RPG-a-Day #30: Pride

A trio of OGL Modern/3.5 feats for prideful characters. (This entire post is released under the Open Game License and may be reproduced in accordance with its terms.)

Gilded Reputation [General]
Your legend precedes you—and you make certain it does.
    Prerequisites: Cha 13, Bluff 3 ranks, Diplomacy 4 ranks.
   Benefit: Once per scene, when you formally introduce yourself or make a point of announcing your name, title, or deeds to one or more NPCs who have not yet interacted with you in this scene, you may make a Diplomacy check as a free action. The result functions as though you had spent one full minute making a favorable first impression, and the target's initial attitude shifts one step toward Friendly on a result of 15 or higher, or two steps on a result of 25 or higher. This benefit applies only to sentient creatures capable of understanding you. If you are disguised or operating under a false identity, the feat has no effect.

Dominant Display [General]
You don't just defeat your enemies—you make them feel it.
   Prerequisites: Base Attack Bonus +3, Intimidate 4 ranks.
   Benefit: When you reduce an opponent to 0 or fewer hit points in melee combat, you may immediately attempt a free Intimidate check to demoralize all enemies within 30 feet who can see you. The DC equals 10 + the downed opponent's character level (or Hit Dice). Enemies who fail this check are shaken for a number of rounds equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum 1 round). Enemies who succeed are immune to this feat's effect for the remainder of the encounter. This is a free action triggered by the attack and does not count as your action for the round.

Wounded Honor [General]
An insult, a humiliation, a public slight—these things have a cost, and you make your enemies pay it.
   Prerequisites: Cha 13, Intimidate 6 ranks, Iron Will.
   Benefit: When you are publicly humiliated, reduced to half your maximum hit points or lower in view of witnesses, or when an opponent succeeds on an Intimidate check against you, you may declare a Response as a free action on your next turn. Choose one creature responsible for the triggering event. For a number of rounds equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier, you gain a +2 morale bonus on attack rolls and damage rolls against that creature, and a +2 morale bonus on Will saves against that creature's abilities. In addition, the first time you successfully hit that creature after declaring a Response, it must make a Will save (DC 10 + your character level + your Cha modifier) or be shaken for 1d4 rounds. You may declare a Response once per encounter.

RPG-a-Day #25: Familiarity

 

The following feats represent the growing coordination of a group of characters who have trained and fought together, gaining familiarity with each other's movements and capitalizing on shared experience. (Everything in this post is released under the Open Game License and may be reproduced in accordance with its terms.)

COORDINATED STRIKE [General]
Your team has learned to attack in concert, finding openings that a lone combatant cannot create.
   Prerequisites: Two or more other allies who also possess this feat, base attack bonus +2.
   Benefit: When you and at least one ally who possesses this feat both make melee or ranged attacks against the same target in the same round, you and each such ally gain a +1 competence bonus on attack rolls against that target. This bonus increases by +1 for each additional ally who possesses this feat and also attacks that target in the same round, to a maximum of +4.

COMBINED ARMS [General]
Your team moves and fights as a single disciplined unit, turning positioning into advantage.
   Prerequisites: Coordinated Strike, character level 6th.
   Benefit: Whenever an ally who possesses this feat is adjacent to a target you are making a melee attack against, you may treat that target as flanked regardless of your own position. In addition, once per round, when a qualifying ally hits a target and you are within 30 feet of that ally, you may take a free 5-foot step as an immediate action, provided the movement would not provoke an attack of opportunity.

UNITED FRONT [General]
Your team's coordination has become instinctive—each member's success reinforces the others.
   Prerequisites: Combined Arms, character level 9th.
   Benefit: Whenever an ally who possesses this feat scores a critical hit or reduces an opponent to 0 hit points or fewer, all other allies within 30 feet who also possess this feat gain a +2 morale bonus on attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks until the end of the triggering ally's next turn. If another triggering event occurs before this bonus expires, it does not stack; instead, the duration resets for all affected allies, running until the end of the new triggering ally's next turn.

RPG-a-Day #22: Grit

 Here are three OGL Modern feats for characters with grit. (They are easily adaptable to other d20 System games, and they are released under the Open Game License and may be reproduced in accordance with its terms.)

Ornery
You refuse to go down easy.
   Prerequisite: Constitution 13+
   Benefit: Whenever you would be reduced to 0 hit points or fewer, you may make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + the amount of damage in excess of your current hit points). If successful, you are instead reduced to 1 hit point and become fatigued. You can use this feat once per encounter.

Nerve Under Fire
Your calm demeanor steadies those around you. 
   Prerequisite: Charisma 12+, base Will save +2
   Benefit: As a free action, before you or an ally within 30 feet makes a saving throw against an effect that would impose the shaken or frightened condition, you may make a Charisma check (DC = the effect's save DC). If successful, that creature gains a +2 morale bonus on its saving throw against the effect. Additionally, you gain a +1 morale bonus to Will saves against fear effects. You can use the active portion of this feat once per encounter.

Push Through
You've learned to compartmentalize pain and keep moving.
   Prerequisite: Iron Will feat
   Benefit: Once per day, you may ignore the penalties from a single condition that imposes penalties (such as wounded, fatigued, or shaken) for a number of rounds equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum 1 round). During this time, you function as though you don't have that condition. When the duration ends, the condition returns and you become fatigued; if the condition ends before the duration does, you do not become fatigued.

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 #6: Reach

Over the past many years, a d20 Superpowers System has been developing, beginning with this post, continuing in other posts and published NUELOW Games releases, and with the feat below being the latest installment.

Art by Martin Filchock

ELONGATE [Minor Power]
You can elongate your body and/or limbs to extend your reach. You can extend your limbs to make any attack within 15 feet a melee attack. “Snapping back” to your normal shape is a free action.
   Once elongated, you can make melee attacks within your new reach as a standard action. If you can’t accurately sense your target (you’re elongating around a corner, for example), apply the rules for concealment. In addition, Elongation allows you to wrap up and entangle an opponent within the elongation range (+2 to grappling checks).

ELONGATE TALENTS

Unlike most Superpower talents, not just any Minor Power feat is required to access this tree. The character must have the Elongate feat first.

   Elongate I: You can now stretch your limbs up to 45ft, making melee strikes up to that distance. You can also stretch your entire body to increase your size by +1 category.

   Prerequisite: Elongate feat

   Elongate II: You can now stretch your limbs up to 70ft, making melee strikes up to that distance. You can also stretch your entire body to increase your size by +1 category.

   Prerequisite: Elongate I talent

   Elongate III: You can now stretch your limbs up to 100ft, making melee strikes up to that distance. You can also stretch your entire body to increase your size by +1 category.

   Prerequisite: Elongate II talent

   Elongate IV: You can now stretch your limbs up to 150ft, making melee strikes up to that distance. You can also stretch your entire body to increase your size by +1 category.

   Prerequisite: Elongate III talent

They're not just clowning around...

We've just released Carnival & Terror for the OGL Modern (and easily applied to other d20 System games). It lets players turn any character class into vehicles of mirth (Jesters) or mayhem (Harlequins) via feats and talent trees.

This post provides some ideas for suitable gear for each kind of clown character and what sort of settings they will work best in. 

Equipment Synergies

Jesters benefit from:

• Costumes: Oversized, brightly-colored silks and velvets with exaggerated proportions; bell-trimmed hats and jingling accessories that announce your arrival

• Props: Juggling clubs, rubber chickens, oversized mallets, confetti cannons, and springloaded gag items that enhance physical comedy

• Acrobatic Gear: Masterwork rope, climbing gloves, and padded vambraces that let you take falls without injury

• Magical Items: Cloak of Billowing (for dramatic flourishes), Boots of Speed (for enhanced mobility), or Gloves of Dexterity (for refined acrobatics)

• Performance Tools: Masterwork instruments, enchanted bells, or a Wand of Prestidigitation for visual gags

Harlequins benefit from:

• Makeup & Masks: Grotesque face paint in stark blacks and whites, porcelain masks with exaggerated grins, or Masks of the Skull that enhance intimidation

• Costumes: Tattered, stained silks in deep purples and blacks; torn ruffles and deliberately disheveled formal wear that suggests something deeply wrong

• Weapons: Wickedly-sharp throwing knives, a Dagger of Venom, or a Whip of Entanglement for sinister control

• Magical Items: Cloak of Shadows (for lurking in darkness), Ring of Intimidation, or a Helm of Telepathy (for psychological warfare)

• Tactical Gear: Smoke pellets, caltrops, and flash-bangs for dramatic entrances and disorienting opponents

Multiclassing and Combinations

The Jester works best with:

• Fast Hero: Maximizes mobility and acrobatic abilities

• Charismatic Hero: Enhances performance and crowd control effects

• Dedicated Hero: Provides durability to survive while entertaining

The Harlequin works best with:

• Charismatic Hero: Maximizes intimidation and psychological effects

• Dedicated Hero: Provides mental fortitude and staying power

• Fast Hero: Adds mobility for hit-and-run terror tactics

Campaign Integration

Jesters fit well in campaigns that feature:

• Circus or carnival settings

• Urban environments with crowds

• Light-hearted or comedic tones

• Teams that need morale support

• Situations requiring non-lethal solutions

Harlequins fit well in campaigns that feature:

• Horror or dark urban settings

• Psychological thriller scenarios

• Villain or anti-hero characters

• Intimidation-focused gameplay

• Gothic or noir atmospheres

To see previews or to get a copy of Carnival & Terrors, click here.

d20 Ballerinas

By way of a preview of a couple forthcoming releases, here Items and feats that did not make the final cut. It's not that they're no good, it's that they didn't fit the tones of the final edits! (All text in this post is released under the Open Game License and may be reproduced in accordance with its terms. Copyright Steve Miller 2026).

NEW FEAT 

Captivating Gaze
You have learned to hold an audience's attention through presence alone. 
   Prerequisite: Cha 13, Charisma-based class feature or 2 ranks in Perform (dance)
   Benefit: You gain a +2 bonus on Diplomacy and Gather Information checks.When you use Perform (dance) as part of a social encounter, observers treat you as one attitude category more favorable (hostile becomes unfriendly, unfriendly becomes indifferent, etc.) for 1 hour after your performance ends.

NEW MAGIC ITEMS

Leotard of the Radiant Performer
Aura: Moderate enchantment; Weight: 1 lbs
   This dazzling leotard is covered in thousands of tiny golden sequins that catch and reflect light in mesmerizing patterns. When the wearer moves, the garment seems to glow with an inner radiance, drawing all eyes to the performer within.

   Abilities: The wearer gains a +4 competence bonus on Perform checks and a +2 enhancement bonus to Charisma. Additionally, the wearer gains a +2 competence bonus on Bluff and Diplomacy checks. 

   Special: Three times per day, the wearer may activate the leotard as a swift action to gain the benefits of glitterdust centered on themselves, though they automatically succeed on the saving throw and are unaffected by the blindness. The dazzling display lasts for 3 rounds and affects all creatures within 10 feet.

Leotard of Strength and Supple Grace
Aura: Moderate transmutation; Weight: 2 lbs
   This deep crimson leotard is crafted from reinforced silk interwoven with threads of mithral. Despite this, the garment moves like water, conforming perfectly to the wearer's body and never restricting motion.
   Abilities: The wearer gains a +3 bonus to both Strength and Dexterity. Additionally, the wearer gains a +4 competence bonus on Escape Artist checks and may add their Strength modifier (if positive) to Tumble checks in addition to their Dexterity modifier.

   Special: The leotard grants its wearer the ability to treat their carrying capacity as if their Strength score were 4 points higher (this stacks with the enhancement bonus the leotard provides).

By further way of preview, here are covers for the forthcoming ballet-related d20 System releases... keep an eye out at DriveThruRPG!

A New Feat for d20 System Games: Last Words!

In NUELOW's classic ROLF!: The Rollplaying of Big Dumb Fighters, there's a skill called Strategic Bleeding. Basically, characters with that ability get one final "screw you" toward whoever or whatever is killing them by bleeding all over them, ruining their clothes and just making a mess in general.

With the Last Words feat, we bring the same sort of vibe to d20 System games!

LAST WORDS [General]
You can curse your killer with your dying breath.
   Prerequisites: Cha 13
   Benefit: When the character is killed by a creature, his or her last action can be to place a minor death curse on the killer. The curse has a duration of 1d4 weeks and imposes a -2 penalty to all ability scores. The breaking condition is determined by the GM but should be related to making amends for the character's death.
   Special: This feat activates automatically when the character dies, and instantly grants a free standard action. This action can only be used for dramatically (or even melodramatically) proclaiming the curse on your killer. This free action cannot be used in any other way.

(This feat is presented under the Open Game License and it may be reproduced in accordance with those terms. Copyright 2026 Steve Miller.)

A must-have feat for d20 System action hero characters!

DRAMATIC SLOW-MOTION DIVE
You've mastered the art of diving dramatically through the air while firing weapons, even though physics suggests this shouldn't help (or even be possible) at all.

   Prerequisites: Dex 13+, at least 3 levels in any class (or combination of classes)
   Benefit: Once per encounter, you may declare a Dramatic Slow-Motion Dive as a full-round action. You leap through the air in an unnecessarily theatrical manner while firing your weapon. You take a -4 penalty to AC/DR until your next turn, but you gain a +4 bonus to all ranged attack rolls made during this action and automatically confirm any critical threats. All allies within 30 feet who can see you must succeed on a DC 15 Will save or spend their next action saying "Whoa" or "Did you see that?" instead of acting.
   Special: If you miss all your attacks, you land prone and take 1d6 non-lethal stun damage. Your allies may mock you mercilessly.

RPG-a-Day Challenge #5 -- Ancient

These feats for d20 System games are released under the Open Game License and may be reproduced in accordance with it. Copyright Steve Miller 2025.

THE ANCIENT FEATS GROUP

The following feats are of the [Ancient] group. They may be chosen by characters who are in the age category of Old and beyond according to the character race's aging chart whenever a feat is gained.

Cranky [Ancient]

You're too old for this crap.

Prerequisite: 3rd level

Benefit: You gain a+2 bonus to melee attack rolls, as well as +4 damage if you are inflicting non-lethal damage.

Do As I Say, Not As I Do.[Ancient]
You say things others should live by.
  Prerequisite: Cha 15
  Benefit: +4 bonus to all Bluff and Intimidate skill checks.
  Special: This feat can be selected as a bonus feat by Clerics (D&D), Charismatic Heroes (d20 Modern) and Dedicated Heroes (d20 Modern) whether they meet the age requirement or not.

Experienced [Ancient]
This isn't your first rodeo.
  Prerequisite: 5th level
  Benefit: +2 bonus to all Bluff, Sense Motive, and Spot skill checks,

Jaded [Ancient]
You are confident that you've seen it all. Twice.
  Prerequisite: 10th level, Experienced
  Benefit: +2 bonus to resist all Fear-effects, Mind-Effecting spells and exceptional or special abilities that mimic them.

No More Fucks to Give [Ancient]
You've had it with their shit.
  Prerequisite: 15th level, Jaded
  Benefit: +4 bonus to resist all Fear-effects, Mind-Effecting spells and exceptional or special abilities that mimic them. +4 bonus to Intimidate skill checks. +2 bonus to base AC/Defense Rating. +1 to all Initiative rolls.

The Dragon and the Presidents of the United States of America

Brigid is an ancient red dragon who enjoys being with humans.

Since 1701 A.D., Brigid the Dragon has maintained at least one dwelling ("lair" to the traditionalists) in what is presently the United States of America, with her oldest being in the mountains of Virginia. She has always loved the idea of a republic, and she found she loved it even more when a stripe of democracy was thrown into the mix. She REALLY loved the idea of branches of government being at odds with each other in certain ways, ensuring that the totalitarian bent that is so fundamental to humans wouldn't creep in. Well, it wouldn't creep in if humans weren't so easily corrupted by greed and lust for personal power and glory.

Since George Washington was first elected President of the United States in 1789, Brigid has been meeting with them shortly before they are to assume the office. Since the 1930s, she has tended to have the meeting take place with both the outgoing and incoming president, because she wants to be sure that there is no miscomprehension about the fact that so long as the American government remains centered in the Constitution, she would provide support to a president who has legitimate claim on the office. 

Joe Biden, Brigid, and Donald Trump in November of 2024

Her support is expected to be kept secret from the public, advisors, and anyone not approved by Brigid. Still, she works occasionally with the U.S. military and intelligence and law enforcement agencies. Basically, she's an open, but deeply classified government secret, like the existence of space aliens and Immortals. 

But what is the support Brigid offers? Aside from the perspective of a highly intelligent and creative being that is almost 400,000 years old, she grants a magical blessing to the President. Here is that blessing in d20 System terms, presented as a feat.

THE DRAGON'S BLESSING [Dragon Magic, Supernatural]

By sharing a drink and/or a meal with a mortal whom the dragon wants to help overcome great challenges, the dragon bestows a magical gift to the character. 

    Prerequisite: The character must be the leader, or key participant in executing, of some great enterprise that will benefit untold numbers of other mortals. The character must accept the invitation of the dragon to have the meeting and then must partake in the food and/or beverage the dragon offers.

The sharing of food and drink is a subtle ritual through which the dragon 

    Benefit: For a number of years predetermined by the dragon (4, 8, 12, 16, or 20), the recipient of the Dragon's Blessing gains the following bonuses:

    * +4 bonus to Bluff, Diplomacy, and Sense Motive skill checks

    * +2 bonus to all other Intelligence-, Wisdom-, and Charisma-based skill checks

    * +1 bonus to all Dexterity- and Constitution-based skill checks.

    The bonuses last from the person's first day undertaking the mighty task and/or playing an important role in the organization to which the belong, through the exact end of the period specified. The blessing ends early if the recipient breaks promises made, acts against the expected morality or purpose that the recipient is supposed to defend/working toward.

    Special: This feat temporarily replaces another feat the character possesses that gives bonuses to skill checks; the player of the character gets to choose which one is replaced. Dragon's Blessing overrides the specified feat until the end of the duration set by the dragon. If the character loses the benefits of the feat through actions contrary to his or her vows and duties, the other feat still remains ineffective until the duration of the blessing has ended. 

   While the blessing is in effect, the character can choose to shift this feat into a feat slot gained through level advancement instead of choosing a new feat. The feat that was replaced by the Dragon's Blessing once again provides a benefit in this case. When the Dragon's Blessing ends, the feat slot opens, and the player must choose another feat to fill it.

--

And to round out this post, here are a few pictures of Brigid with U.S. presidents of the past many years, mostly while meeting them either in her Virginia or Arizona homes. Two of the three are among her favorite presidents. Can you guess which two?

Brigid and Barack Obama in August of 2011

Brigid and Barack Obama in April of 2014

Donald Trump, Brigid, and Barack Obama in November of 2016

Barack Obama, Brigid, and Donald Trump in November of 2016

Donald Trump, Brigid, and Barack Obama in January of 2017

Donald Trump and Brigid in October of 2019

Donald Trump, Brigid, and Joe Biden in January of 2021

Joe Biden and Brigid in March 2021

Brigid and Barack Obama in September of 2021

Brigid and Joe Biden in November 2021

 

Donald Trump, Brigid, and Barack Obama in April of 2022

Joe Biden and Brigid in July of 2022

 

Donald Trump, Brigid, and Barack Obama in October of 2022

Joe Biden and Brigid in December of 2022

Brigid and Joe Biden in February of 2023

Joe Biden and Brigid in May of 2023

 

Donald Trump, Brigid, and Barack Obama in September of 2023

Joe Biden and Brigid in November of 2023

 

Donald Trump, Brigid, and Barack Obama in July of 2024

Donald Trump, Brigid, and Joe Biden in January of 2024

NUELOW at Christmas: Day Eleven

'Tis the Season for Feats... and these should appeal to d20 System gamers wether they love of hate Christmas! (All feats in this post are presented under the Open Game License.)

CHRISTMAS CAROLER [General]
Your musical talents and skills as a performer increase during the Christmas Season, even more so when you are performing, or performing to, Christmas music.

   Prerequisite: At least 1 rank in two or more Perform skills.
   Benefit: From December 15 through January 5 each year, you gain a +4 bonus to all skills related to dancing, singing, and playing instruments. The bonus is increased to +6 if your performance involves Christmas music.
   Special: During the rest of year, the bonus from this feat is +1, but it applies to all varieties of performances involving music in one way or another.from this feat apply to all performances is reduced to +1.

GRINCH [General]
You are adept at stealing that which might bring others joy.
   Benefit: From December 15 through January 5, you gain a +4 bonus to all Disable Device/Traps, Hide, Move Silently and Open Locks skill checks made to steal gifts, packages, and holiday decorations.
   Special: During the rest of year, the bonus gained from this feat is +1.

HOLIDAY WARRIOR [General]
Whether you're pro-Christmas ("there's a war on Christmas!"/"I am insulted that you wished me Happy Holidays!") or anti-Christmas ("your cultural appropriation of the trappings of dead pagan religions offends me"/"I feel violated by your Christmas decorations!"), you are a brilliant at ruining everyone's good mood and holiday cheer.
   Benefit: Whenever the character is within 30 ft. of Christmas decorations, or other items related by Christmas, or someone brings up anything related to Christmas or wishes him or her "Happy Holidays!", you gain a +4 bonus to Intimidate skill checks, as well as a +2 bonus to all melee attack rolls. You also impose a -2 penalty on Morale checks. The effects last until the character leaves the area.
   Special: The benefits of this feat can also apply to Easter, Kwanza, Yom Kippur, Ramadan... any major holiday during which others want to have fun or enjoy each other's company and fellowship that the character wants to ruin. In such cases, the player merely needs to say that he or she is applying the Holiday Warrior benefits to the holiday in question.

KRAMPUS [General]
The naughty had better watch out!
   Prerequisite: Naughty or Nice
   Benefit: You gain a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls against targets identified using the Naughty or Nice feat. In addition, any spells or spell-like abilities uses agains the target function at one level higher than the character's actual caster level.

SELFLESS [General]
You are ready to support those in need.
   Benefit: Give up one of your character's actions. Designate another player. The character under that player's control gains a +4 bonus to the next d20 roll made. You may use this ability as many times each round as you have actions.
   Special: When this feat is chosen, gain 2 character points that must be spent on skills immediately.

TIDINGS OF COMFORT AND JOY [General]
You spread joy and cheer.
   Prerequisite: Wisdom 12, Charisma 14
   Benefit: Take a full round action to make a Concentration check (DC8). For the duration of the next encounter, all other PCs and allied NPCs present when you make the check gain a +2 bonus to all saving throws and morale checks.
   Special: The bonus is increased to +4 for present PCs and NPCs who join together and sing a Christmas carol (or other campaign-setting appropriate song of a similar nature) while the skill check is being made. Skills checks of Perform (sing) (DC4) are needed to stay on key.

--

And to keep the Christmas Spirit building among all of you out there, here's a great video (with even greater music) from violinist/dancer Lindsey Sterling. (We think she may have the Christmas Caroler feat...)

NUELOW at Christmas: Day Two

Santa knows who's been bad... and he's had enough of their sh*t!

How does he know? It's a combination of three things: A natural ability, magic spells, and an ancient artifact. Today, we translate Santa's natural ability to know who's been bad or good into d20 System game mechanics!

(The rest of this post is presented under the Open Game License and may be reproduced in accordance with its terms.)

OGL d20 SYSTEM FEAT: NAUGHTY OR NICE

You can tell someone's bad or good by just looking at them.

   Prerequisite: Intelligence 12, Wisdom 12

   Benefit: As a standard action, you may look at a living person or being and immediately know if they have good or evil intentions toward you, your allies, or innocent beings. (This does not necessarily reflect their alignment--if the d20 System variant you are using includes the alignment mechanic--but rather what the moral ramifications of their immediately past or near-future actions will be. 

   You may use this this feat a number of times each day equal to your Wisdom bonus.  

   Targets must have Intelligence and Wisdom scores of at least 4 for the ability of this feat to be effective. Spells and abilities that prevent scrying or other divination magic or spell-like and supernatural powers also impede this feat. The target appears "nice" when studied.

   Special: This feat is considered a "minor power feat" for the purposes to acquiring superpower talents.

The Miraculous Magic of Mystic Moot (d20 Magic Body Parts)

We've got another comics/rpg product in the works. This one will collect most of the "Mystic Moot and His Magic Snoot" stories by the great Basil Wolverton in one place. It's massive amounts of goofiness delivered in four-page doses, and it might even be the perfect comic to read with the little ones to feed their interest in comics! And what's even better? It will feature all-new, ever-before-seen cover art by the great cartoonist Stan!

Who is Mystic Moot, you ask? Well, let's hear from the man himself, along with Wolverton providing a little background!

Along with the comics, there will be some d20 System rules that will let your characters have magic body parts, just like Moot. (There may even be some ROLF! content... it's been a while!)

Meanwhile, here's a little bit of a preview. It's part of the Magic Body Parts rules. If you have feedback on this preview, we'd love to hear it. (You don't need to tell us if you think it's silly, and has the potential for all sorts of stupid antics in-game. We know. It's the Way of Mystic Moot.)

The rest of this post is released under the Open Game License and it may be reproduced in accordance with its terms. Copyright 2022 Steve Miller.

MAGIC BODY PARTS BASICS

Every person (perhaps every being) is born with a magic body part. Through this very special point of their physical form, beings can naturally channel magic, without the need for strange phrases and doo-dads, and bits of precious metals. By thinking about, gesturing with, or touching the magic body party, and simultaneously wishing for a specific effect, the person can cast spells as if he or she was a sorcerer or a priest.

Further, if the character is a sorcerer or a priest (or gains spell-casting abilities from other talents or feats), he or she adds Magic Body Part spells to the total spells that can be cast each day. The Magic Body Part spells are tracked on a separate list, as they are their own unique group of spells.

While everyone has a magic body part, not everyone has the ability to use it. The powers of the magic body part can be discovered in a variety of ways--during a moment of extreme danger or pleasure, or from gurus wise in the ways of magic body parts. Even when a person becomes aware of their magic body part, it takes dedication and practice to fully master its potential. (The spells that can be powered trough the magic body part are limited in scope and variety when compared to other spellcasting disciplines and methods, but the advantage is that no specific material, somatic, or verbal components are needed, and the person can invoke a spell anytime and anywhere he or she wants.)

A character's magic body part can be determined at creation, or it can be "discovered" later as the character gains levels and progresses through a campaign. Players whose characters have identified their magic body parts can either specify what that part is (the nose, the right ear, the left middle finger, the chest, and so on) or roll on a random table that will be included in NUELOW Games' Mystic Moot comics/rpg product.

The player may choose the character's magic body part, but the GM may overrule the choice if he or she feels it is not in step with the tone or maturity level he or she wants in the game.

The character's mastery of his or her magic body part is represented in the game mechanics and rules by a feat and a talent tree. The feat and talent trees are available to all character classes in games where they are allowed by the GM.

 

MAGIC BODY PARTS: FEATS AND TALENT TREES

Once the character becomes aware of his or her Magic Body Parts, magic can be channeled through them, creating spell effects from the Magic Body Parts spell list. The Magic Body Part feat forms the foundation of the ability while the talents reflect the character's advancing mastery of his or her power.

Magic Body Part Feat [Minor Power, Supernatural]

You are able to channel magic through a specific part of your body and create limited spell effects.

   Benefit: With a standard action and a successful Willpower saving throw (DC13), you may cast a 0-level Magic Body Part spells a number of times per day equal to your character level. Caster level is equal to the character level. If the spell fails, you may retry the following round.

   Special: If you touch the magic body party while channeling magic, or thrust it forcefully in the direction of a target, the Willpower saving throw is DC10.

   This feat serves as a prerequisite for superpower talent trees.

Magic Body Part Talent Tree

These talents reflect a character's mastery of his or her magic body part.

   Magic Body Part Mastery (Basic): The character may cast 1st-level and 2nd-level Magic Body Part spells, in addition to 0-level Magic Body Part spells. The total number of Body Part spells the character may cast per day increases to twice his or her character level. All other rules for casting body part spells remain as described in the Magic Body Part feat.

   Prerequisite: Magic Body Part feat.

   Magic Body Part Mastery (Comprehensive): The character may cast 3rd-level and 4th-level Magic Body Part spells, in addition to 0- through 2nd-level Magic Body Part spells. The total number of Body Part spells the character may cast per day increases by an amount equal to his or her Charisma bonus, in addition to the existing total. All other rules for casting body part spells remain as described in the Magic Body Part feat.

   Prerequisite: Magic Body Part Mastery (Basic).

   Magic Body Part Mastery (Epic): The character may cast 5th-level and 6th-level Magic Body Part spells, in addition to 0- through 4th-level Magic Body Part spells. The total number of Body Part spells the character may cast per day increases by an amount equal to his or her Charisma bonus, in addition to the existing total. All other rules for casting body part spells remain as described in the Magic Body Part feat.

   Prerequisite: Magic Body Part (Comprehensive).

   Magic Body Part Mastery (Legendary): The character may cast 7th-level and 8th-level Magic Body Part spells, in addition to 0- through 6th-level Magic Body Part spells. The total number of Body Part spells the character may cast per day increases by an amount equal to his or her Constitution bonus, in addition to the existing total. All other rules for casting body part spells remain as described in the Magic Body Part feat.

   Prerequisite: Magic Body Part (Epic).

MAGIC BODY PART SPELLS

[They will be in "Mystic Moot and His Magic Snoot" -- coming soon from NUELOW Games!]

New Feat: Divide by Zero

Here's a feat for use with the NUELOW Games superpowers d20 System rules, or just for the hell of it in particularly crazy games. (Well, even when used as a superpower, it probably works best in particularly crazy games...)

All text in this post is presented under the Open Game License, and it may be reproduced in accordance with its terms. Copyright 2022 Steve Miller.

DIVIDE BY ZERO [Meta-Gaming, Minor Power]
Nothing is impossible. NOTHING!
   Prerequisite: Lucky feat
   Benefit: Whenever you fail a d20 roll (attack, saving throw, or skill check), you may reroll by announcing to the DM that you are doing so.
   Special: There are two outcomes from invoking this feat.

   If the re-roll is successful, treat it as a critical success (when appropriate). You gain a +1 bonus to all d20 rolls for the rest of the game session.
   If the re-roll fails, you (and possibly the other player characters) suffer one of the following random consequences. (DM's choice/creation or random selection by rolling 1d8 from the following table.)
   1. Your character suffers a -1 penalty to all d20 rolls for the rest of the game session.

   2. Your character suffers a -2 penalty to all d20 rolls for the rest of the game session.

   3. Your character's shadow disconnects from him or her. At the beginning of the next round, the shadow solidifies into a exact copy of the character, with the same attributes, hit points, skills, and combat abilities. All gear and equipment is copied as well. This shadow-being immediately attacks the character from which it sprang. It does not stop until it or the character is defeated (below 0 hit points), at which time it dissolves with a shriek of frustration and pain.
   4. Your character's shadow disconnects from you at the end of the encounter and become an independent creature. Until you manage to recover it, you will cast no shadow.
   5. Your character no longer cast a shadow, nor does he or she have a reflection. This condition persists for 1d6+1 days.
   6. Your character's reflection in mirrors has a 50% chance of emerging from the mirror and attacking him or her if no one else is around. This mirror image of the character has  the same attributes, hit points, skills, and combat abilities. All gear and equipment is copied as well. This being attacks the character until it or its target is defeated (reduced below 0 hit points). It then it explodes into hundreds of mirror fragments, with a dying shriek of frustration and pain, and inflicts 1d4+1 points of damage upon . This condition persists for 1d6+1 days.

   7. All PCs and major NPCs present during when the failed re-roll was made, and who are alive at the end of the encounter, are subject to a -2 penalty to all d20 rolls until they unite to seek out the Monkey King at the center of Reality. All living characters must undertake this journey together, or none will be liberated from the curse by the Monkey King.

   8. The character's physical form changes. Roll on this table to determine determine the character's new sex and on this table to determine his or her new race.

Coming Soon: 'The Original Peacemaker'!

We're finalizing a new release that's been on-again, off-again since 2017 or so. (While this can be said of most of our planned releases lately, this one has been more-so than some of others.)

Given that there's a TV series currently headling the Peacemaker, we figure the time is now or never to  time to bring out THE ORIGINAL PEACEMAKER! It will collect half-a-dozen early Peacemaker tales by the character's creators, Joe Gill, Pat Boyette, and Dick Giordano and feature new d20 System content. We hope this first release will be the first of two volumes.

By way of a preview, here's draft material of some of the d20 System content that will be in the book first book. The art with this post is an unfinished draft of the cover for the projected second volume in the series, as well as panels from the comics, taken from raw scans. (As per usual, they'll be cleaned up a bit and in black-and-white in the actual book.)

 

NEW EQUIPMENT

Here are d20 System rules for some of the more unique items in the Peacemaker's armory, . All are the product of Christopher Smith's singular genius, and he will only share them with his most trusted allies.

BRAINWAVE AUGMENTATION HELMET

During his brief association with NASA, Christopher Smith had the opportunity to study some alien technology that had been recovered on the Moon. The device, which looked like a chair, allowed a person sitting in cause it to rise into the air and slowly float in whatever direction the user wished. the person in the chair could also cause small items to float in the air and even bring them to him or her, or cause them to float toward targets. 

   Smith managed to reverse engineer and miniaturize the portion of the alien device augmented human brainwaves to grant limited telekinetic and telepathic powers. He encased his invention in the helmet he wears as the Peacemaker. 

   Although the helmet appears solid, it can be collapsed into an almost flat state (just three inches in depth) and can easily be concealed in a briefcase, for example.

    Using the Brainwave Augmentation Helmet: When wearing the Brainwave Augmentation Helmet, the user can make a Willpower saving throw to either use telepathy to project thoughts to a single target within line-of-sight, use telekinesis to manipulate small objects, or fire the laser built into the front of the helmet.

   When a would-be user puts on the helmet for the first time, he or she feels like someone just crushed his or her head with a rock. The character must roll a Fortitude saving throw (DC12) or become unconscious. If the character wears the helmet for three full rounds (with a successful DC12 Fortitude save required each round), the pain stops as immediately as it began, and he or she is now attuned to the helmet and may wear it without difficulty going forward. If he or she became unconscious or removed the helmet, the process must be repeated. 

   Projecting Thoughts: The character wearing the Brainwave Augmentation Helmet must specify the target to whom thoughts are to be sent. As a full round action, upon making a successful Willpower saving throw, the character may then transmit a statement, question, or command to the target. The target hears the character's voice in his or her head, in the target's native language. The difficulty of the Willpower saving throw is DC4, with +2 added for each word sent, and +2 added for every 20 feet of distance between the sender and the target. The player must specify the message before the roll is made, and if the saving throw fails, the target does not hear the thoughts. 

    The user of the helmet can try to send messages to a target as many times as he or she wishes, with a new Willpower save required for each attempt. The target does not typically receive a saving throw to resist, but if he or she is aware of what's happening and does not want to give the user access to their head, the target's Wisdom bonus is added to the user's Willpower DC.

   Manipulating Small Objects: As standard action, the user of the helmet can flip switches, pull triggers, turn handles, or do any other manipulation of small objects within his or her line of sight. He or she can also lift small objects and cause them to float slowly in the air in whatever direction he or she wills, so long as he or she concentrates on the object.

   To use the telekinetic powers granted by the Brainwave Augmentation Helmet, the wearer must specify an object and an action. Then, he or she must roll a Willpower saving throw (base DC2, with +2 added for every 5 feet of distance between the user and the object, as well as an additional +2 for every 5 pounds of weight).

   Firing the Helmet Laser: As a free action, the user must aim the laser by looking at the target and then fire it by making a successful Willpower saving throw (base DC0). The user must then take a standard attack action and roll a ranged attack to see if he or she successfully hits the intended target. 

   The wearer can choose to just fire individual shots or cause sustained damage. The laser has a range increment of 10 feet, and it deals 3d6 points of damage (energy/piercing/heat) per shot, or 3d6+6 damage (energy/piercing/heat) per round if the damage is sustained. It also causes metal s The user can take no other actions while inflicting sustained damage with the helmet laser, and if he or she suffers damage or otherwise is subjected to a condition that can cause distraction, he or she must make a successful Concentration skill check (DC12+damage suffered) or the laser stops working. The character can attempt to reinitialize it the following round.

   To use the helmet laser to maximum efficiency, a character must possess the Exotic Weapon (Helmet Laser) feat. Otherwise, he or she suffers a -4 penalty to the ranged attack roll.

JETPACK
Peacemaker's jetpack is a marvel of miniaturization, and, is once again one of Christopher's unique inventions. It consists of a small backpack and fuel cells capable of producing powered flight for up to 6 hours. A character equipped with a jetpack can hover in place and fly at a maximum speed of 80 feet per round (good maneuverability). The speed is reduced to 40 feet if the user is Encumbered (such as if carrying another person or some heavy object).

   With the flick of a switch, the jetpack can be reset to propel the Peacemaker under water at speeds up on 40 feet per round.

  

PLIABLE BODY ARMOR

The Peacemaker's helmet and uniform are made from an ultralight, absorbent material invented by Christopher Smith. It feels like cotton when worn, but provides protection from normal bullets fired by handheld firearms, as well as limited protection from explosives and other damage from kinetic energy sources.

   The Pliable Body Armor does not increase a character's Defense Rating, but instead reduces damage from projectiles, explosions, and falls by 3 and converts additional damage (up 20 points) to non-lethal damage. 

   The Pliable Body Armor may be worn under regular clothing or even other types of armor. It is not breathable, however, so characters who wear it for extended periods in extreme temperature conditions will have to make Constitution attribute checks (DC11, with the difficulty increasing by +1 for each check). The character becomes Fatigued after the first failed check, and Exhausted after the second. The character becomes Unconscious after the third failed check.

STUN PELLETS

Identical in shape and size to regular bullets, and compatible with firearms of the appropriate caliber, these turn lethal weapons into non-lethal ones. This special ammunition is the creation of Christopher Smith, and he typically carries at least one firearm or magazine loaded with this type of round so he may disable rather than kill his opponents.

   When a living target is struck by a stun pellet, he or she suffers 1 point of damage, plus an amount of non-lethal damage equal to whatever the standard lethal damage would be (subject to Damage Reduction, if any). If the damage reduced the character to 0 hit points or less, he or she becomes Unconscious. Otherwise, the struck character can take no actions for the rest of the round, other than to fall prone to the ground.

NEW FEATS

The following feats can be added to the Charismatic Hero and Smart Hero bonus feats lists if they are included in a campaign.

EXOTIC WEAPON PROFICIENCY: HELMET LASER [General]

You have mastered the thought-controlled laser in the Peacemaker helmet.

   Prerequisite: Base Attack Bonus +1

   Benefit: You make ranged attack rolls with the helmet laser normally.

   Normal: Attacks with the helmet laser are made with a -4 penalty.

   
MILITANT PACIFIST [General]
You don't start fights, but you sure will try to finish them.
    Prerequisites: Charisma 14, Negotiator feat, Diplomacy 4 ranks
    Benefit: When you declare you wish to use this feat, you automatically give up initiative for the encounter, except for the following actions: 

    You must reveal yourself to potential foes, confronting them openly and free of any cover. While facing them head on like this, you must offer your foes a chance to resolve the conflict peacefully. If they choose to not take you up on the offer, you  gain a +4 bonus to hit and damage rolls, and a +2 bonus to DR/AC for the duration of the encounter.. 

    The GM may call for a Bluff or Diplomacy skill check to see if your effort to convince the enemy to resolve matters peacefully  is successful or not. If any of your allies attack the enemy while you are trying to take to them, you automatically fail, and still lose initiative.
    This feat can only be used against creatures with Intelligence of 4 or better.

The Truth?! Can you handle The Truth?!

Here's a feat for the characters who know the truth is out there, and who can find it in the most unusual places by connecting dots and finding patterns that no one else can connect or see! (The material is released under Open Game License and may be reproduced accordingly... if They will allow it. Copyright 2021 Steve Miller.)

 

CONSPIRACY THEORIST [General]
Just because they're not out to get you, doesn't mean they want to keep you from revealing the Truth!

   Benefit: Gain +2 bonus to all Bluff skill checks and Gather Information skill checks. The bonus increases to +6 on Bluff checks made when explaining why your conspiracy theories are true... because you Want To Believe.
   Special: Suffer a -2 penalty to all Sense Motive skill checks. The penalty increases to -6 when you're dealing with another character that also possesses the Conspiracy Theory feat.

And click here for a related post with items that no well-equipped truth-seeker should be without.

Also, while we're providing links, here's an evil for the conspiracy-busting PCs to investigate and stop: THE VEGAN DEATH CONSPIRACY!