Testing Out Crimson Blades CharGen

For those who don't know, Crimson Blades is an D&D-styled game by Simon Washbourne of Barbarians of Lemuria fame. The rules are simple and uses only d6s — to-hits, hit points, damage, saves, etc. The setting found in Crimson Blades is the Crimson Lands, a dark-fantasy/sword & sorcery world shaped by decadent, dying race of dark elves based on Elric of Melniboné.

Not too long ago, I purchased the Crimson Blades core rulebook and the Crimson Lords rule supplement. Later I found out that the game is going through a major rule overhaul and is going to be divided into four core rulebooks — Crimson Blades, Crimson Scrolls, Crimson Lords and Crimson Lands — for an upcoming box set. The best rule change is the way it streamlined the way you make rolls. In the original rules, you only roll one die, but the target number lowers as your character gains level. For example, the primary skill of a Thief is rated as "3+", or a three or better on a d6 roll. In the new rules, you can gain additional dice during advancement for different rolls, and you only need a 5 or 6 for success. The primary skill of a Thief is now rated as "2D", or two dice rolled to get a 5+ on at least one die. The rules also changed defense form a third edition D&D model (adjusted for d6 rolls) where DEX and armor adjust a single Armor Class score, to a Conan D20-like model with a basic dodge defense score (adjusted by DEX and shield-use), called Defense Class, and Damage Reduction for body armor. There are a number of other changes. All around, this is a greatly improved system, but I would get into the details in an other, fuller review.

Original picture can be found here. (not mine)

Here is what a (revised) Crimson Blades character looks like using my favorite old-school D&D "Iconic" as an example: Morgan Ironwolf. (from Basic D&D, 2nd ed)

In the Basic D&D rulebook, she is a first level Lawful human Fighter. That matches up with what is available in CB.

Using the same Ability scores rolled (no point allocation are used in CB), she has: STR 15, INT 7, WIS 11, DEX 13, CON 14 and CHA 8. The revised Crimson Blades rules use a uniformed adjustment array, and eliminates a number of the derived stats (namely, Feat of Strength, Lore and Notice). The Ability adjustments are: STR +1, INT -1, WIS +0, DEX +0, CON +1 and CHA +0. The adjustments are so spread out compared to Basic, point allocation makes no difference in squeezing-out an extra +1 to STR.

A Strength score of 15 means a +1 to melee damage, "Things" carried, grappling, throwing, breaking down doors, pulling/lifting/dragging heavy objects, etc.

A Dexterity score of 13 means no adjustments to rolling to hit, Defense Class, or Reflex saves.

A Constitution score of 14 means a +1 to Hit Points or Fortitude saves.

A Intelligence score of 7 means a -1 to figuring out problems, and is granted no additional languages. She is unable to cast spells or summon.

A Wisdom score of 11 means no adjustments to Willpower saves or to notice things.

A Charisma score of 8 means no adjustments to influence people, and she has up to 4 loyal hirelings.

As a Fighter, she meets the 9+ STR class requirement.

She has the option to choose Fort or Ref as her primary save, and chooses Fortitude. At first level, normal saves are only one die (1D), while a primary save uses two dice (2D). Her saves are: Fort 2D+1, Ref 1D and Will 1D.

Her Hit Dice is "1d6(+2)" at first level, meaning that she rolls one die for attacks-per-round and Hit Points with the the bonus applied to the later. With CON, her Hit Point roll is 1d6+3. As a 5 was rolled in the book, she gets 8 Hit Points.

She gets no Defense Class bonus form DEX or class. The base Defense Class score is 3.

She can use any weapon or armor, including shields. Her Armour Training allows her to ignore DC penalties for wearing medium-heavy or heavy armor. She can choose one type of weapon to be her Favored Weapon, which grains an extra Hit Die to attacks and Fighter Stunt rolls while wielding her preferred weapon. As she starts with a sword as her primary weapon, her Favored Weapon is (normal) Swords. She is also capable of preforming special actions in combat, like disarming foes, cutting rope with an arrow, unblousing a woman with the sword-tip and the like with a Fighter Stunt roll. It is equal to her Hit Die plus STR or DEX. (In her case, STR.)

The revised Crimson Blades rules dropped Experience Points in favor of Adventure quotas. As she is a fresh character, her (total completed) Adventures is marked as 0, with only one Adventure needed to reach second level.

As noted, her Alignment is Lawful. Unlike Basic D&D, Alignment is not about morality, but an adherence to order, balance or discord on a social and cosmic level. In her case, "Law implies honor, trustworthiness, obedience to authority, and reliability. On the downside, lawfulness can include closed-mindedness, reactionary adherence to tradition, judgmentalness, and a lack of adaptability. Those who consciously promote lawfulness say that only lawful behavior creates a society in which people can depend on each other and make the right decisions in full confidence that others will act as they should."

I ran into a problem were the cost of mail armor and the bow are much more than what is printed in Basic D&D and goes beyond her original budget of 110 gold pieces, so I added the end result. Silvered weapons are not apart of the CB equipment lists, so it was dropped. I added some additional equipment to round-out her gear. Here is her inventory:

• Mail armor
• Shield
• Sword
• Bow
• Quiver of 20 arrows
• Average cloths
• Backpack
• Bedroll
• Bottle of wine
• Leather flask
• Hemp rope, 50'
• Pole, 10'
• Sack
• Iron spikes, x12
• Torches, x6
• Trail rations, 7 days
• 2gp

Her mail armor can absorb 3 points of damage, per hit, and her shield raiser her Defense Class by one, making it 4.

With her sword, her attack roll is 2D, with a damage die of 1D+1. And with her bow, her attack roll is 1D, with a damage die of 1D.

With all her armor, weapons and gear, she counts as having 7 "Things" — an abstract system of encumbrance. (Her cloths and gear counts as one thing.)

Her above average Strength pushes her encumbrance to allow her to carry 6 things and not effect her rate of movement, but since it is one over, her speed is reduced to 9 yards a round.

Lets use assume that she is from Dralucia, a fairly wealthy and well-connected nation that make a great starting point in the Crimson Lands. Her primary language is Dralucian, and since reading & writing counts as a language in itself, she is illiterate.

And finally, here is her card:

Military Structure of Mars (part I)

The military structure on Barsoom (Mars) was laid out in the books (Chessmen of Mars, I think?), but they were fairly simple. So I made my own. I posted in the Warriors of Mars (1974) sub-forum on the Original D&D Discussion community. The following are not canonical to the Barsoom Saga.

Here I added the Odthan and Zeethan ranks. The idea of an Odthan is that they are exceptional soldiers but without the authority that comes with being an officer. The Zeethan ranks separates combat personnel and technical specialists. Zeethans are capable fighters by their own right but their training and combat experiences is geared towards technical tasks and auxiliary support. There are some other non-military ranks near the end.

It should be noted that the way I have it, people are by default warriors. A person can choose to become a pacifist by taking an oath at a temple or gathering hall, were one sheds one's battle-harness (effectively naked) and time and ritual are required to brake the oath. A pacifist cannot take up arms, must submit if "conquered," and attacking an unarmed pacifist is considered weak and dishonorable. Only pacifists can become Healers or Diplomats. Chivalry is gender-neutral: all non-pacifist men and woman are treated as combinations, while pacifists are treated as "woman and children" on Earth.

Military Ranks

Everyone who holds such rank have pledged fealty to a Jed or Jeddak, who also provides their equipment and supplies.


Than (warrior) are regulars within an army. Like Panthan, they are rank-and-file personal who serve as infantrymen, cavalrymen, sailors, marines, scouts, guards, etc. But unlike Panthan, they are loyalists and are not as expendable. Unlike the canonical notes, they have one upright feather (instead of two) noting their rank. They get standard pay.


Hythan (icon-warrior) are the seen as the bravest and most reliable solider in a group. In a troop formation, they are given the honor holding the unit's shield icon. This is a man-portable force-field generator that also serves as the unit's war banner. If he should fall, his unit becomes vulnerable to radium gunfire. They have a small upright feather on the left-side of their main feather. Their pay is x1.5 standard.


Odthan (greater-warrior) are veteran and elite troops. They are troops who proven themselves in combat, but lack the traits (tactics and leadership) to become an officer. They are given better treatment and priority over common troops. They are usually put into reserve, given critical assignments or guard important figures. Their rank feather is flanked by two shorter feathers. They get duplicity (x2) pay.

Padwar (junior-officer) are lieutenants. Unlike Earth lieutenants, one has to earn his way to this rank. They have two feathers noting their rank. Their pay is x2.5 standard. There are three tiers to this rank:
 • Apprentices — They serve as aids to a Dwar, as they learn about tactics and leadership.
 • Commander — They are squad leaders in command of ten men, a team of two-man flyers or a patrol boat.
 • Staffer — They serve under a Dwar's command staff.

Dwar (lower-officer) are the Martian equivalent of an army Captain or naval Commander. They have three feathers noting their rank. Their pay is x5 standard. There are two tiers to this rank:
 • Commander — They command an Utan (100 men) or a Frigate-size ship with outriders (small two-man flyers or patrol boats).
 • Staffer — They serve under a Teedwar's command staff.

Teedwar (middle-officer) are the Martian equivalent of an army Major or naval Captain. They have four feathers noting their rank. Their pay is x10 standard. There are two tiers to this rank:
 • Commander — They command a Dar (1,000 men) or a Cruiser-size ship with Frigate-size escorts.
 • Staffer — They serve under a Odwar's command staff.

Odwar (higher-officer) are the Martian equivalent of an army General or naval Admiral. They have five feathers noting their rank. Their pay is x20 standard. There are two tiers to this rank:
 • Commander — They command an Umak (10,000 men) or an entire fleet from a Battleship-size ship.
 • Staffer — They serve under a Jedwar's command staff.

Jedwar (chief-officer) are the Commander-and-Chief of an entire national army, and are subordinates only to a Jed or Jeddak. They have five feathers separated by six short feathers to note their rank. Their pay is x50 standard.

Jed/Jeddak (chief/chief-supreme) is a leader of an entire nation, and is the Martian equivalent of a King. A Jed controls a city state, while a Jeddak controls several cities. Do to their access to the treasury and a royal stipend, they have no salary. They have a crown with several feathers.

Technical Ranks

As above, they are members of a national military, but they are not expected to fight in the front lines unless something on the front line needs fixing.

Zeethan (technical-warrior) are specialist troops. They are technicians, artillery gunners, sappers, etc. They have a small upright feather on the right-side of their main feather. Their pay is x1.5 standard.

Zeewar (technical-officer) are like Warrant Offices, but with authority over Zeethan and Panzeethan personal, and are highly skilled engineers. They have two and a half feathers noting their rank. Their pay is x2.5 standard. There are two tiers to this rank:
 • Apprentices — They serve as aids and apprentices to a Jedzee, as they learn about leadership and more technical fields.
 • Commander — They are department heads or commanders of technical teams on the field.

Jedzee (chief-technician) are the Chief Engineers on a ship, or field commanders of an Engineer Corp. They have three and a half feathers noting their rank. Their pay is x5 standard.

Mercenary Ranks

Here are the ranks of the free agents. They serve no master, but fight for the right for money and a free pass within a city state.

Panthan (free-warrior) are basically mercenaries. They are seen as the least loyal and most expendable. Unlike Gorthan, they have nothing to prove and only fight for money. They must supply their own equipment and transport, and buy their own food and supplies. They have one downward feather noting their rank. They get standard pay.

Panzeethan (free-technical-warrior) are specialist mercenary troops. They are hired technicians, artillery gunners, sappers, etc. They have a small downward feather on the right-side of their main feather. Their pay is x1.5 standard.

Other Ranks

Although they are not seen as rank and file troops or officers, I include these ranks, as they usually seen working alongside the military. 

Gorthan (bonded-warrior) are captured and enslaved, petty criminals, or disgraced soldiers who are proving their loyalty and honor by serving as highly expendable troops, akin to Panthan troops, but without pay — basically penal/slave troops. This is considered a rank of distress and shame. They have no feather, and are striped of there battle-harness — effectively naked — save for a singe belt, a sword and wrist & ankle-bands of a slave. They are still provided for with food (mostly Usa) and board, as with any slave.

Healers (for a lack of a better name) are pacifists under oath, so attacking one is considered highly disgraceful and cowardly. They have a distinct dress, pouches for medical supplies and large colorful plumes. They will treat or lend comfort to anyone injured, regardless of their status or race.

WTF Blogger!?

I got this notice saying that Blogger is cracking down on nudity.

In this case, they making sites privet if they post any nudity. I hate when sites do this. Yes, they want to cut down on the adult content, and I understand that they don't want people to post hardcore, XXX-Rated stuff on it, but this gets iffy as nudity and artistic outlooks are highly subjective.

There is a stigma with nudity in the western world that is perverted into itself, and for reasons that eludes me, is affiliated with sex. Also the obsession with breasts — more specifically nipples — being "obscene" is a weird joke! I do not see topless women as an obscenity, and I see people who do as perverts.

As it is, the Mature Content warning is a huge hassle — for the reader and the editor. When I go to Playing D&D With Porn Stars, I get the disclaimer, but the jump does a number to my browser. When I used the disclaimer for a short time, it was messing up my posts while changing and checking the doodads. I end up stopping it out of frustration! Since my only real "objectionable" post was on chainmail bikinis and armored loincloths, it feels like no big thing. But still, T&A are ALWAYS on the table with this blog.

In my experience, sites that tighten their belts on content only make things worse, and ultimately the administrators turn thuggish if they feel the clients are not complying enough. This is more then just nudity or adult content. This goes with religion, politics, language, criticizing the admins. Amplify this, by the fact that Blogger is own by Goggle — the company with the "Midas Touch" of shitty business decisions! "Don't be evil" my ass!

As far as content go, I will stay the course.

5e Thoul

I was screwing around with the 5e system, to get a better understanding of the mechanics. For most people, its about CharGen and character-building, but I also like to toy around with custom monsters. So I decided to make a Thoul (from Moldvay's Basic rulebook) based on the Ghoul, Hobgoblin, and Troll stats form the free Dungeon Master’s Basic Rules (version 0.2) file. Here is what I done:

Thoul
Medium humanoid (goblinoid), lawful evil
===================================
Armor Class 16 (natural + chain mail)
Hit Points 33 (5d8+10)
Speed 30 ft.
===================================
-STR --- DEX --- CON --- INT --- WIS --- CHA
14 (+2) - 13 (+1) - 12 (+1) - 8 (-1) - 10 (+0) - 8 (−1)
===================================
Skills Perception +1
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Common, Goblin
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
===================================
Keen Smell. The thoul has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.

Regeneration. The thoul regains 3 hit points at the start of its turn. If the thoul takes acid or fire damage, this trait doesn’t function at the start of the troll’s next turn. The thoul dies only if it starts its turn with 0 hit points and doesn’t regenerate.

Actions______________________________
Thouls can ether be armed or unarmed.

Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) slashing damage, or 7 (1d10 + 2) slashing damage if used with two hands.

Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) slashing damage. If the target is a creature other than an elf or undead, it must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed for  1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

A Thoul is a magical combination of a ghoul, a hobgoblin, and a troll. It is rumored that they are the result of a twisted experiment by an unknown wizard trying to create an army of inhuman super-soldiers. To all but goblinoids, thouls look exactly like hobgoblins. Anyone who are familiar with goblinoids could tell them apart. They usually from into bands of mercenaries, but sometimes they serve as bodyguards of a powerful hobgoblin ruler.

Datafortress 2020 is Back!

For those who don't know, Datafortress 2020 is the best damn Cyberpunk 2020 site on the net! The guy who runs it, Wisdom000, had over the years put a lot of effort and love into the site, with some help for the CP2020 community. It is full of great articles and supplements. It covers a wide range of topics, and includes a wide assortment of new goods, environments and inspirations to be used in CP2020, or even your own cyberpunk game, including Shadowrun.

Beyond just the cyberpunk genre, the Nomad culture from CP2020 had always maintain a Mad Max vibe about it. For those post-apocalypses fans who like there post-apocalypses fiction to be hard-edged and styled like an '80s Road Warrior-clone — bikers, big hear, assless-chaps and all — I highly recommend checking out Dust in the Wind, The Nomad Market and Shop the Nomad Market. There are so much you take form them!

If you have the time and printer ink, you can download the sourcebooks. If some of the pages go to dead links, don't fret. It is a large site being moved into a new domain, and Wisdom000 is still getting the kinks out. Also be forewarned that some pages might still be graphic-heavy (this was changed by using smaller images), and there are no shortage of risqué art (just harmless T&A pics).

I hope you guys enjoy the site? Enjoy!

Deviant Database 2.0 Teaser Art

Sniderman released another book of mutants in the second installment of the Deviant Database for the Mutant Future role-playing game. He needed some art, and I submitted four. This time around, a dozen artists came to his call. The Deviant Database 2.0 list over forty mutants, with most of them illustrated, a few even have two pics to them.

Here is a teaser of what I did, and soon I would add the pics to my DeviantArt gallery.

The mutants I drew (from top left to bottom right) are the Whorebeast, Mako, Bog Ghoul,  and Clotted One (AKA “Scab”).

I have been reading them on and off. So far, they are great! They would really keep the players on their toes.

Its Hotter than a Witch's Tit...

...while dressed as a topless Amazon! ;p

Enjoy this nice OD&D mockup. I hope this makes summer a little more bearable for you guys?