This was very clever -- it artfully showcased another author's work, while expanding it in a creative and useful way. I hadn't read Scras' Gems of the Underworld yet, and I may never have found it without this piece, so thank you! The only minor suggestion I will make is to preserve the order of gemstones that Scras laid out in his piece, for easy reference. Here you have Xerle and Faridat come after Pirozeh, which was kind of confusing. I'd also put the inks last (or first). Well done! Go to Comment
Not sure they're given a choice to join, Cheka. It sounds like Black Bess, at least, had a whole other life that she was taken away from. Maybe that's where her anger comes from. This is a really nifty concept, and it's refreshing to see some more "classic fantasy" stuff from you, Scras. I especially liked how you were careful to fit this into the dwarves' established value systems and make it work. Go to Comment
Does the stuff disappear once chewed up, or only once swallowed? I like SE's idea of being able to chew something up to "mold" it into a new form, then spit it back out.
*NPC insults party*
*PC casually grabs the bastard's favorite tankard and chews it up. Spit out a solid lump of metal a few seconds later*
*NPC and henchmen flee the scene* Go to Comment
That is freaking cool. I updated all my Weavers Guild subs with the icon and it makes them so much easier to identify in a list. Thanks for revealing the secret of Real Ultimate Power! Go to Comment
Update: Rearranged the information a little to make it group better. Added the bit about Restoration. Added Plot Hooks. Started the Creature Dex -- I really hope others add to it! Go to Comment
Physical Description: Something like a blue, 5-tailed squirrel with suckers on its toes instead of claws.
Grilins are docile, friendly and extremely sociable little critters. The perfect starter pet for many young children. They don't have claws, can barely bite, and like to snuggle. The only catch is their speed and extreme climbing ability -- these things can go straight up a sheer wall (thanks to those tiny suckers) and often escape their owners if they don't have their Pet Cube handy. For this reason, wild populations of Grilins are becoming established in metropolises around the galaxy. They may become as ubiquitous as the old-Earth pigeon, in time. Go to Comment
Physical Description: Warm-blooded feline-esque creatures the size of large dogs, with snake-skin scales instead of fur.
The perfect choice for a person with fur allergies, the scalecat's original name is unpronounceable to most humans (hence, the monicker). Scalecats are loyal, fierce guardians who have a problematic territorial streak. They don't like lots of physical activity, however, and can most commonly be found lounging on its owner's bed or couch, with a watchful eye on the door. Firm training is a must, due to their size. De-clawing is recommended for owners without natural armor. Go to Comment
Pretty much, yeah. Any tiny to medium sized critter, at least. Pet Cubes have to be locked down before they are sold, to prevent exactly that kind of abuse (If you can't tell, I'm shamelessly stealing the idea of a PokeBall, and seeing what it would look like in a more serious setting). Go to Comment
Physical Description: A glowing, fish-like creature about the size of a human fingernail.
A popular choice due to its considerable intelligence and weak psychic abilities, bitti-flecks are kept in a clear, anaerobic, viscous fluid composed of organic and silicate matter. They do best in contained systems and require only occasional fluid-cycling, so bitti-fleck jewelry and other accessories are coming into vogue. Bitti-flecks project a soothing aura that many species find desirable. If kept in a tank with other bitti-flecks, they will put on fantastic pulsing light shows that often mimic symbols, logos or even words that they have recently seen (especially those on passing neon signs). Go to Comment
Physical Description: Palm-length organisms that somewhat resemble a fuzzy cucumber, covered with hundreds of short, sticky tentacles.
Lammaaaars are most often found in spaceports or other locations with low gravity, conditions that are hard on many other pets. Their nickname arises from their tendency to . . . stick. To everything. They readily adhere to skin, walls, luggage, equipment and especially to other stickies. They are fairly easy to remove, but can be an annoyance to owners with fur or long hair. Stickies love vibration, and will emit a pleasant purring sound if jostled gently. Go to Comment
Physical Description: A pale, foot-long worm-like creature.
Often prescribed as therapy for people with terminal depression or other mental issues, the "paradise parasite" provides constant, life-long companionship. Once embedded in the owner's body, it will attach itself to the spinal column and begin reading the host's thoughts and feelings. After a few weeks, it will have learned enough of its host's language that it will begin striking up mental conversations with him/her. Paradicites are curious, gentle, compassionate and genuinely concerned with the welfare of their hosts. Besides providing a lonely owner with someone to talk to, they can help regulate hormone flow throughout the host's body, often bringing a level of emotional stability that the owner has never experienced. Go to Comment
Physical Description: A being composed of pure sound waves, manifesting as a never-ending tone.
NOT recommended for humans (or other species who occasionally desire silence from their pets). A singing tone is one of the most expressive and communicative pets an owner can wish for. It can modify its volume and frequency to slide up and down the scale, depending on its mood. Singing Tone enthusiasts often own two or three, and keep them in their own sound-proofed enclosure to provide the occasional evening's entertainment. Feeding is simple -- just provide them with sound, preferably music (as from speakers or even windchimes) whenever their volume starts to dip below audible range. Go to Comment
Cool little idea. Kinda weird that the targets after the first one don't have to be in a straight line -- it just functions like Chain Lightning, from what I understand. Scary self-guiding arrow is scary. Go to Comment
I'm not really sure where to start with this piece. I love magic systems -- especially those with some grounding in real-world mythology, and this is a new one for me. I'm glad that you included the background section at the top.
I think that the ideas you are trying to get across aren't really coming across on paper. If you could make a small diagram or something to help illustrate the various elements & possible combinations it might help. Like val, I want to hear more of the practicalities involved in making this work. Am I just hitting enchanted "elemental" wands together to cast a spell, or am I grabbing handfuls of dirt and mixing it with water, etc?
I really like this -- the concept is fascinating. Just need a little more clarity before I feel comfortable voting on it. Go to Comment
Probably deserving of the "silly" freetext, but this is awesome! I now have someplace to put all those trivial, silly and strange magical effects that don't fit anywhere else. I especially liked the format (groups of 10 powers at a time), with the clear breakdown of how minor/major each should be. My favorites are 20 and 24. Go to Comment
Items (Other) (Villanous)