Conan - OGL - Field Guide to Creatures of the Hyborian Age, Pt 2 (article).pdf - Conan - Matrinicz

2 28

A Field Guide to Creatures of

the Hyborian Age

A detailed study of Man-Apes for

Conan The Roleplaying Game, Part II

A detailed study of Man-Apes for

Josh Kapfer

Conan The Roleplaying Game, Part II

IV. For the Games

Master

points in mind when creating adventures in which

man-apes play a role:

Remember, adult male man-apes are no pushovers.

For example, in all of his encounters with them,

Conan has signi cant dif culty, not only winning,

but surviving, and the same should be true of your

Player Characters.

mountainous cliffs. Use these skills to make

your Player Character’s encounter with these

critters more interesting.

Master

A Finally, very few living beings will, of their

own accord, ght to the death if escape is an

option. If your adventurers get the upper hand

in a combat with man-apes, the man-apes may

try to ee. This can lead to an exciting chase

through the jungles of Kush, or the mountains

near Zamora.

‘The beast peering from the scarlet

hood was utterly bestial, and yet Murilo

realised that Nabonidus spoke truth

when he said that Thak was not wholly

beast. There was something in the red

murky eyes, something in the creatures

clumsy posture, something in the whole

appearance of the thing that set it apart

from the truly animal.’

Rogues in the House, Robert E.

Howard

A Come up with a reason why your Player

Characters would encounter man-apes. As a

Games Master, try to avoid, what I call, the

habit of 'throwing your Player Characters into

the meat grinder'. If your Player Characters

were attacked by man-apes, why? Were the

man-apes hunting them? Were the man-apes

protecting their young? Were they acting

because of the command of some evil sorcerer

who has power over them?

Most importantly, be creative and have fun! That is

what playing roleplaying games is all about!

Man-Apes in Game

Terms

A Before you include man-apes in your

adventure, think about the region where your

Player Characters are currently travelling.

Do man-apes normally exist here? If not,

why would they be present for your Player

Characters to run afoul of them?

‘Instantly Thak, on the other side

of the chamber, wheeled, glared and

charged with a thunderous roar.’

-Rogues in the House, Robert E.

Howard

Incorporating

Man-Apes into Your

Campaign

Man-apes can make great additions to your

adventure or campaign. They can be encountered

singly, in pairs (although this usually only applies to

Yahtis) or in family groups. There is little challenge

in using them in adventures. The biggest challenge

for Game Masters is nding an appropriate way to

use them based on the skill and number of Player

Characters in the adventuring party. Keep these

A Make use of the Special Attacks, Qualities/

Weaknesses and Feats possessed by man-apes

(which will be discussed shortly). Man-apes do

not just come running straight at an opponent

during combat. They ambush prey by jumping

out of trees or by throwing boulders down from

In this chapter, man-apes have been re-vamped using

the layout on page 324 of the Conan Roleplaying

Game Core Rulebook (Atlantean Edition) as a

template. The major differences from that original

write-up will be outlined in this section. Here you

2 29

will also nd mention of all the additional Special

Attacks, Qualities/Weaknesses and Feats available

only to man-apes. These will add depth, options

for creativity, and realism to any man-apes that you

choose to include in your adventure.

described below.

A Special Attack/Qualities/Weaknesses have

changed. These have also been altered so that

Games Masters have the ability to select from

several old and new Special Attacks/Qualities

described below. The Special Attack Improved

Grab is no longer available. Fear not! Several

new Special Attacks and feats have been created

to take the place of Improved Grab, while

giving the Games Master more options for

combat.

Differences from the

man-apes as described in

the Atlantean Edition

There are now several types of man-apes and each

one has unique game statistics (Attributes, Skills,

HD and so on.) that are different from the man-apes

in the Atlantean Edition.

A An addition has been made to the DR of

these beasts. They still have a natural DR

against all weapons (3 in sub-adults and 5 in

adults). They now also receive a separate

DR against attacks with bludgeoning

weapons (6 in sub adults and 10 in adults)

due to the robust nature of their skeletons.

Feats

This section lists, in detail, the types of unique

abilities (in the form of special Feats) possessed

by man-apes. These Feats have been designed

to give man-apes more depth and options for the

Games Master when planning encounters with

the beasts. Several are not available to Player

Characters or normal Non-Player Characters. Feats

that have already been described in other Conan

RPG sourcebooks will only be mentioned here.

For complete descriptions of them, see the source

material where they were originally printed.

A Attack statistics have

been changed. Now, man-apes

accomplish a single attack

through the use of the claws

rather than a slam (as a new

Special Attack option deals with

slam attacks), and a full attack

consists of two claw

attacks and a bite

attack.

Rules for Selecting Your Man-Apes Feats: As the

OGL rules for monster creation states, monsters are

allowed 1 (+1 per 3 HD) feats. Therefore, a creature

with 2 HD is only allowed 1 feat, a creature with

3 HD is allowed two feats, a creature with 6 HD is

allowed three feats and so on. When selecting your

man-ape’s feats, keep this in mind. The average

man-ape, as described below, has 6 HD. It is

therefore allowed three feats. Note: Although it is

up to the Games Master, it is bene cial for all man-

apes to take the feat Grapple (Man-ape Combat),

as this gives them more options for attacking.

Furthermore, as knowing how to properly grapple

is necessary for delivering lethal damage while

doing so, this feat is a prerequisite for several of the

Special Attacks listed in the next section.

A Feats have

changed. In this

new version of

man-apes, Games

Masters have

the option to

personalise

their man-apes

(depending on the

creature’s role in

the adventure)

by selecting from

both old and new

feats available

to man-apes

3 30

Old Feats Still Available as

Options for Man-Apes

one and began at step two when initiating a grapple.

Man-apes can initiate a grapple with a successful

grapple attack (opposed against an opponent’s

grapple defence). A successful grapple attack also

automatically deals 1D4 damage plus strength

modi er and gives man-apes the opportunity to use

one of the following Special Attacks listed below:

Crush; Rend Limb From Limb; Shatter Bones, Shake

the Blood as a Full Attack during the subsequent

round after the successful grapple attack. Man-apes

also do not receive a –4 penalty on their grapple

checks when attempting to deal lethal damage. They

also do not suffer a –4 penalty on natural weapon

(claw) attacks when grappling. In addition, man-

apes can Dodge while grappling. See page 173-175

of Atlantean Edition for normal grappling rules. In

addition, this feat is necessary if the Games Master

wishes to choose from the following Special Attacks

for his/her man-ape: Crush; Rend Limb From Limb;

Shatter Bones, Shake the Blood.

Bene ts: When attacking an opponent head-on,

a man-ape can leap a distance of up to 25 ft from

a standing position as a free action. Man-apes

can also leap straight up or down (up to, or down

from a tree branch) up to 30 feet even if starting

with both feet planted squarely on the ground as

a free action. Furthermore, these creatures can

automatically jump this distance (whether the jump

is parallel, up, or down), and do not need to roll as

is described in the Jump Rules on Page 92 of the

Conan Core Rule Book (Atlantean Ed). Note: to

attempt a ‘standing broad jump’ type of leap forward

at an opponent that is on the same level as the man-

ape, an open space between the man-ape and its

quarry is necessary.

Options for Man-Apes

Alertness

Mulitattack (teeth and claws)

Power Attack

NewMan-ApeSpecificFeats

Eyes of Night

Because they shy away from light (both natural and

magical), man-apes have learned to adapt to utter

darkness and can maneuver quite ef ciently in pitch-

black conditions, such as the dead of night. This is

in addition to the Low-light Vision Special Quality

listed on pg. 299 of the Conan Roleplaying Game

Core Rulebook (Atlantean Edition).

Prerequisites: This Feat is available to all man-

apes that are not infants. This Feat is not available

to Player Characters or normal human Non-Player

Characters. Although Yahtis are not afraid of light,

they still have access to this Feat.

Bene ts: Man-apes receive a +2 to all skill checks

performed in absolute darkness. They also receive

no penalty for skill checks performed in very low-

light conditions (such as torch light).

Special Attacks,

Abilities and Qualities

‘Swiftly the terrible strength of the

anthropoid overcame the leverage

of braced arm and knee. Inexorably

Conan’s arm bent under the strain;

nearer and nearer he was drawn to the

slavering jaws that gaped for his life.’

Iron Shadows in the Moon,

Robert E. Howard

‘The mighty arms spread wide as the

beast plunged, stupefying quick for all

his vast bulk and stunted legs.’

Iron Shadows in the Moon,

Robert E.Howard

GrappleMan-ApeCombat

This feat represents the man-apes superior grappling

ability.

Prerequisites: This Feat is available to all man-

apes that are not infants. This Feat is not available

to Player Characters or normal human Non-Player

Characters.

Bene ts: With this feat, a man-ape’s base grapple

attack bonus always equals 1D20 + base attack

bonus + Strength modi er + special size modi er

(+0 for subadults, +4 for adults) + 5 (special feat

bonus). Grapple defence equals 1D20 + base attack

bonus + strength modi er + special size modi er + 5

(special feat bonus). All steps for successful grapple

attacks (listed on pg 174, Atlantean Ed.) remain the

same, except that man-apes with this feat ignore step

Uncanny Leap

Keeping a man-ape from getting into grappling

range is the best way for Player Characters to survive

encounters with them. This is incredibly dif cult,

however, due to their amazing ability to leap long

distances at speed. An adventurer may be faced

with a man-ape that is 20 feet away one second, and

the next may be ghting for his/her life as the beast

leaps into an arm’s length and is attempting to rip

limbs from their sockets.

Prerequisites: This Feat is available to all man-

apes that are not infants. This Feat is not available

to Player Characters or normal human Non-Player

Characters.

All monsters have certain Special Attacks/Qualities,

and perhaps even Special Weaknesses. Man-apes

are no exception. Therefore, in this section you will

nd both old and new Special Attacks available to

Man-apes. No detail is given on the old Special

Attacks, as they can be found in the Conan RPG

Core Rulebook (Atlantean Ed).

Rules for selecting your man-ape’s Special Attacks:

The rules in this regard are simple. Sub-adult man-

apes (be they black or grey) can have one Special

Attack. The average man-ape (be they black or grey)

3 31

Spending of a Fate point can reverse the effects of

a disembowelling strike whether wearing armour or

not.

Crush Ex

The description of this Special Attack

remains unchanged from that located

on Pg. 324 of the Conan

Roleplaying Game Core

Rulebook (Atlantean Ed).

Prerequisites: Grapple

(Man-ape Combat) feat.

Bene ts: Same as listed in

Conan RPG Atlantean Ed.

From Which Way Does He

Come? Ex

Man-apes are masters of stealth and ambush. They

use this tactic while hunting and are deadly ef cient.

Bene ts: Man-apes gain a +4 on all Hide and Move

Silently skill checks when ambushing prey. If

successful, the target being ambushed is Surprised

(pg 152, Conan RPG, Atlantean Ed.). Man-apes also

gain a +2 to their initiative rolls when engaging in

combat in familiar territory.

Note: a successful Spot check (opposed vs. the

man-apes Hide or Move Silently skill checks) means

that the attacked individual is not Surprised.

Disemboweling

Strike Ex

The claws are one of the man-apes

most important weapons. When

hunting, man-apes use them to

quickly incapacitate prey. They

are also very effective melee

weapons. When attacking

an armed individual,

most man-apes will use a

combination of their claws

and dexterity to get close

enough to the individual

for grappling (where they are very

formidable, indeed). When using

their claws, man-apes will often aim for the throat

or stomach of their opponent, and have the ability to

cause serious damage in one swipe.

Bene ts: If a man-ape succeeds in delivering a

critical strike with its claws, rather than following

the normal damage multiplier, roll 1 D20. On a

roll of 20, the man-ape disembowels the opponent.

If not wearing metal armour, his/her hit points are

automatically reduced to zero and they are Disabled

(pg. 163, Conan RPG Atlantean Ed.) Furthermore,

he/she looses an additional one point/round until

healed or dead. NOTE: if the opponent makes a

successful Fortitude saving throw (DC 17) their hit

points are halved rather than reduced to zero. The

additional damage per round still applies, however.

Low-light Vision

The description of this Special Ability is unchanged

from that on pg. 299 of the Conan Roleplaying

Game Core Rulebook (Atlantean Ed).

Rend Limb From Limb Ex

Man-apes possess amazing strength. When engaged

in close-quarters grappling, man-apes can utilise

this strength to literally rip opponent’s arms and legs

from their joints, and even twist off their heads. The

results of such attacks can leave a would-be attacker

maimed or dead.

Prerequisites: Grapple (Man-ape Combat) feat

Bene ts: If a man-ape attempts to grapple with an

opponent, and successfully rolls a grapple attack

that exceeds the opponents grapple defense by 5, as

a full attack the round after the successful grapple

attack, he can choose to grab one of the victim’s

limbs and gain the leverage necessary to maim him/

her. Next, 1 D20 is rolled and the following chart

is used to determine the result of the attack. Note:

the individual being attacked can attempt a Re ex

saving throw (DC 20). If successful, the result of

the roll to determine the outcome of the man-ape’s

is allowed to have two Special Attacks. Dominant

male man-apes or females protecting an infant (be

they black or grey) are allowed to have three Special

Attacks. Note: The Special Attack Improved Grab

listed on Pg 324 of the Conan Roleplaying Game

Core Rulebook (Atlantean Ed.) is no longer available

to these beasts. Fear not, however, for this has been

replaced by the feat Grapple (Man-ape Combat),

described in the feats section. This new feat allows

you greater exibility and speci city in the type of

attack you want your man-ape to most commonly

use. Furthermore, that feat is a prerequisite for

several Special Attacks listed below.

3 32

Special Weakness

‘’His kind are creatures of darkness and the

silent places, haters of the sun and moon.’’

-Conan, Iron Shadows in the Moon,

Robert E. Howard

Shun the Light: Because they are more at home in

complete darkness, man-apes do not adjust well to

light (both natural and arti cial). They fear even

re, and may ee from it. Thus, most man-apes

presented with re must make a successful Will

saving throw following the rules listed for The

Terror of the Unknown on pg. 313 of the Conan

Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook (Atlantean Ed.),

with the following exception: the DC for this roll

is determined on the table listed below. When

determining the effects and results of this roll,

alpha male man-apes are considered 3 rd level, while

all other man-apes are considered 1 st or 2 nd level.

These effects, however, are not felt in deep jungles,

whether it is day or night, but will take hold if the

man-ape happens to wander (or be coaxed) into an

area where direct sunlight penetrates the canopy of

trees (treat as Dappled Daylight on the table below).

grapple attack (on the table below) is reduced by 2.

In addition, spending a Fate point can reverse the

effects of a 19 or 20 roll on this table.

where the combat is taking place. The man-ape can

also use this Special Attack to throw an opponent

(10-15 ft, regardless of weight) in any direction,

rather than slamming him/her into an object or the

ground.

Prerequisites: Grapple (Man-ape Combat) feat

Bene ts: All such slamming or throwing attacks

automatically deal four points of damage. The

amount of additional damage dealt by the attack,

depends on the type of object that the victim is being

slammed into or thrown onto. Note: a successful

Re ex saving throw by the attacked individual (DC

of 17), means that the individual has wriggled free

and the attack is negated.

Roll

Result

1-10

Nothing

Opponent receives an additional two

points of damage

11-16

Opponent receives an additional ve

points of damage

17-18

Opponent’s weapon arm is popped out

of joint. He/she cannot wield their

weapon (even if it requires two hands)

unless healed with the Heal Bone,

Joint and Ligament Damage use of

the Heal skill (see below). The pain

is unbearable and he/she is at –5 to

all skill, saving throws, and attribute

checks until healed. Furthermore,

he/she receives 5 points of damage and

an additional point per round until the

damage is healed.

Object Slammed

Into

Additional Damage

Into

Water (pond, lake,

pool)

None

Soft Ground

(loamy, sandy,

swampy)

1 point

Hard Ground (rock,

compact dirt)

3 points

Note: Yahtis are more frequently witnessed in lighter

conditions and are not affected by this Special

Weakness.

The opponent’s head is twisted 180

degrees in the wrong direction by

the man-ape. Dies instantly with a

horrifying look on his/her face.

2 points (note: the slam

attack obliterates the

object, creating pieces too

small to cause shrapnel

damage)

Furniture (table,

chair)

DC for Man-ape

Will Saving Throw

DC for Man-ape

Scent Ex

The description of this Special Ability is unchanged

from that on pg. 299 of the Conan Roleplaying

Game Core Rulebook (Atlantean Ed).

Type of Light

Will Saving Throw

Broad Daylight

Large Metal Object

(metal door)

3 points

Dappled Daylight

Large Tree Trunk

2 points

Magical Fire (Flame

Powder, Acheronian

Demon-Fire, Kothic

Demon-Fire)

Shatter Bones, Shake the Blood (Ex)

If a successful Grapple (Man-ape Combat) attack

occurs, man-apes have the option, as a full attack

the round after the successful grapple attack, of

slamming their opponent against an object or the

ground (if applicable). This object can be a rock, a

tree, a piece of furniture, and so on depending on

Large Stone Object

(cliff face)

2 points

Bon re

Torchlight

Conan - OGL - Field Guide to Creatures of the Hyborian Age, Pt 2 (article).pdf

Plik z chomika:

Inne pliki z tego folderu:

Inne foldery tego chomika: