to have absoluiely no non-D&D content ready 10,90 once it time to put an iswe gether. The numberof people who nant material supporting other games in Poly pretty significantly outnumbers the number of people willing to actually write it. We can’ print articles that haven t been written. EDITOR Wat docs the future bold? With the sift of Polyhedvon to the Official 120 Magazine (ee Network News for the straight skinny), well be sticking pretty religiously t0 the geome system that powers DUNGEONS & DRAGONS. ‘That suid, while swords and dragons mill abvays have a place in these ‘pages, well be taking our new respon sibility seriously, pushing the 420 rales into genres and settings that ug to inspire even the most jaded ddabbler in m dowen game systems. HEORON RUNNING IN SHADOWS. WHOOO!!!! WHOOOO!!!!!!! It’s been a few days now, and Fm still as giddy as a munchkin with a +5 sorped sword after receiving my first copy of Polyhedron! SWEET! I noticed that there is a Livin” Seattle campaign based in the Shadowrun world [ Virtual Seartle -Ed.]. Is Wirards of the Coast planning on buying Shadowrun from FASA? T hope so, because Shadowrun is ‘wicked, and if given a bit of work, it could be big $88. (Or at least I think so, Tove that world’s nice combo of high tech and fantasy.) Thanks for the show of enthusiasm, Darren. While Wizards of the Coast din tsvecp in to save Shadowrun following FASAS recent collapse, another company, Wiz. Kids, id. That company and a group of sfirelancers called Fantasy Productions publish the game now, and have some interesting things in store. Check out www sbadowrun- [Link] for more details. ® Ocroaer 2001 1314 PILLARS fore than 10,000 members of the RPGA” Me have participated in the Livise CEN Rate Bure canoe lat Babee ane han Gn yar pn Periph nes pee lage Gast oo ats pate sor the iy of Ravens esting the cy from demented tlemeitaliaty rampaging gins, denenc ivan and Se ai fee cinco ced alt Stee Maven Hf hast offer BaD ar cincnct Ding Nags el mc ty Troy Danish and Jon Nichols ilttatd ths ein ely. The tworound scenario, which premiered fe Wren Rasraer™; ferred a porn which es pees etieec iced oes cl ess Fe lay toe pr dcp ber ad td pci huractr nthe player exch they might recive ina “Cai” character provided scenario. Thus eae eg ed ees ele whe peste petra nie NPCS ia eel ie i carat Who vee the opel charates None oer than the cree of Ravens Ble? polite crop digit Who had, over the course of the campaign, been reséued from this or that predicament by player characters time and time again. Last issue, we Featured four such characters Lord Mayor Charles Oliver O'Kane, Bards Guildmaster Colin O'Lyre, Lady Lauren DeVillar, and ‘Lady Penclope Norwood. This time we round out the ‘group of rescuers with four more highly-placed mem: hers of Ravenian society. CHIEF PRELATE “RELARN DAYSPRING Managing Ravens BlafP's contentions Clerical Circle can be trying for even the calmest of patriarchi. Relare Dayspring oil be hacky if it dees’ il im. ile sill respected, even by bis foes, at vigilant enemy of evil, the deeply conflicted ceric of Lashander of late bas allen sic fo several secret scbemes thas base detply ‘compromised bis objectivity. Proud and confident in bis “ily ta weather the storm, Deyiprieg represents a angerous security rish for the City of Ravens. Relarn Dayspring: Male human Clr 8; CR 18; ‘Mediumssize humanoid (human) HD 1848+76; hp 1345 Init +25 Spd 20 fts AC 26 (touch 12, flat-footed ah Atk +21/416/+21 melee (1d8+8, +r heavy mace), or +15/+10/+5 ranged touch (by spell); AL LG; SV Fort +16, Ref +11, Will +23 Ste 16, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 17, Wis 23 (25) Cha 17. POLYHEDRON #148 oF RAVENS BLUFF WAITTEN BY THE RPGA STAFF + ILLUSTRATED [BY KALMAN ANDRASOFSZXY Skills and Feats: Concentration +23, Diplomacy +45 Heal 118, Knowledge (the planes) +13, Knowledge (eligion) +24, Sery +24, Spelleraft +245 Combat = Casting, Empower Spel, Extend Spel, Extra Turning (£3), Maximize Spell, Spel Penetration Spells pe Day: 6/8/8/87/7/6/s14/3. Base DC~ 19 + spell level. Deity: Lathander. Domains: Good (you cast good spells at +1 caster level} Sun (greater turning a/day turned creatures are destroyed instead). Possessions: Amulet of natural armor +4, +5 chain _mail, cloak of resistance +3, figurine of wondrous pow- er Gerpentine owl} +5 heavy mace, pearl of power GS level spell periape of wisdom +. APPEARANCE, ‘Relarn Dayspring has had a hell of 2 year. He does lit tle to mask the pain and exhaustion that mars his face like the ink of an emotional tattoo, and the formerly ‘proud mati now slouches in his stance, often Forgetting to comb his thinning brown hair or to wear a clean set ‘of clothes. Whereas Dayspring once preferred to wear simple temple robes at all occasions, he now dons his chain mail armor minutes after waking up in the ‘morning, and sometimes even forgets to take it off before retiring for the evening. His powerful mace romains at his side at all hours of the day PERSONALITY Most citizens of Ravens Bluff know Relarn Dapspring 28 a kind caring patcarch—a pensive, carfsl man who weighs stcs from all perspectives before announcing his opinion or rungs on matters of import. A good sndge of character, Daypring prefers to quiet observe a situation before speaking o ating, taking the meas- te of everyone involved and approaching political raters Grom a strong strategic poitib, Despite his cstentatios til, Dayspring avoids overy ornate cere ‘mony. His unwillngnes to get into grandsanding shotrial bales with ocher members of the Cirle leas some to view him as provincial, but even his political enemis respect him. He appreciates fine food and ranks among Ravens Blufs most devoted admires of good mos The events ofthe pait two years which have sen him stricken mysteriously il is childeen kidnapped, an his temple brought co shambles, have weighed heavily upon him. Often distracted very ral sain of paranoia has worked ts way into bis ehowghts, and careful deliberation that ones stemmed from a desire to look at issues from several perspectives has become something of « mad Ihynt Forth latest plot againstee hhim. He strongly believes that only fie can lead the Circle in ths trying time, and remains convinced that several members of the order wish to oust him, which he views as fa great victory for evil which he simply cannot allow to happen, Position AND DUTIES As chief prelate of the Clerical Circle, Relarn Dayspring is responsible For ensuring that the needs of the city’s Civic ‘Religion (made up of temples to Chauntea, Gond, Helm, Lathander, Mystra, Seline, Tempus, Tymora, Tyr, and Waukcen) hold influence over the government of Ravens Bluff. To this end, he has the ear of Lord Mayor O'Kane, and often mects with representatives of the Council of Lords and Merchants Council. More often thar not, his ‘postion sees im 2s the moderator of heated discussions between members of the Circle (zealous disciples of ten different gods seldom agree unanimously, a task he enjoys History Bora fifty-two years ago to common parents in the City of Ravens, che young Relarn Dayspring dreamed of tecoming an adventurer. Asa boy he played with wooden swords and shields, hoping to enter the citys army’ and hence 4 world of thrills and challenges. On his seven teenth birhday, however, Relara was struck and nearly Killed by a runaway chariot. During bis convalescence he Faled in and out of consciousness fr quently. During onc such spell he experienced a deeply ‘uystical Vision that led him to the Lathanderian Faith, aud upon his Full ecovery be enrolled in the church asa junior erie Ps Bue the adventuring bug still burned strong within him. Tn 1341 DR, Lady Lauren DeVillars called the Champion's Games, proclaiming thatthe winner would become Lord Mayor of Ravens Bluff Though he had no interest in running the city (and no honest expectation that he could win the tournament), Relarn entered the contest, hoping to make contacts with ocher adventure ‘minded individuals His defeat in ehe First round failed to dent his enthusiasm, as the very man who had knocked hima out ofthe competition mae him just the offer held teen looking for. That man, 2 warrior priest of Tempus ‘known as Blue Sannath, had been impretsed by the Young Dayspring’s vigor, and offered him a place in his adven- turing band, the Argent Brotherhood. For seven years, Relacn Dayspring served asa spiritual amide (and, Frequently, a much-needed healer) for the Brotherhood, which traveled throughout the Vast fighting agents of Molmaser, the Cle of the Dragon, and the hentarimn, The bands dike For Zhents grew into a vendetta, which ed to terrible consequences. In 1348, ster infiltrating a secret Zhentarim stronghold in the mountains east of the village of Blanaer, the party fell victim to hocrible trap. In the ensuing debacle, all but Dayspring and Sannath were killed. Both suffered! ‘unspeakable tortures Sannsach had the skin peeled from his face, and Dayspring’s left hand was sawn off at the wwrise. In a final act of arrogance, the Zhents released the pair as a warning to other adventurers in the region. Relarn returned to Ravens Bluff in disgrace, seeking solace at the Halls of the Morning Light, Lathander’s splendid cathedral. He never saw Blue Sannath again. He felt in pare responsible for getting the Brotherhood cap- ‘ured, and nover again could he face his former leader. ‘The Lathandetian clerics healed his wounded hand, but ‘the emotional scars of the event plague him to this day. Tn 1360 DR, Dayspring made the acquaintance of ‘lata Restivan, a hero from the Threskan campaign against Yamun Khehan’s Tuigan Horde, which had invad: ced Faertin earlier in the year. The two hit it off, and within two months they were married. Having put the * failures of the past behind him as best as he was able, Dayspring concentrated on his religions and marital life. Tin 1362 he was named High Morninglord of the temple ‘of Lathander and his wife gave birth to a son, Balament. ‘Two years later, Alara produced female twins, Zelana and Batrid Dayspring. Ocroner 2001 15* But trouble lurked near. In 1370 DR, Chief Prelate- that he can be influenced ehrough his children. He has Sirrus Melandor of Tyr was slain by demons in the taken some effort to protoct them—hiring guards to streets of Ravens Bluff, a precursor to the war that wateh them while he sin couneil and the Hke—but his ‘would beset the city later that year. Relarn was named unwillingness to speak out against Cerephane was a ‘to the position by unanimous agreement of the high niajor blow to the Clerical Circle, and more than a few priests on the Clerical Circle members of Ravensar clergies whisper that it may'be During the war against the forces of the Warlord time to elect a new chief prelate ‘Myrkyosa Jelan, Relarn Dayspring’s life became even - ‘more complicated. Alara, who had enlisted in the army ‘LORD MAGISTRATE 2ssoon a Jean proved hers acaebleadverary dé OR DON SUREBLADE appeared in early fighting and was assumed dead, since diyinations revealed nothing of her fate. Perhaps due to Te svealth flowing through Ravenian markets ensures Grief (or, as many suggest, due to magical tampering), . mo shortage of crooks and cuttbroatz. ben captured, Dayspring fll into a deep illness from which he did such outs invariably come before the stony faced Tordan not emerge for sic months His kthargy infected the SureBlade, Lord Magittrae of Ravens Blaff. Known Clerical Circle emotionally if not physically, andthe by eriminals fram all corners of the Vast asa staunch body. missed many key opportunities to aid the city supporter of law and an unflinchingly bones operator, during the war. the Tormtar paladin brings a much-needed sense of Shortly following Jelan’s eventual defeat, mysterious credibility [Link] legal system of Ravens Bluff. assailants kidnapped Dayspring’s three children. Many on the Circle suspected that the whole affair had been ‘Tordon Sureblade: Male human Pala-% CR 175 orchestrated by Cerephane, a strange, beguiling mer‘ Medium-size humanoid (human), HD 17d 0¥3 45 hp chant who hoped to enroll her temple to Sharess to the 135 Init +25 Spd 20 ft; AC 29 (touch 13, Nar footed CGivie Religion and hence gain a seat on the Clerical 28} Atk ea y/+18fs23/+8 melee (1d8hs/19-20 +ad6 Gircle. Many suspected Cerephane of being a masked aly damage to evil creatures, +3 holy longsword) or devil, her temple a sham and cover for 2 much darker +18/+13/+8/+3 ranged touch (by spell SA Smite evi, religion dedicated to diabolism, Adventurers in sevice turn undead 7/day; SQ Aura of courage, detect evi, to Cerephane “miraculously” rescued Dayspting’s hil- divine grace, divine health, empathic link with mount, dren a few weeks after their capture. This coupled with "griffon mount, lay on hands, remove disease 5/week, the fact that the Chief Prelate had not spokeu out pub- share spells with mount. AL LG; SV Fort +29, Ref licly against the socalled “House of Desires” +414, Will +17; S45, Dex 42, Con 24, Int 14, Wis confirmed many suspicions. Though Dayspting himsel! 18, Cha 38. denied any connection he has lost some credibility Shils and Feats Concentration +1 2, Diplomssey +49, among his more cynical peers. Handle Animal +19, Knowledge Gocel) 9, ‘ut Dayspring’s tragic yoar was just getting started. Knowledge (religion) +12, Profession Guage) 19, Ride Within two weeks of cho return of his childcen, 116; Lack of Heroes, Mounted Combat, Power Attack, Relarn’s beloved brother Harold Dayspring, coowner Ride By Attack, Spirited Charge, Trample, Weapon of the venerable Ravens Blu Trumpecer broadsheet, Focus (longsword) was killed by a runaway chariot in an accident with sew- Special Attacks Smit Evil Sa 1/day add +g 0 eral cetie similarities to that of Relarn’s youth tack roll and +17 to damage against an evil crearare Thnexplicably, the most powerful resurrection magics Turn Undead (Su As 15%2level clei. failed to restore Harold to life, and Relarn entered a ‘Special Qualities Aura of Courage (Su) Immune to deeper stage of mourning fear, allied within 10 ft. gin a +4 morale bonus on Things got considerably worse when the elemental _saving throws against fear effects. Detect Bil Spy At ‘cabal known as the irele of Four utterly destroyed the wil. Divine Grace: Saving throws include Charisma Halls of the Morning Light, crushing dozcbs of priests modifier. Divine Health: Immune to all diseases under rubble. For more than a week, Dayspring Empathic Link Sa Can communicate telepathically dithered, not sure wha action to tele in the Face of with mount up to one mile distant. Griffon Mout. such wanton destruction. Finally, a Sembian architect Lay: on Hands Sp} Heal up to 68 points of damage named Raphiconas offered to design and build a new per day, oF deal up to 68 points of damage per day to temple for Ravens Bluf?'s Lathanderites. Work on the undead as if using « touch spell Share Spells: Any spell ‘temple called the Halls of the Glorious Dawn, began >. cast by paladin also affects mount if within sf. last year and is expected to be finished some time in, Spells per Duy 3/3/3/» Base DC ~ 14+ spell level 1373 DR. Possessions Cloak of resistance +3, +3 fal plate, +3 “Though Relarn Dayspring has yet o succumb to ‘oly TonBsworde +3 large steel shield, ring of protection depression, careful observers of city polities now know +2, piplactery of Feighaness, winged Boots. 16 POLYHEDRON #148 =‘evidha: Female griffon special mount; CR 53 Large beast, HD 1341 0¢395 hp 110; Inie-+2; Spd 30 fe, fly Bo Fe. (average’s AG 22 (touch 11, flat footed 20}; Atk ‘+14 tnelee (ad6r5, bite) +7/+7 melee (adges, claws) ace/Reach ft by 10 ft/s Fe; SA Pounce, rake; SQ_ Daylight Spot bonus, seent, AL N; SV Fort +13, Ref +10, Will +6; Str 21, Dex 13, Con 16, Int 8, Wis 13, Cha 8 ‘Stills Jump +12, Listen +8, Spot +2. ‘Special Attacks Pounce (Ex If a griffon dives or leaps upon a for in the First round of combat, it ean make a full attack evenif it has already taken a move action. Rake Fx}: A griffon that pounces on an opponent can make two rake attacks 8 melee) with its hind legs for d6+5 slashing damage each. ‘Special Qualities: Command\Sp): Can command geif- fons with fewer hie die than itself 8/éay. Daylight Spot Bonus (Ex): Griffous receive 4 +4 circumstance bonus to Spot checks made in the daylight. Empathie Link (Su) Can communicate telepathically with master toa distance of one mile. Improved Evasion (Ex) Reflex saves for Inalf damage are at half or none, Scent (Ex): Can detect ‘opponents within 0 ft. by sense of smell. Can follow tracks with Wisdom ebecks, APPEARANCE. ‘The severe Tordon Sureblade spends most of his days in the black and brown robes of his office at the courts * When on the town, he often dons his impressive place imail armor, in part because he wishes to be ready for any- thing but also because he believes it makes him look handsome. He's always been conscious of his appearance, but now that he's approsching his Fifty-cighth birthday hi's beginning to despsir that he will never find a wife, While he remains decply committed to his postion, he has of late attended several society functions in Uptown, ‘even pretending to enjoy the festive party atmospheres and the “absurd” costumes often required of attendees When not at court, Sureblade delights in riding his special mount, the griffon Zerash, high over the City of Ravens. PERSONALITY (Criminals curse Tordon Sureblade for his tireless dedica- tion to justice, comntenting sadly about nis knack for ‘remembering the faces of those who have appeared in his court in the past. They bemoan his alertnes, his know!- ‘edge of the law, and his unswerving Focus More objective observers praise his patience, his fear- lesanes in battle, and his ability to make fast, skillfl judgements both in the courtzoom and on the field of battle. They note his charitable donations, both to the church of Torm ard to the Fanilies of criminals he has sent to prison or the gallows. ‘Tordon has a very dry, very funny sense of humor, ‘though only his closest friends or Companions ever get a chance to appreciate it as he prefers to keep that side of ‘himself private, Though dooply religious and dedicated to orm the True, Sureblade respects all goodly religidtis, ‘nd has been kriown to go light on sentences of genuinely repentant religious criminals. He feels awkward in most secial situations, and hates aimless small talk. A bona-fide ‘chess master, Tordon tends to view his court appearances as chess matches, with insignificant-seeming “moves” ‘coming into play later, trapping his adversary in a legal checkmate Position anpD Duties ‘As lord magistrate, ureblade must manage the opera- tions of the lower courts and judges, preside as judge over ‘the city’s highest court, and supervise the codification of the ety’ laws Because the-city attracts and produces so many criminals, Tordon is forced to do a lot of paper ‘work himself, which regretfully Keeps him away from the adventuring life His positon carries with it « eat on the Council of * Lords, a duty the lord magistrate is loath to endare, as he has little tolerance for the pretensions and buffeonery of the nobility. In Fact, some of the les scrupulous lords of the city view Tordon Sureblade asa hostile, meddling nui sance. They se¢ him as a commoner who has risen too far above his station to be useful and who, ust maybe, ought to be taken care of on a permanent basis by Whatever means are most expedient and least traceable OcroneR 2001 17 piensa mies deal18 Hisrory ordon Sureblade came to Ravens Bluff when he was only five years old having fled with bis father and half-brother from their home village of Dead Tree Hollow, which had been ravaged by 2 wandering band ‘of minotaurs. Tordon noticed the rampant corruption of Ravens Bluff at a very carly age, but instead of suc ‘cumbing to it and joining a street gang as many of his playmates did, ae decided to influence Ravens Bluff from within by joining the city government. He knew that doing so would require an education, however, so hile bis friends played in the streets he studied in ‘musty libraries teaching himself how to read by poring ‘over tomes of history politics, and religion ‘At some point during his studies he eame upon the ‘teachings of Torm, and soon fell in with a band of ‘Tormitar priests and philosophers. To his surprise and delight, Tordon discovered a great power sirgng within him—recognition from’ Torm himself that he was to act a a favored servant of the Loyal Fury. He beeame 2 paladin, and with his newfound friends he ventured across the Dragon Reach, adventuring for a few years in distant Semabiz, Eventually, however, he longed to ‘return tothe city that had become his childhood home. ‘The strength of will he recvved from Torm spoke to his heart, telling him that he could make an important difference in the ity of Ravens. Upon his return, he enrolled asa barrister and began arguing cases before the Lord Magistrate. In this duty he stared tne city’s corruption straight inthe eyes, always tempering his frustration with the belief that eventually, he would be able to make a difference. At times it seemed as though no one appreciated his efforts, but eventually they attracted the attention of Lady Lauren DeVillars, who had a mind to clean up the city, She and Tordon becaine fast friends, and the young paladin contributed many suggestions to the plan * that eventually brought about the Champion’s Games and restored a semblance of order to the city In 1348 DR, the old Lord Magistrate stepped down, and the jockeying for his position grew fierce, with sev- ral openly corrupt lords vying for the appointment or Forwarding puppets for consideration, Tordon had dis- tinguished himself carlicr in the year by prosecuting a high profile murder trial against the mad diviner Griz Zemladiken, who had harvested the lives ad small intestines of Crow's Find beggars for much of the previ- ‘us year in preparation for a fanciful imaginary ceremony known as the Organic Convergence. The recognition following Zemladiken’s convietion brought Sureblade’s name to the top of the contender list, and in early 1349 DR he became Ravens BlufPs lord magistrate. Jn the more than twenty years since his appointment, Sureblade has dedicated himself to revamping the city's criminal code, ensuring that itis clea, flexible, and fair PoLyHEDRON #148 ‘Most of all, he has done everything within his power to ensure that the law looks upon al citizens equally, ensuring that evil or corrupt nobles cat simply hide behind their titles to dedge justice. OF course, he hasn't been completely suceessful—old influence remains strong, even in the Gity of Ravens % SHEENRA DUTH The Harpers bave agents throughout Patria. With it confluence of magical catastrophes and propenily fo satiract powerful onsiders and cil selenite it shonld ome a lite surprise that Ravens Bluff sprts« band ful of Harper Friends and minor agents. Fllewing the ‘war against Myrkysa Yolen, bovever, Those who Harp Dave taken a more profound interes in the iy By di fetching the scout Shenra Dat. The reports tent ack ber masters may bave importent ramification: inthe smontbs 10 come. Sheenra Duth: Female hamas Rogi4/Harper Scout 25 CR 16; Mediumsie humancid (human HD 146128120644; hp 88; Init +7; Spd 30 fts AC 2 ouch 19, at footed 18), Atk +17/+1/+7 melee (1d6+6/16-20fea, 44 rapier) or 22/41 712 ranged (ad6eg/es, 12 short bow SA Sueak attack +76, favored enemy (Gult of the Dragons SQ Denier’ ey, Harper knowledge, improved evasion, skill focus, slip ‘gery mind, uncanny dodge; AL CG; SV Fort +6, Ref +419, Will +10; Str 14, Dex 24, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 13, Cha 26. Skills and Feats: Balance +2.1, Blff + 7, Decipher Script +11, Diplomacy +24, Disable Device +8, Disguise +20, Gather Information +16, Hide +17, Innuendo +8, Intimidate +5, Jump +4, Knowledge (local) +7, Listen +18, Move Silently +20, Open Leck +1, Perform +10, Pick Pocket + 1, Search +20, Sense Motive +18, Spot +18, Tumble 124, Use Magic Device +9, Wilderness Lore «35 Alertness, Bind-fight, Expertise, Improved Critical (Fapier} Improved Disarm, Iron Will, Weapon Finesse (rapier) Harper scout spells known(s; base DO= 13 + spell level 1st—charm person, comprehend languages, message, spider climb. Possessions: +s leather armor, 1g rapier, +2 short bow, +2 arrows (18) ring of protection +2, bat of disguise. APPEARANCE. Sheenra passes for 28years old, though in truth she’s lived a decade longer. Her youthful presence comes from good looks and a tendency to view everything through an oppressively optimistic filer. She's good Tooking in bubbly, bouncy sense, and her infectious smile and laughter makes her the center of attention. nearly everywhere she goes: When on a mission,she tends to use her hat of disguise to assume an appear ance appropriate to the task at hand PERSONALITY Sheenra’s exuberant passion for life shines through in her ‘bright blue eyes. She seems to love simply being alive, whether dancing under cover at @ nobles ball or crawling. ‘through pig manure to stake out a better spot from ‘hich to eavesdrop. Her presence attracts others and her ‘energetic demeanor tends to rub off on her companions, ‘enhancing their moods simply by hanging around. Even when engaged in a conversation or walking through a crowded room, Duth’s eyes always carefully take in the scene. She has an eidetic memory, and can eas- ily recall things she’s simply glimpsed, making her an invaluable Harper agent. A thief in the truest sense of the word, Sheenra incorporates theft into nearly all of hher missions simply because it gives her great thrill to take something that isn’t hers, She seemingly lives life by this metric, engaging in those activities she finds thrilling and ignoring just about everything else, She has suffered great losses of family and friends in the past, which has convinced her to take dangerous chances whenever poss ble, Afterall, she reasons, having had everything she cared about taken from her alzeady, what more ean she posibly los? Position AND DuTiEs Sheenra is a wandering agent of Those who Harp, observ- ing the affairs of the City of Ravens and reporting back ‘to her superiors through intermediaries. Though she has contact with many Harper Friends in the city, ers is not 1 recruitment mission. She sometimes forwards the ‘names of those who have helped her to her superiors, but she is not authorized to initiate someone into the organi Originally sent to keep an eye on Ravens Bluff with ‘the plan to write up a general summary for higher placed Harpers, Sheenra was surprised to uncover a plot by an. evil organization known as the Consortium of the Bloody Fang shortly after arriving in the city. She has since been ‘asked with remaining in che city and acting against the ‘Bloody Fang whenever possible while remaining alert to additional threats History Sheenra Duth was bora in Athkaela, in Amn, to a mer chant family deeply enmeshed in dangerous political feuding. These intrigues led to het mother being kid rapped and decapitated by «rival merchant, who later slew'her Father by stabbing him in publi with a poisoned knife, She gained her revenge upon the hated merchant, burning his house and shop after robbing both blind. With her newly gained loot, Duth bankrolled 2 hasty rétreat from Amn, traveling southwestern Faerdn for a handful of years, (On one such trip, she encountered a wandering min serel and immediately took to the man. After following hhim from city to city pestering him to reveal his tales and professing a love for the life of a traveling m the bewildered Harper dropped her off at Twilight Hall, in Berdusk, where she began her Harper training, Sheenra rapidly exesperated her trainers by volunteer: ing for every single mission available, often excitedly chatting about her plans only moments after she had ‘thought of them, Her superiors quietly assigned her to ‘minor courier duties, expecting her to cither fail or get tripped up by her shiny dispestion. In Fact, neither hap- poited. Instead, Sheenra found a way to expand apparently insignificant duties into important fact-ind- {ng missions. After one such show of ingenuity revealed the movements of several dozen Zhents over the course ‘of an entire year, her superiors happily promoted her to full Harper Scout status Upon arriving in Ravens Bluff, Sheensa discovered dis- turbing evidence that the Consortium of the Bloody Fang, an offshoot of the Colt of the Dragon, was active in the city, and had plans upon many Ravenaar noble hhouses (including House DeVillars). While the Harpers offically have 2, non intervention policy regarding the OcrozER 2001 19 = Swe20 affairs of the city of Ravens Bluff, they're more than willing to make an exception when dealing with ene mies such as the Bloody Fang, who have husited Harpers for more than 4 century. Sheenra js Fairly open about her Harper status, in part because she hopes it will draw ont agents of the Bloody Fang, She can usually be found hanging around the Wyvern’s Nest, a Zakharan temple off one of the city's many marketplaces CHANEY, CHIEF SPY Ravens Bluff bas countless enemies: such, it sometioes becomes necessary to empley secret agents of questionable characier swho can cperate from the shad- ews, sipping from one periona to anctber after taking care of the government's dirty work Chaney, Revent Bluffs Chief Spy, serves ably in tis capacity, combining a deeply wurtared epportuniim with calenlat- ing pragmatism and the ebiity to take any form he wishes. A doppelganger brought tothe city by a former ignitary, Chaney enjoys bis position and will do any- ‘Shing (within or aitbout reason) to protect it. Chaney: Male doppelganger Rogi6; CR 4 95 Mediumrsine shapcehangcr; HD 484+ 1616026; hp 94 Init +85 Spd 30 fts AC 18 (Couch 14, flat Footed 14) Atk +aa/tag/enaleg mele (1dga6/17-20)k2, +5 dagger of venom’ SA Detect thoughts, sneak ateack +846, crippling strike; SQ_Arter self, immunities, uncanny dodge, improved evasion, slippery mind AL. NE; SV Fore +5, Ref +5, Will s6;See 12; Dex 18, Con 13, Int 15, Wis 14, Cha 13 ‘Shils and Feats Buff 2.0, Climb +14, Decipher Script +11, Diplomacy +19, Disguise +23, Fscape “Artist +9, Forgery +6, Gather Information +40, Hide 43 Tntimidate +22, Jump +4, Listen $1, Fick Pockets +6, Read Lips +6, Search +11, Sense Motive +6, Spot +10, Tumble +9, Use Rope +95 Alerenes, Combat Reflexes, Doige, Expertise, Improved Critical (age), Improved Initiative. ‘Special Attacks: Detect thoughts: Chaney can cont uous detect choughts asthe spell cast by an 18t evel sorcerer (save DC 1 3). He can suppress or resume this ability as a free action, Special Qualities: Alver sf: Chaney can assume the shape of any Small or Mediumsize humanoid a alter self cast by an 18love sorcerer (though he ca remain in this shape indefinitely). Changing forms ia standard action: Immunities Immune t0 sleep and charm effets Skills Chaney reeives 2-4 racal bonus to Bluff and Disguise checks. When using his alter self ability, Chaney reeives an addtional +16 circumstance bonus to Disguise cheeks. IF he can read an opponent's tind, Chaney [Link] +4 circumstance bonus to POLYHEDRON #148. ‘Bluff and Disguise checks Possessions: +5 leather armor, +5 dagger of venom (2) amulee of proof againse detection and location APPEARANCE [Asa doppclganger, Chaney can assume countless guises. He docs, honever, have three prefered forms, cach of which has a sparate identity and personality. “Chaney” hime is one such entity, 2 mask worn by an inh saa predator. Years living among humans may have tamed the beast behind the diaguises but deep within, it keeps its om eounei, and never revels true appearance. Caney: The doppelganger prefers this of all its human forms, and assumes it whenever i is not ative Iy pretending tobe something ele. Te has come to secnt this form with “est which i greatly apprs- ciates Like a Favorite shit, the Chaney ghse suits the creatore well and it finds comfort in wearing it “The form is that ofa short human male, shout 5 Ft. im tall He wears is greasy long ir pulled back into slick ponytail. He wears back leather armor and openly beers his twin daggers of venomon his belt. There's an aura of menace about him, in par dv to his beady eyes and harlip. The doppelgager stole the form from a wererat it murdered inthe sewers of Ravens Blof shorly aftr its arial, and i ames itself by playing up its ratike tendencies in hopes that enemies wll underestimate its true power. Foltor: The doppelganger prefers to wear this guise when working in buses districts Peltor appears a a hulking, supid human labore. Pretending fo be slow witted and Iilable, the doppelganger preys off of the scrogance of people who speak openly in Front of oti- rs they deem too sup fo do hem harm, Is detect thoughts ability, of cous, alto comes in helpful in this Sead Hoot Wh spying near the Hathor District or one of the city gates, the doppegsnger prefers the form of Hoot, legless harsan beggar of indssriminat sex who thks outa meager living a8 strytlle: Hoot’ nasil sme comes from the spastic noises the doppelganger sometimes adds in the middle of one ofthe stories i fecls the ontburss gives its performance a ertain authenticity appreciated by the type of smuggler cum it usually Kees tabs on wen working ner the harbor. PERSONALITY Chaney doesn’t care one bit about the welfare of Ravens Bluff. He does, however, greatly appreciate his generous salary and the Fact that, occasionally, he gets to bloody his hands while on offical city business. In the years since arriving in the city, he has grown to apprecist® how: much easier it i to live within human walls than it was f live. outside them, in the harsh