Wednesday, October 1, 2025

31 Nights of Halloween: Marvel's Count Dracula for the Cypher System

 Last week, Marvel Comics rereleased Tomb of Dracula Volume 1 Omnibus, and I finally got a chance to sit down and read it. Growing up, my best friend bought back issues of Tomb of Dracula, Werewolf By Night, and I, Vampire, and I loved reading them. I don't know why it never occurred to me to buy them myself but I didn't. Full disclosure, he had better taste in comics than I did. So I'm finally getting a chance to experience the complete story.



Count Dracula 8 (24) for the Cypher System and Stay Alive!


Motive: True immortality without his vampiric weaknesses.


Environment: Anywhere

Health: 30

Damage Inflicted: 8 points

Movement: Long

Modifications:  Climb, Intellect Defense, Perception and Stealth at 9

Combat: Ancient and mighty Dracula is a deadly foe with his power and weapons. He can also change into a bat, mist, or a wolf but his stats remain unchanged. Finally, he is a powerful hypnotist and can control the actions of others. Each round thy can perform and Intellect Defense to break free.
     Fire, Holy Water, Running Water, and Sunlight can damage him but can't destroy him. Garlic can within Immediate distance can hinder his tasks. Crosses, Holy Symbols, and Mirrors within Immediate Distance can cause him to lose his action and hinder him by 2 steps.

Interactions: Dracula is confident, knowledgeable, and suave. He sees himself as the King of Vampires and the only being fit to rule them. He is amorous and will attempt to seduce anyone he finds attractive. Finally, he is a maglomaniac and seeks true immortality and freedom from his vampiric weaknesses so he may rule the world.



Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Tuesday Terrors: Xenomorph for Shadowdark

 



Xenomporph for Shadowdark

"Perfect organism. Its structural perfection is matched only by its hostility."-- Ash, regarding The Alien (from Alien)

AC 15, HP 20, ATK 2 teeth +4 (2d6) or claw +3 (1d8) or tail +3 (1d10), MV near (climb), S +3, D +4, C +2, I +2, W +3, Ch -2,
AL C, LV 4

Acid Blood. 1d6 damage to near creatures when it takes damage.

Fearless. Immune to morale checks.

It's Here! DC 18 WIS check to detect when hiding or sneaking.




Thursday, August 14, 2025

Thor's Day: Trandas for Barrows & Borderlands and Swords & Wizardry

 

TRANDA for Barrows and Borderlands

+1 DEX, +1 INT

Infravision 60'.

2:6 Bushcraft or Hear Noises

2:6 Find or Remove Traps or Move Silently


TRASH PANDA. AC 6 | HD 1 | #E 1-4 | MV 40’ | THAC0 19 |  
#A 1 (by weapon) | SV15 | ML 8 | AL Varies | XP 10 | T (I) Description:
 Trandas are humanoid raccoons that stand 3-4 feet tall and tend to settle close to civilization, often underground and well-hidden. They scavenge detritus for food and supplies, and they typically loathe to enter a conflict if escape is at all possible. Lairs are made up of men, women, and children with 2-12 guards armed with axes (30%), bolas (10%), crossbows (40%), and warhammers (20%). There is a 40% chance that adults who are not guards are armed.

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Tuesday Terrors: Gomdulla the Living Pharaoh for Savages Worlds Supers & NNecessary Evil

 



Seasoned Wild Card (10 extra Powe Points)
Pace: 6; Parry: 7; Toughness: 33 (18);
Fighting d10; Focus d8
Wounds: 4
Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d6, Spirit d8, Strength d12+1, Vigor d8 
Skills: Athletics d6, Common Knowledge d4, Intimidation d8, Language (Native) d8, Notice d6, Occult d4, Persuasion d4, 
Stealth d4 
Size: Large (5, Size mod +2)  
Hindrances: All Thumbs, Megalomania, Monologuer 
Edges: Brawler, Bruiser, Combat Reflexes, First Strike, Hard to Kill, 
Weapons: Unarmed (Range Melee, Damage d12+1+d6) 
Language: Native (native, d8) 
Languages Known: Native (native, d8) 
Telekinesis: Strength of d12 strength, Can fly at Pace 6, May use Focus skill when performing physical actions 
Growth (5): May grow up to size +5, strength and toughness both a +5 while power is active - Greater size is permanent. 
Armor (9): +18 Armor 
Undead: see main entry p89 
Fear: Selective (1), Large Blast Template 
Hardy
Super Edge (1)
Novice Advances: Edge: Brawler; Edge: Hard to Kill; 
Raise Skill: Fighting
Seasoned Advances: Edge: Bruiser 
Setting Rules: Born a Hero, Super Strength

Sunday, August 10, 2025

GameStorming: Savage Worlds X Numenera


What drew me to Monte Cook Games' Numenera/Cypher System was the Adjective Noun Verb description of your character. How cool is it to brainstorm what you are going to play by coming up with a Brave Glaive (warrior) who has a Halo of Fire?

While the Cypher System isn't a difficult system to learn, it has a few problems that have kept me from running it more. The first is that Effort both fuels your attempts at overcoming obstacles, activating powers, and functions as hit points as well. It's just not my bag.

Last night, while looking over Savage Worlds Adventure Edition, an idea hit me like a bullet in the head. Power it with Savage Worlds.

The adjective "Brave" in the above example gives a +2 bonus to tests. Rate your Noun or Verb with a d6 and rate the remaining descriptor with a d8. I choose Glaive for d8 and Halo of Fire at a d6. Everything else defaults to a d4, and characters are Wild Cards, so they roll a d6 with every test, except damage, too.

I'm not defaulting to d4-2 because I want a more heroic game, but that would be an option. Importing wounds and equipment from SWADE allows you to even mine your verb from it too, though I will be more comfortable with a more wing-it approach during play.

We are just starting a 5.5 game, so I'm not sure when I will get to it, but I'll keep you posted.

Monday, August 4, 2025

Monster Monday: Bounty Hunters for Barrows & Borderlands and Swords & Wizardry

        

BOUNTY HUNTER. AC 2 (17) | HD 3 | #E 1 | MV 60’ | THAC0 15 | #A 1 (1d10) | SV 12 | ML 8 | AL Neutral | XP 47 | T (I) Description: Bounty hunters seek prey throughout the Polyverse, some are pure business while others are sadists who have found a way to earn a living while serving their darkest desires. Their guild is both powerful and vigilant, and will not tolerate one of their own being injured or looking foolish.

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

OSR Heroes: The Human Tank for Guardians


The Human Tank (Level 3) for Guardians

Sgt. Ellen Vanderbuilt


Strength 10/30 (+0/+9) Melee 4d6 damage

Dexterity 12 (+0)

Constitution 17 (+2)

Intelligence 18 (+3)

Wisdom 17 (+2)
Charisma 12 (+0)


Energy Points 8
Hit Points 35

Saving Throw 9+

Bonus To Hit +6 melee; +3 ranged

AC 17


Origin: Mutant

Class: Bruiser (Unstoppable; Acrobatic)

Gifts: Hacker

Powers: Armor; Projectile Fire; Super Strength x2; Super Speed

Limits: Bound (Merlin); Power Focus (Talisman)

Issue: Bad Press (from Mutant); Enemy (Warmaster); Phobia (Heights)

Money: $5,000

Languages: Chinese; French; German


31 Nights of Halloween: Marvel's Count Dracula for the Cypher System

 Last week, Marvel Comics rereleased Tomb of Dracula Volume 1 Omnibus, and I finally got a chance to sit down and read it. Growing up, my be...