RPG-a-Day #20: Promise

"I take great pride in having the Oath Stone as part of my collection of artifacts--especially since it infuriates the gold dragons they don't have it. But I know it's not really mine, so I've kept it in my Australian home, within short distance of the Conclave of Dragon's primary meeting hall. But, hey, be sure to tell me if you need a promise kept!"

--Brigid the Red, a dragon living secretly among humans

 

THE OATH STONE

Artifact (Minor)

DESCRIPTION
The Oath Stone is an ancient relic forged in the Age of Law by celestial smiths who sought to bind mortals to their word. This fist-sized sphere of polished obsidian bears golden runes that glow when oaths are spoken nearby. Legend claims it was created to enforce the first treaties between gods and dragons, ensuring neither party could betray sacred compacts. The stone radiates an aura of absolute authority, and those who handle it feel the weight of every promise they've ever made.

POWERS
The Oath Stone has both constant and activated effects, as well as a few special considerations.

Constant Abilities:
   Oath Detection Aura: The Oath Stone continuously detects all spoken oaths, vows, and promises made within 60 feet. Any creature that makes a deliberate promise while within this radius becomes bound to the stone. The stone glows brightly when an oath is spoken and records the exact wording of the promise. This is a supernatural ability that cannot be dispelled.
   Truth Sense: The wielder gains a +20 insight bonus on Sense Motive checks to determine if someone is lying about a promise or oath. This bonus applies only to matters directly related to sworn oaths.

Activated Abilities:
   Oath Binding (Su): As a standard action, the wielder can force a creature within 30 feet to make a Will save (DC 25) or be compelled to speak truthfully about any promises they have made. The creature must answer three questions about their oaths. This ability can be used three times per day.
   Mark of the Oath-Keeper (Su): Once per day, the wielder can touch a willing creature and grant them immunity to the Oath Stone's punishment for 24 hours. This allows the creature to renegotiate or be released from an oath without suffering retribution.

Special Qualities:
   Indestructible: The Oath Stone cannot be damaged by any means short of a wish or miracle spell cast specifically to destroy it.
   Oath Registry: The stone maintains a supernatural record of all oaths sworn in its presence. The wielder can spend 1 minute concentrating to review any oath recorded by the stone.

Restriction

The Oath Stone cannot be used to bind a creature to an oath that would require them to commit an evil act (as defined by the DM). Any attempt to do so causes the stone to go dormant for 24 hours and inflicts 4d6 points of damage on the wielder.

 
OATH BREACH MECHANICS
   Valid Oaths: An oath becomes binding when a creature deliberately makes a promise, vow, or sworn statement within the stone's 60-foot detection radius. The promise must be specific and include clear terms. Casual statements ("I'll try my best") do not trigger binding. Formal oaths ("I swear upon my honor to deliver the message by dawn") always trigger binding.
   Detection Range: The Oath Stone can detect oath breaches anywhere on the same plane of existence once an oath has been recorded. Distance is irrelevant after the initial binding.
   Breach Determination: The stone determines breach through supernatural judgment of intent and action. It evaluates:

 
  * Whether the oath-breaker had the ability to fulfill the promise
  * Whether they made genuine effort to honor their word
  * Whether they deliberately chose to break the oath

   Loopholes based on exact wording provide no protection—the stone judges the spirit of the promise, not merely the letter. A creature that is physically prevented from fulfilling an oath (imprisoned, killed, etc.) is not considered an oath-breaker unless they engineered their own inability.

Initial Punishment

When an oath is broken, the violator immediately suffers the following effects:
   Searing Pain: The oath-breaker takes 3d6 points of damage (no save). This damage cannot be reduced by resistance or immunity.
   Mark of Shame: A glowing golden brand appears on the oath-breaker's forehead, visible to all creatures. This mark grants all creatures a +4 bonus on Sense Motive checks against the oath-breaker and imposes a -4 penalty on the oath-breaker's Diplomacy and Bluff checks. The mark is a curse effect (caster level 20th).
   Guilt Compulsion: The oath-breaker must succeed on a Will save (DC 25) or be compelled to confess their broken oath to the next intelligent creature they encounter. Failure to confess within 24 hours results in the oath-breaker becoming shaken (this condition does not stack with itself but persists until confession occurs). If 72 hours pass without confession to an intelligent creature, the compulsion becomes irresistible—the oath-breaker is magically compelled to actively seek out an intelligent creature to confess to, and cannot rest, hide, or avoid intelligent beings until they do so.

Escalating Penalties

For each day the oath remains unfulfilled after being broken, the punishment intensifies. The stone grants a brief mercy period in the first week, allowing the oath-breaker a window to make amends before divine retribution reaches its full severity:

  * Day 2-7: The oath-breaker takes 3d6 points of damage each dawn (no save) and suffers a -2 penalty on all attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks.
  * Day 8-30: Damage increases to 6d6 per dawn. The penalty increases to -4. The oath-breaker cannot benefit from natural or magical healing until they make genuine effort to fulfill or atone for the broken oath.
  * Day 31+: Damage increases to 10d6 per dawn. The penalty increases to -6. The oath-breaker gains one negative level each week (Fortitude DC 25 to remove after 24 hours, as per standard negative level rules). These negative levels stack.

Ending the Punishment

The curse ends when:

  * The oath-breaker fulfills the original promise (or as much as is still possible)
  * The oath-breaker performs a quest of atonement determined by the Oath Stone's wielder (minimum one month of service)
  * The creature to whom the promise was made formally releases the oath-breaker
  * An atonement spell is cast by a cleric of 15th level or higher, followed by a successful DC 30 caster level check
  * The oath-breaker dies (punishment does not follow into afterlife or affect resurrected versions unless the same soul deliberately breaks a new oath)

Multiple Breaches

A creature that breaks multiple oaths suffers the effects of each breach simultaneously. Damage stacks, and the worst penalty to rolls applies (penalties do not stack with each other).

CURSE/DRAWBACK
Claiming ownership of the Oath Stone carries its own hazards.
   Wielder's Burden: Any creature that claims the Oath Stone as their own or carries it for more than 24 hours becomes subject to its judgment. The wielder cannot break any formal oath as defined in the Valid Oaths section—deliberate, specific promises with clear terms and explicit conditions—without suffering the full punishment as described above. Casual remarks, off-hand comments, and vague statements do not bind the wielder, regardless of context. However, the wielder is held to a stricter standard of clarity than other oath-breakers: ambiguous or poorly-defined oaths are interpreted against the wielder's favor, and the stone requires only a preponderance of evidence (rather than absolute certainty) that an oath was broken.
   Compulsive Honesty: The wielder suffers a -10 penalty on all Bluff checks and cannot voluntarily make false promises or oaths. Any attempt to do so causes 2d6 points of damage and fails automatically.
   Weight of Justice: The wielder becomes obsessed with enforcing oaths and punishing oath-breakers. Each week, the wielder must succeed on a Will save (DC 20) or become preoccupied with hunting down known oath-breakers, spending at least 4 hours per day on this pursuit. This is a mind-affecting compulsion effect.
   Separation Anxiety: If the wielder is separated from the Oath Stone by more than 100 feet for more than 1 hour, they suffer a -2 penalty on all rolls until reunited with it. This penalty increases by -1 for each additional day of separation (maximum -10).

RPG-a-Day #19: Desire

"Another of my favorite possessions is the Lover's Compass. Over the centuries, I have let a few humans have it so they could find their way to their true love. Most of those quests have ended happily. Most."

--Brigid the Red, a dragon living secretly among humans

Lover's Compass 

(requires attunement)

This exquisitely crafted compass appears to be made of brass and crystal, with delicate filigree work depicting intertwined vines or hearts around its rim. Unlike ordinary compasses, its needle is fashioned from a sliver of meteoric iron that gleams with an inner warmth. The compass has become a traditional gift among adventurers who must part ways with their beloved, serving as both a practical navigation tool and a promise of eventual reunion.

Attunement
To attune to the Lover's Compass, you must spend the dawning of a new day holding the compass while focusing your thoughts on a specific creature with whom you share a romantic bond. This creature becomes your "designated beloved" for the purposes of the compass's magic. The designated beloved need not be present during attunement, nor do they need to consent to or even be aware of the designation—the compass responds to your feelings, not theirs.
   Only one creature can be attuned to a given Lover's Compass at a time, and you can only be attuned to one Lover's Compass at a time. If you attune to a different compass or designate a different beloved, the previous attunement ends. Changing your designated beloved requires breaking attunement and re-attuning during a new short rest, a process that many find emotionally significant as it represents a shift in their heart's devotion.

 
Mechanics
While attuned to the Lover's Compass, its needle functions differently depending on your designated beloved's location and status:

Same Plane, Within 100 Miles

The needle points unerringly toward your designated beloved's current location, updating in real-time as they move. The compass provides directional guidance only—it does not indicate distance, terrain obstacles, or the safest route. If your beloved is directly above or below you (such as on a different level of a dungeon or tower), the needle spins slowly in a circle, and you instinctively sense whether they are above or below your current position.

Same Plane, Beyond 100 Miles

The needle points in the general direction of your beloved but trembles noticeably, indicating the extreme distance. At this range, the compass's accuracy decreases—it points toward your beloved's location as it was within the last 24 hours, not their current real-time position. The trembling intensifies the farther away your beloved is, providing a rough sense of whether they are merely distant or truly far away.

Different Planes

If your designated beloved is on a different plane of existence, the needle spins slowly and continuously, never settling on a direction. However, the compass grows warm to the touch, confirming that your beloved still lives. If your beloved dies while on another plane, the compass becomes cold and the needle stops moving entirely, pointing downward toward the ground.

Beloved's Death

If your designated beloved dies while on the same plane, the needle immediately points toward the location of their body (or the location where they died, if the body has been moved to another plane or destroyed). The compass grows cold to the touch, and the crystal face clouds over with frost. This state persists until you break attunement or your beloved is restored to life, at which point the compass immediately warms and resumes normal function.

Mechanical Benefits

Navigation Aid

 While traveling overland toward your designated beloved (within 100 miles and on the same plane), you have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks made to avoid becoming lost. The compass's guidance helps you maintain your general heading even through difficult terrain or poor visibility, though it does not reveal the safest or fastest route.

Sense Distance

As an action, you can focus on the compass to gain a rough sense of the distance to your designated beloved, provided they are on the same plane. The DM provides this information in broad categories: "within a mile," "several miles away," "many miles away," or "extremely distant" (beyond 100 miles). This feature can be used a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and all expended uses are restored when you finish a long rest.

Reunion's Clarity

When you are within 1 mile of your designated beloved and on the same plane, the compass's needle glows with soft golden light, and you gain a +2 bonus to Wisdom (Perception) checks made to locate them specifically. This bonus applies whether you're searching a crowded marketplace, a dark forest, or a sprawling dungeon—the compass helps you cut through distractions to find the one you seek.

Beacon of Hope 

As long as the compass indicates your beloved lives (through warmth and movement), you have advantage on saving throws against effects that would cause you to gain the frightened condition when the source of fear relates to your beloved's safety or your ability to reach them. Your determination to reunite with them steadies your resolve against despair.

 

 
Limitations
The Lover's Compass, while powerful, carries several limitations that reflect both magical constraints and the complex nature of love itself:

Unwilling Hearts

The compass responds to your feelings, not your beloved's. If your designated beloved does not reciprocate your romantic feelings, the compass still functions normally—it cannot distinguish between requited and unrequited love. This can lead to uncomfortable situations where the compass faithfully guides you toward someone who may not wish to be found, placing the ethical burden on the wielder to respect boundaries despite the compass's guidance.

Obscured by Magic

Certain powerful magical effects can interfere with the compass's function. If your designated beloved is within an area affected by mind blank, nondetection, or similar abjuration magic of 4th level or higher, the compass needle spins erratically and provides no useful information until the effect ends or your beloved leaves the protected area. Demiplanes and extradimensional spaces (such as a rope trick or magnificent mansion) count as different planes for the compass's purposes.

Emotional Interference

The compass is attuned to romantic love specifically. If your feelings toward your designated beloved shift significantly—such as falling out of love, developing romantic feelings for someone else, or experiencing a major betrayal—the DM may rule that the compass's accuracy decreases or that you must re-attune to maintain its function. This represents the compass's connection to your heart's true direction.

No Shortcuts

The compass points toward your beloved but does not reveal the path to reach them. It cannot detect obstacles, enemies, or dangerous terrain between you and your destination. A compass might point straight through a mountain range, across a monster-infested swamp, or into a hostile army's encampment—following its guidance without planning can lead to disaster.

Finite Guidance

The Sense Distance feature has limited daily uses, representing the mental and emotional energy required to focus your longing into precise awareness. Overusing the compass to constantly check on your beloved's distance can become obsessive, and some wielders find that the constant awareness of separation causes more pain than comfort.

 
Roleplay Hooks

The Lover's Compass might serve as the centerpiece of entire adventures.  

The Long Road Home

The Lover's Compass is perfect for creating reunion narratives. A character separated from their beloved by war, kidnapping, or circumstance can use the compass as both a mechanical tool and a symbol of hope. The DM can create tension by having the needle suddenly change direction (indicating the beloved has moved or been moved), spin wildly (suggesting planar travel or powerful magic), or grow cold (the ultimate fear). The journey to reunite becomes a quest in itself, with the compass providing direction but not safety.

Unrequited Devotion

The compass's inability to distinguish between mutual and one-sided love creates rich roleplay opportunities. A character might carry a compass pointing toward someone who doesn't return their feelings, forcing them to confront questions about respect, boundaries, and the difference between love and obsession. Alternatively, a character might discover that someone else carries a compass attuned to them, revealing feelings they never suspected. These scenarios work best when handled with emotional maturity and respect for all characters involved.

The Cold Compass

Few moments are more dramatic than when a Lover's Compass suddenly grows cold, signaling a beloved's death. This can serve as the inciting incident for a revenge quest, a desperate resurrection mission, or a profound moment of grief and character development. The compass pointing toward the body's location might lead characters into dangerous territory—a villain's stronghold, a cursed battlefield, or the depths of the Underdark. Even if resurrection is possible, the journey to recover the body while processing grief creates powerful storytelling opportunities.

RPG-a-Day #18: Directness

 Today, we take a look at a pair of magic rings that bring unfailing directness and honesty to relationships.

 
Rings of Unspoken Words

(matched pair that requires attunement by two creatures in a romantic bond)

These matching rings are crafted from intertwined bands of silver and rose gold, each set with a small gemstone that pulses with soft light when the wearer's beloved thinks of them. The rings bear no visible inscription, yet those attuned to them report feeling as though unspoken vows are etched into the metal itself. Traditionally given as tokens of commitment between adventuring lovers who must face separation, the Rings of Unspoken Words have saved countless relationships—and lives—across the planes.

 
Attunement
The Rings of Unspoken Words come as a matched pair and require attunement by exactly two creatures who share a genuine romantic bond. Both creatures must attune to their respective rings simultaneously during the same short or long rest, holding hands and speaking aloud (or otherwise communicating) their commitment to one another. If either creature's attunement to their ring ends for any reason, both rings immediately lose all magical properties until both wearers re-attune together. A creature can only be attuned to one Ring of Unspoken Words at a time; attempting to attune to a second ring automatically breaks attunement with the first.
   The rings recognize romantic bonds through the sincere intent of the attuning creatures. Attempts to attune through deception, coercion, or false pretenses automatically fail, and the rings remain dormant. The bond need not be formalized through marriage or similar institutions—what matters is the genuine emotional connection between the two individuals.

 
Mechanics
While attuned and wearing your ring, you gain the following benefits in relation to the creature attuned to the matching ring:

Telepathic Communication 

You can communicate telepathically with your bonded partner as long as you are both on the same plane of existence and within 1 mile of each other. This communication requires no action and can be maintained even while unconscious (though not while dead). You can send complex thoughts, images, and sensations, not merely simple words. However, you cannot access your partner's thoughts without their consent—they must consciously choose to share with you. Attempting to "listen in" on unwilling thoughts yields only silence.

Emotional Resonance

You are always aware of your partner's general emotional state (calm, distressed, joyful, fearful, etc.) and whether they are alive or dead, regardless of distance, as long as you remain on the same plane. This awareness is passive and requires no action or concentration. If your partner is subjected to effects that would mask their emotional state (such as mind blank or similar magic), you sense only a gentle numbness where their presence usually resides.

Heartbeat Echo

As a bonus action, you can cause your ring to pulse in rhythm with your heartbeat, allowing your partner to feel the sensation through their own ring. This serves as a simple signaling method that works even when telepathic communication is blocked or unavailable. You can establish simple codes with your partner (such as three quick pulses meaning "danger" or a steady rhythm meaning "all is well").
Mechanical Benefits

Coordinated Defense

When you can see your bonded partner and both of you are wearing your rings, you each gain a +1 bonus to AC. This bonus represents the unconscious awareness and protective instinct that flows between you.

Shared Resolve

If your bonded partner is within 30 feet of you and you can see them, you have advantage on saving throws against being frightened or charmed. Your partner grants you the same benefit. Love steadies the heart against fear and manipulation.

Emergency Beacon

Once per long rest, if you are reduced to 0 hit points while your bonded partner is within 1 mile, your ring sends an intense pulse of alarm to your partner, conveying your exact location and condition. Your partner immediately knows the direction and approximate distance to you (within 100 feet of accuracy) for the next 10 minutes. This effect occurs automatically and requires no action from you.

Limitations
The rings carry certain limitations that reflect the nature of the bond they represent:

Planar Boundaries

The telepathic communication and heartbeat echo functions cease to operate if the wearers are on different planes of existence. Only the emotional resonance (awareness of life/death and general emotional state) transcends planar boundaries.

Emotional Honesty

The rings cannot be used to lie through telepathic communication. While you can choose not to share certain thoughts, any thoughts you do consciously send through the ring are perceived by your partner as truthful. Attempts to deceive through the telepathic link cause the communication to fail, replaced by a sensation of static or discord.

Concentration Interference

If you are maintaining concentration on a spell, using the telepathic communication feature to send complex thoughts or images requires a DC 10 Constitution saving throw to maintain concentration, as the divided focus strains your mental discipline. Simple emotional impressions or single-word messages do not trigger this requirement.

Roleplay Hooks

Separation and Reunion

The rings provide excellent narrative opportunities for separated lovers. A character might feel their partner's distress through emotional resonance, spurring a rescue mission. Alternatively, the comfort of knowing a distant partner is safe can provide solace during long journeys or dangerous quests. DMs can use the rings to create dramatic moments: a sudden absence of emotional resonance might signal that a partner has crossed into another plane—or worse.

Tactical Coordination

In combat, the rings allow for silent coordination between partners. A rogue might telepathically signal their fighter partner about an ambush or separated party members might maintain communication during a complex infiltration. The heartbeat echo provides a backup communication method when magic is suppressed, and the emergency beacon can turn a potential tragedy into a dramatic rescue scene. DMs should reward creative tactical use while ensuring the rings don't overshadow other party members' abilities.

RPG-a-Day #17: Intensity

Today, we offer up another piece in the NUELOW Games d20 Superhero System of feats and talents. This one is a little different than the rest is that it consists of talents that aren't initially tied to a specific superpower feat. In fact, these talents are the exact opposite. (Everything in this post is released under the Open Game License. Copyright 2026 Steve Miller.)

 
The Intensity Talent Tree
The following talents enhance Minor Powers that deal damage to foes via elemental or energy sources. They increase the damage dealt by the power to which they are applied and can only be used on powers wielded directly by the character rather than some sort of equipment.

   Increase Elemental Damage: Gain +2d6 of damage inflicted by damage from elemental power sources (air, fire, earth, water). This bonus stacks with other bonuses gained from talents and feats.

   Prerequisite: Minor Power feat that allows character to do elemental damage to targets.

   Intensify Elemental Damage: Target's Fortitude saves made to reduce damage from elemental power sources suffer a -4 penalty.

   Prerequisite: Minor Power feat that allows character to do elemental damage to targets.

   Increase Energy Damage: Gain +2d6 of damage inflicted by damage from energy sources (electricity, kinetic, etc.). This bonus stacks with other bonuses gained from talents and feats.

   Prerequisite: Minor Power feat that allows character to do elemental damage to targets.

   Intensify Energy Damage: Target's Fortitude saves made to reduce damage from energy sources suffer a -4 penalty.

   Prerequisite: Minor Power feat that allows character to do energy damage to targets.

   Intensify Mental Attack: Target's Willpower saves made to resist telepathic powers suffer a -4 penalty.

   Prerequisite: Minor Power feat that allows character to mentally dominate or physically effect targets.

RPG-a-Day #16: Composure

"I've been practicing my human forms for tens of thousands of years, so I make it look easy. I can consistently adopt one of six different forms, with a couple of them being my favorites, and I will look like that specific individual each time. I make it look easy, but it's not. When you get angry, or frustrated, or even scared... well, it's hard to predict what will happen, but the form often doesn't hold."

--Brigid the Red, a dragon living secretly among humans

20 Random Effects from Loss of Composure 

by Shapeshifted Dragons

Roll 1d20 to determine the category, followed by a roll of a 1d4 to determine the specific effect. Alternatively, choose an appropriate effect when a shapeshifted dragon experiences strong emotion (rage, fear, desire, pain) or fails a concentration/composure check. Multiple effects can stack for dramatic reveals. Effects typically last 1-10 minutes unless otherwise noted, or until the creature regains composure.

Visual Transformations (1-4)

1. Eyes Flare - Pupils become vertical slits and glow with inner fire or sulfurous light (Intimidation checks gain advantage; Deception checks have disadvantage for 1 minute)

2. Skin Flickers - Patches of scales, leathery hide, or chitinous armor briefly appear across exposed skin (Observers within 10 feet may attempt Perception check DC 12 to notice)

3. Shadow Distortion - The creature's shadow moves independently or shows their true monstrous silhouette (Automatic detection by anyone specifically watching shadows)

4. Chromatic Shimmer - A heat-haze effect surrounds the body, with colors inappropriate for humans—deep crimson, sulfurous yellow, or void-black (Disadvantage on Stealth checks for 10 minutes)

Auditory Phenomena (5-8)

1. Voice Resonance - Speech gains an unnatural echo or multi-tonal quality, as if multiple voices speak at once (Persuasion checks have disadvantage; Intimidation checks gain advantage)

2. Bestial Growl - Words are punctuated by deep rumbling growls or hisses that vibrate in listeners' chests (All creatures within 15 feet must succeed on DC 13 Wisdom save or become frightened for 1 round)

3. Linguistic Slip - Accidentally speaks in Draconic, Infernal, or Abyssal mid-sentence (Reveals supernatural nature to anyone who understands the language)

4. Harmonic Distortion - Nearby sounds become muffled or distorted when the creature speaks, as if reality strains (Perception checks based on hearing have disadvantage within 20 feet)

Physical Manifestations (9-13)

1. Claw Emergence - Fingernails extend into black talons or claws for 1d4 rounds (Unarmed strikes deal 1d6 slashing damage instead of normal damage)

2. Temperature Flux - Body temperature spikes dramatically—burning hot for demons/fire dragons, freezing cold for ice dragons (Anyone touching the creature takes 1d4 fire or cold damage)

3. Vestigial Wings - Shoulder blades bulge and small wing-buds or membrane fragments tear through clothing (Movement speed increases by 10 feet; clothing may be ruined)

4. Fang Protrusion - Teeth sharpen and elongate into predatory fangs (Bite attack becomes available: +proficiency to hit, 1d6+Strength piercing damage)

Environmental Disturbances (14-17)

1. Ambient Heat/Cold - Temperature in a 15-foot radius increases or decreases by 20-30 degrees (Uncomfortable for others; may extinguish small flames or cause frost)

2. Electrical Discharge - Static electricity crackles across nearby metal objects and causes hair to stand on end (Metal armor wearers within 10 feet feel uncomfortable tingling)

3. Sulfurous Scent - Strong smell of brimstone, ozone, or ancient reptilian musk fills the area (Automatic detection by anyone within 20 feet; may cause nausea in sensitive individuals)

4. Reality Warp - Straight lines near the creature appear slightly curved; colors seem oversaturated or washed out (Observers must succeed on DC 14 Wisdom save or feel disoriented, disadvantage on attack rolls for 1 round)

Behavioral Changes (18-20)

1. Predatory Focus - Eyes lock onto the nearest creature and track them with unblinking, hunting intensity (Target must succeed on DC 13 Wisdom save or feel instinctively threatened)

2. Hoarding Compulsion - Becomes momentarily fixated on valuable objects, unable to look away from gold, gems, or magical items (Must succeed on DC 12 Wisdom save to avoid reaching for or commenting on valuables)

3. Territorial Aggression - Adopts dominant posture, moves to control high ground or central position, and becomes hostile to challenges (Automatically responds to perceived slights with hostility; Wisdom save DC 14 to suppress violent response)

4. True Personality - Becomes supremely arrogant and impatient with perceived foolishness or stupidity, makes no effort to be diplomatic or tolerant (Wisdom save DC 14 to suppress violent response)

Optional: Stacked Transformations

1. 1d4 transformation effects (Roll on tables above)

2-3. Two transformation effects (Roll on tables above)

4. Three transformation effects (Roll on tables above)

RPG-a-Day #15: Endurance

A feat for d20 System characters who are at peak physical condition and still push further.

IRON BODY [General]
Through rigorous physical conditioning and mental discipline, you have trained your body to withstand punishment and exertion that would cripple ordinary individuals. Your muscles, bones, and cardiovascular system operate at peak efficiency even under extreme duress. Your endurance is second to none.
   Prerequisites: Strength 13+, Base Fortitude save +2 or higher
   Benefits: Iron Body grants the following advantages..
   Damage Reduction 1/-: You gain damage reduction 1/- against all physical damage. This represents your body's ability to absorb and distribute impact force more effectively than untrained individuals.
   Fatigue Resistance: You gain a +4 bonus on Constitution checks made to resist nonlethal damage from forced marches, starvation, thirst, hot or cold environments, and suffocation. Additionally, you may ignore the effects of being fatigued for a number of rounds per day equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum 1). These rounds need not be consecutive.
   Extended Exertion: When performing strenuous physical activity (running, swimming, climbing, etc.) for extended periods, you may continue for twice as long before needing to make Constitution checks to avoid fatigue. When you do make such checks, you receive a +2 bonus.
   Special: The damage reduction from this feat stacks with damage reduction from class features, but not with damage reduction from other feats or equipment. The bonuses to Constitution checks stack with bonuses from talents and class abilities. If you possess the Toughness feat, you gain an additional +1 hit point per character level (this is in addition to Toughness's normal benefit).

RPG-a-Day #14: Regard

 

"Most dragons who choose to live among humans actually hold you and your civilizations in high regard; your ability to smash everything your neighbors--or even yourselves--build and then pick up the pieces and forge something new impresses and fascinates many of us. We choose to be as much a part of your civilizations and cultures as we can be."

--Brigid the Red, a dragon living secretly among humans

This post is the second part in a series.

Click here to read Part One.

DEALING WITH DRAGONS:

A Practical Guide to Approaching 

Draconic Entities in Humanoid Form

(Part Two)

An Instructive Text for Adventurers of All Experience Levels, By Brigid the Red

Approaching Chaotic Dragons: Red and White

Red and white dragons are chaotic and encountering either in humanoid form is extremely dangerous. They regard most humanoids as beneath them—potential servants, sources of amusement, or obstacles to be removed.

   Note that many humans regard red and white dragons as "evil." As a red dragon myself, I take some degree of exception to that. The fact is that dragons are beyond human morality and cannot be held to the everchanging definitions of "good" and "evil." 

Red Dragons: Pride and Dominance
Red dragons are the most arrogant creatures in existence. In humanoid form, they typically adopt personas of nobility, wealthy merchants, or powerful officials—positions that reflect their self-perceived superiority. They expect immediate deference and become enraged by perceived slights.
   Tactical Approach: When you realize you're dealing with a red dragon, your primary objective is survival through ego management. Reds respond to flattery, but it must be sophisticated and believable. Crude praise insults their intelligence. Instead, acknowledge their obvious superiority through your behavior: defer to their opinions, seek their counsel, position yourself as someone who recognizes quality and power when you see it.
   Never contradict a red dragon directly. If you must disagree, frame it as seeking clarification of their wisdom: "I may have misunderstood your brilliant strategy, but could you explain how..." This allows them to "correct" you while maintaining their superiority.
   Reds respect strength but despise weakness. Present yourself as competent and useful, but never as a rival. You're a valuable tool, not an equal. If negotiating, offer them something that enhances their prestige or wealth. They're greedy, but they value reputation and dominance more than gold.
   Immediate Threat: Red dragons have explosive tempers. If you've angered one, you have seconds to de-escalate. Immediate, genuine submission may save you. Groveling is not beneath you when facing a creature that can incinerate you with a breath.

White Dragons: Savage Simplicity
White dragons are the least intelligent and most bestial of true dragons. In humanoid form, they often appear as brutal warriors, enforcers, or isolated hermits. They're direct, violent, and have little patience for social niceties.
   Tactical Approach: Whites respect physical strength and direct communication. Avoid complex negotiations or subtle manipulation—they'll see it as weakness or deception and respond with violence. Speak plainly. If you have business, state it clearly and quickly.
   Show no fear, but offer no challenge. Whites interpret fear as an invitation to attack and challenges as threats requiring immediate response. Maintain neutral, confident body language. If they're in a position of authority (a guard captain, for instance), follow their orders without question or hesitation.
   Paradoxically, white dragons are among the most artistically inclined of dragonkind, often spending weeks or months shaping remote ice cliffs into abstract sculptures. Those who dwell among humans mostly do so to enjoy all manner of the artistic creations that humans have to offer..
   Exit Strategy: With both red and white dragons, always know your escape route. If the situation deteriorates, your goal is distance and obstacles between you and them. Reds will pursue if their pride is wounded; whites will pursue if they're hungry or angry. Neither forgives easily.

Engaging Lawful Dragons: Blue and Green

Blue and green dragons are lawful, which makes them far more dangerous than their chaotic counterparts in social settings. They're patient, calculating, and always playing a longer game than you realize.

Blue Dragons: Military Hierarchy
Blues are militaristic and obsessed with order, hierarchy, and long-term strategic planning. In humanoid form, they gravitate toward military command, government positions, or organized crime leadership. They build networks of power with themselves at the apex.
   Tactical Approach: Blues expect formal recognition of hierarchy. Determine where you fall in their perceived order and behave accordingly. If you're beneath them (and you almost certainly are), show appropriate respect through formal address, proper protocol, and acknowledgment of their authority.
   Blues value competence and loyalty. Present yourself as someone who understands chain of command and follows orders precisely. They despise chaos and unpredictability. If you're negotiating, come prepared with organized proposals, clear terms, and logical arguments. Blues respect professionalism.
   The Key Challenge: Blues are schemers who think in terms of campaigns, not battles. If a blue dragon is interacting with you, it's because you serve a purpose in their larger plan. Your goal is to understand that purpose without revealing that you're trying to understand it. Ask careful questions. Observe who else they're connected to. Never commit to anything without understanding the full scope of what you're agreeing to.
   Blues honor agreements to the letter but will exploit any ambiguity. If you make a deal with a blue dragon, have it witnessed and recorded. Specify every term explicitly. They'll follow the contract exactly—which means they'll use every loophole you leave them.

Green Dragons: Masters of Manipulation
Green dragons are the most dangerous conversationalists you'll ever encounter. They're master manipulators who thrive on intrigue, deception, and turning people against each other. In humanoid form, they appear as charming diplomats, cunning advisors, or influential socialites.
   Tactical Approach: Assume everything a green dragon tells you serves their agenda. They're not necessarily lying—greens are skilled enough that they rarely need to lie outright—but they're shaping your perception of reality to benefit themselves.
   Listen more than you speak. Greens gather information through conversation, using it to identify your weaknesses, desires, and pressure points. Every question they ask is strategic. Answer carefully and reveal as little as possible about your true motivations, allies, or resources.
   Stay Alert: Greens excel at making you think their ideas are your ideas. They plant suggestions so subtly that you believe you reached the conclusion independently. After any conversation with a suspected green dragon, review what was discussed with trusted allies. Ask yourself: "Whose interests does this serve?" If the answer is unclear, assume it serves the dragon.
   Never accept a green dragon's version of events without independent verification. They're skilled at presenting themselves as the reasonable party in any conflict, painting others as unreasonable or dangerous. They may even tell you they're trying to protect you from someone else—who is likely either innocent or another of the dragon's pawns.

Universal Protocol for Lawful Dragons: 

Both blues and greens value order and agreements, which means you can negotiate with them—but you must be extraordinarily careful. They will honor the letter of any agreement while violating its spirit. They're playing a game where they're always three moves ahead. Your best strategy is to avoid becoming entangled in their schemes entirely. If you must deal with them, keep interactions transactional, limited in scope, and documented.

Interacting with Good Dragons: Silver and Gold

Silver and gold dragons are lawful good, which means encountering one in humanoid form is actually fortunate—assuming you're not evil yourself. However, "good" doesn't mean "safe." These dragons are still immensely powerful beings who will judge you by their exacting standards.

Silver Dragons: Protectors and Champions
Silvers live among humanoids specifically to protect the innocent and fight evil. In humanoid form, they often appear as knights, city guards, adventurers, or community leaders. They're noble, courageous, and genuinely care about the people around them.
   Tactical Approach: Honesty is paramount. Silvers have exceptional insight into character (high Sense Motive bonuses) and despise deception. If you've identified a silver dragon, you can approach them directly—but only if your intentions are honorable. Explain why you're there, what you need, and be truthful about your capabilities and limitations.
   Silvers respect courage and integrity. They'll help those who genuinely need it, especially if you're fighting against evil or injustice. However, they have no patience for cowards, bullies, or those who exploit the weak. If you've done questionable things in your past, acknowledge them honestly and demonstrate that you've changed.

Gold Dragons: Righteous Judges
Golds are the most powerful and righteous of metallic dragons. They intervene against tyranny, corruption, and great evils. In humanoid form, they often occupy positions of significant authority—judges, high-ranking clergy, or respected sages. They embody justice and virtue.
   Tactical Approach: Golds will test your character. If they suspect you know what they are, they may create situations to observe how you behave when you think no one important is watching. Treat everyone with respect. Act with integrity. Demonstrate that your principles aren't situational.
   When dealing with a gold dragon directly, be completely honest about your goals and methods. Golds can detect lies with near-perfect accuracy and consider deception a serious character flaw. If you've made mistakes, own them and explain what you've learned. Golds value growth and redemption.

What Good Dragons Expect 

Both silvers and golds expect you to act honorably. They'll offer assistance if your cause is just, but they won't tolerate manipulation or exploitation of their good nature. If you betray their trust, you've made an enemy far more dangerous than any evil dragon—because good dragons have the moral authority and power to destroy you utterly, and they'll do so without hesitation if you prove yourself irredeemably evil.

The Blessing of Good Dragons

If a silver or gold dragon reveals themselves to you and offers alliance, you've gained one of the most powerful allies possible. Honor that relationship. These dragons remember their friends for centuries and will move mountains to protect those they deem worthy.

Conclusion: Survival and Secrets

You now possess dangerous knowledge. Dragons walk among us, hidden in plain sight, pursuing agendas that span decades or centuries. Some protect civilization from the shadows. Others manipulate it for personal gain. A few simply observe, gathering knowledge and treasure while waiting for the right moment to act.
   Your survival depends on three principles: respect, honesty, and discretion.
   Respect their power and intelligence. Even the weakest adult dragon can kill most adventuring parties. In humanoid form, they're no less dangerous—just more subtle. Regard every dragon encounter as potentially lethal, because it is.
   Be honest in your dealings. Dragons see through deception, and the attempt insults them more than the truth ever could. If you must keep secrets, do so through silence, not lies.
   Exercise absolute discretion about what you know. Revealing a dragon's cover to others is extraordinarily dangerous—not just to the dragon, but to you. Good dragons may see you as a security risk. Evil dragons will eliminate you to protect their position. Even telling other adventurers "that merchant is actually a dragon" can have catastrophic consequences if word spreads.
   Some secrets are meant to be kept. The dragon living as a human magistrate may be administering justice more fairly than any human could. The "merchant" accumulating wealth may be funding orphanages and hospitals. Or they may be plotting something terrible. Either way, it's not your secret to reveal.
   If you must act against an evil dragon in disguise, do so carefully and with powerful allies. Gather evidence. Build a coalition. Strike decisively when you're certain of victory. Half-measures against dragons are fatal.
   Remember: the dragon knows you know. They're watching to see what you'll do with that knowledge. Choose wisely. Your life, and the lives of everyone around you, may depend on it.