The patrons and designers have completed the first drafts of the The Lost City of Kadralhu patronage project, and now is a great time to jump on if you’re curious but haven’t yet signed up. This week, we present pages from Logan Bonner, Michael Furlanetto, Tracy Hurley, and Quinn Murphy.

We tried to choose sections that were as spoiler-free as possible, but if you’re planning to play this adventure, you should probably not peek.

Now, we present a few details of the tainted plant malsalix.

[previously]

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Originally found in the dark recesses of the fey realms, the malsalix is well known in certain circles for its penchant for stealing abilities. Since its introduction to the waterworks, the plant has grown quite comfortable in the dark environs…

Life Cycle

Spores:The plant begins its life as small spores. The spores interfere with the ability to remember things, especially positive emotions such as friendship and love.

Slime: When the spores settle in a nice moist place, they grow into sheets of interwoven strands. These slimes can steal abilities, such as powers.

Seedlings: The strands grow thicker and take on a wood-like appearance. They stretch upward, and the plant appears much more humanoid and can even walk upright.

Mature Plant: The original vines harden, and the number of tendrils increases.

Elder Plant: If the plant lives long enough, it can join with others of its kind to create an elder. Their vines intertwine, and they use each other as support to grow much larger.

Clearing the Taint (Skill Challenge)

Level: 15 (6,000 XP)
Complexity: 5 (12 before 3)

Kadralhu’s water is full of spores and other bits of the tainted plants. Unless the water is cleaned, the plants always re-establish themselves, and the madness will, eventually, strike again. As the PCs travel through the city and deal with the malsalix infestation, their actions determine if they eradicate the plant or just buy themselves some time.

Approach 1: Filter the water (max 4 successes).

The waterworks has a series of filters. Excess plant material clogged these filters, and the crash broke a few. Fixed filters help the PCs clear the water.

Primary skills: Arcana, Dungeoneering, Thievery
Arcana (DC 15)—You know the filters use arcane magic to work.
Dungeoneering (DC 22)—You find materials to help fix the filters.
Thievery (DC 22)—You apply the fixes.

Secondary skills: History, Thievery
History (DC 20)—You recall a contraption or story from elsewhere that may help. Gives a +2 bonus to a primary skill.

Approach 2: Defeat mature plants.

Special—Each successful encounter against one or more mature plants counts as 1 success.

Special—The encounter against the elder plant counts as 4 successes. PCs can use the successes from that battle to buy back failures. If they do not defeat the elder plant but are successful in the overall challenge, count it as a failure but with 8 successes, and tell them which faction is planning this.

Special—Deciding to help or ignore certain NPCs of the lost city counts as successes or failures. In particular, see the Waterworks Master and the Kidnapped Artificer sections.

Success: The plant is eradicated from Kadralhu.

Failure: Effect determined by number of successes:
8 or More Successes—A faction recognizes what the PCs are doing and attempts to save part of the plant for re-infection in 1d4+12 months.
6–8 Successes—A plant is successful at leaving its spores behind. Re-infection will occur in 1d4+6 months.
Less than 6 Successes—Some of the plants find a crevice to hide in and will re-infect the city in 1d4 months.

Trying again: If they try again after re-infection, they keep half of their previous successes as a starting point.

Additional Uses

Skilled artificers and arcane casters use the malsalix plant to craft certain magical items. Two of the best known are paralyzing nets and memory pots.

Paralyzing Nets

Woven from malsalix vines, these nets both immobilize their victims and remove the ability to think clearly.

Level: 16 (+4)
Price: 45,000 gp
Weapon: Any
Enhancement: Attack rolls and damage rolls
Critical: +1d6 damage per plus

Property: On a hit, the target is immobilized (save ends).

Power (Encounter): While entangled in the net, the creature cannot use any powers other than basic attacks.

Memory Pots

These ordinary-looking clay pots hide malsalix slime, allowing the user to steal powers from afar.

Level: 14 (+3)
Price: 800 gp
Alchemical Item

Property: The user of a memory pot must first create a psychic connection with the pot, requiring 5 minutes, and can be connected to only one pot at a time.

Power (Consumable): Standard Action. Make an attack: Ranged 5/10; Targets one creature; +17 vs. Will; on a hit, steal one power from the creature. Determine the highest level of power that may be stolen using the attack die roll and these guidelines:
Natural 2–14—At-will power.
Natural 15–19—Encounter power.
Natural 20—Daily power.

You gain the stolen power and use it with the statistics for the power from the originating creature. After an extended rest, the ability returns to the originating creature. Miss—Area burst 1, centered on the creature; +17 vs. Reflex; on a hit, the target…

Find your way to The Lost City of Kadralhu today by becoming a patron—and perhaps a playtester as well!

The patrons and designers have completed the first drafts of the The Lost City of Kadralhu patronage project, and now is a great time to jump on if you’re curious but haven’t yet signed up. This week, we present pages from Logan Bonner, Michael Furlanetto, Tracy Hurley, and Quinn Murphy.

We tried to choose sections that were as spoiler-free as possible, but if you’re planning to play this adventure, you should probably not peek.

Tomorrow, we’ll show you the section about the tainted plant Malsalix. Now, though, we present themes for the new oklu race.

[previously]

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Oklu all fit different roles as dictated by their caste. Within each caste are different groups, each with their own specific function and duties. To create oklu with various roles within each caste, use the appropriate statblock and then replace the default imprint ability with the desired power from this list…

Salaa

The salaa caste is charged with defending society from without and within. Hunters are trained to forage and kill animals for the settlement. Assassins quietly dispatch unruly oma who make trouble. Last are soldiers, who police and defend the oklu communities.

Soldier, Tre-Salaa: Tre-salaa defend oklu to the limit of their ability. Even if defense takes the tre-salaa’s life, it is seen as a worthwhile sacrifice. The soldiers of oklu society also use their strength of arms to enforce laws and maintain peace when no external enemies threaten the settlement.

Tre-salaa use the statblock for kagash on page XX. Typical tre-salaa hues are earthen reds and brown. Typical tre-salaa names: Sonus, Jollu, Gafto, Rutte, Kade, Genna.

TRE-SALAA IMPRINTS
[M] Imprint of Aggression (weapon) • At-Will
Trigger—A creature adjacent to the soldier hits with an attack.
Attack (Immediate Interrupt)—Melee 1 (the triggering creature); +15 vs. AC.
Hit—2d8+6 damage.

Imprint of Preservation • At-Will
Trigger—An ally adjacent to the soldier is hit with an attack.
Effect (Immediate Interrupt)—The attack is resolved against the soldier instead.

Hunter, Gra-Salaa: Gra-salaa have the most dangerous position in oklu society. Hunters must confront the brutal, unpredictable world outside the northern and western walls in search of food for the settlement. The danger they confront dwindles their numbers each day, until few remain.

However, those few are hardened and deadly. The skill these oklu use every day to survive is overwhelming and fatal to their enemies.

Gra-salaa use the assassin statblock on page XX. A gra-salaa’s hue is gray stone. Standard gra-salaa names: Hefad, Jaree, Thena, Awa, Zani, Yiir.

GRA-SALAA IMPRINTS
[M] Imprint of Precision • At-Will
Trigger—An enemy or ally within 10 squares gains a bonus to an attack roll.
Effect (Immediate Reaction)—The hunter gains a +2 power bonus to attack rolls until the end of its next turn.

[M] Imprint of the Predator • At-Will
Trigger—A creature within 10 squares scores a critical hit.
Effect (Immediate Reaction)—Until the end of its next turn, the hunter’ next hit is an automatic critical hit.

Assassin, Que-salaa: Fewer in number than even the gra-salaa, the assassins of the oklu possess lethal arts and knowledge that place them outside normal oklu society.

There is very little for que-salaa to do unless some outsider has trespassed against the oklu. Otherwise, they typically are left to practice in their quarters. When time does come to use their services, however, it is impossible to turn them away from the target.

Que-salaa use the assassin statblock on page XX. Que-salaa skin is black, but few see this outside of the assassin’s training site. Assassins frequently take the color of another role within oklu society. Standard que-salaa names: Iden, Muden, Mudon, Tiden, Wedon, Loden.

QUE-SALAA IMPRINTS
[M] Imprint of Travel (teleportation) • At-Will
Trigger—An enemy within 10 squares of the assassin shifts multiple squares, charges, runs, or teleports.
Effect (Immediate Reaction)—The assassin shifts an equal number of squares.

[M] Imprint of Pain (necrotic) • At-Will
Trigger—An enemy within 10 squares of the assassin is bloodied.
Effect (Immediate Reaction)—The assassin makes a basic attack against a valid target.

[M] Imprint of Shadows • At-Will
Trigger—An enemy within 10 squares of the assassin gains concealment from the assassin or an ally of the assassin.
Effect (Immediate Reactions)—The assassin gains concealment against all enemies until the end of its next turn.

Iness

Oklu within the iness caste form the backbone of the society in Kadralhu. The iness include the laborers (known as burdens), craftsmen, and merchants in oklu society. Iness use the burden statblock on page XX.

Burden, So-Iness: Seeing to repairs and physical labor required in Kadralhu are the so-iness, the “burdens” and laborers. With bigger frames than typical oklu, burdens are well adapted for the strenuous labor each day brings. There is too much work for the burdens to ever keep up with, which means the city is deteriorating at a pace just beyond the oklu ability to repair it.

Over time, this puts the viability of oklu existence into question, but to burdens, it matters not at all: they labor tirelessly regardless. So-iness skin is dark green. Typical so-iness names: Gremma, Jobi, Femma, Bodi, Mysh, Rodi.

SO-INESS IMPRINTS
Imprint of Endurance • Encounter
Trigger—A creature within 10 squares is healed.
Effect (Immediate Interrupt)—The burden gains temporary hit points equal to half its bloodied valued.

Imprint of Power • At-Will
Trigger—A creature within 10 squares makes a successful saving throw.
Effect (Immediate Reaction)—The burden can make an immediate saving throw.

Craftman, Ku-Iness: The burdens are the backs and legs of the oklu, and the ku-iness are the hands, working skillfully at forges or weaving fabrics. The many trades passed down and imprinted on these oklu keep them occupied through the majority of their days. Oklu use no currency, so they often trade products of their craft for other needed services or donate them for the common good. The ku-iness that the raw resources the burdens extract and put them to use by other oklu. The Ku-Iness hue is sea green.

KU-INESS IMPRINTS
Imprint of Skill
Trigger—An enemy within 10 squares of the craftsman makes a successful skill check.
Effect (Immediate Reaction)—The craftsman gains a +2 to all defenses until the end of its next turn.

Imprint of Talent
Trigger—an enemy within 10 squares uses an ability that is an encounter, daily, or has a recharge.
Effect (Immediate Reaction)—The craftsman gains a +4 power bonus to damage on its next attack until the end of its next turn.

Lothaa

Teachers, scholars, scientists, and advisors of the oklu people, the lothaa caste is devoted at once to the preservation of traditions and to the discovery of new information. It is with this group that any progress can be hoped for as scientists and sages explore and experiment, bringing new knowledge and information to the oklu communities. Those lothaa devoted to science in particular are devoted to progress and evolution of the oklu.

There are no sub-factions of lothaa; each member of this caste is responsible for learning and teaching multiple subject matters, so a lothaa’s role is more a matter of the individual’s abilities and knowledge. Lothaa skin is various shades of blue, adorned with sigils that represent the knowledge that oklu has mastered. Common lothaa names: Hivo, Thiir, Yoki, Goyu, Riyo, Cintu.

LOTHAA IMPRINTS
Sorcerous Imprint • Recharge 5
Trigger—The maester hits an enemy.
Effect (Immediate Reaction)—Deal 2d6 extra damage of a type dealt by the last creature who hit with an attack.

Imprint of Progress • Encounter
Trigger—An ally within 10 squares hits an enemy
Effect (Immediate Reaction)—The maester gains a +2 power bonus to attacks until the end of its next turn.

Find your way to The Lost City of Kadralhu today by becoming a patron—and perhaps a playtester as well!

The patrons and designers have completed the first drafts of the The Lost City of Kadralhu patronage project, and now is a great time to jump on if you’re curious but haven’t yet signed up. This week, we continue to present pages from Logan Bonner, Michael Furlanetto, Tracy Hurley, and Quinn Murphy.

We tried to choose sections that were as spoiler-free as possible, but if you’re planning to play this adventure, you should probably not peek.

Later this week, we’ll show you themes for the new oklu race and the section about the tainted plant Malsalix. Now, though, we present the trignotarbs.

[previously]

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Long thought extinct by even the eldest eladrin sages, trignotarbs are queer amalgams of parasitic wasps and webless spiders. They embed their larvae in living hosts, who are drained of both knowledge and life by the insectile parasites. The larvae then molt into gardeners, hunters, and savants with the most powerful eventually attaining the rank of queen. Other castes may exist yet unknown to scholars…

Trignotarb Larval Myriad (Level 16 Minion Lurker)

Thousands of larvae lurk on every trignotarb, and they even haunt the ground on which trignotarbs have perished. The larvae hunt for living creatures, sapping their prey of life as they burrow. Once the prey is weak enough, the trignotarb takes over its mind.

Medium natural beast (swarm); XP 350
Initiative +20; Perception +12; darkvision

HP 1; a missed attack never damages a minion
AC 29, Fortitude 29, Reflex 27, Will 26
Speed 0
Immune disease; Resist 5 all, half damage from melee and ranged attacks

TRAITS
Parasitic Possession • Aura 1
Attack—+19 vs. Fortitude.
Hit—The target loses one healing surge. If it has no healing surges remaining, it is dominated by the larva.

Alignment unaligned; Languages —
Str 15 (+10)         Dex 27 (+16)       Wis 18 (+12)
Con 15 (+10)       Int 18 (+12)         Cha 21 (+13)

Larvally Controlled Creatures

A creature that falls victim to a trignotarb larva spends its first day dominated. Next, it progresses to the recently infected stage. Add the following trait to its statblock.

Recently Infected

TRAITS
Emergence from the Swarm
The larvally controlled creature gains a +1 on all attacks for every other larvally controlled creature within 5 squares of it.

Alignment unaligned; Languages Trignotarb

After 1 week, the larva within a recently infected creature progresses to the nearly mature stage. Replace the appropriate elements of the host creature’s statblock with the following. Retain two powers—one of which should be an at-will power—using the original damage and effects. Remove the other powers and traits.

Nearly Mature

Minion

HP 1; a missed attack never damages a minion
Immune disease; Resist 5 all
Action Points none

TRAITS
Emergence from the Swarm
The larvally controlled creature gains a +1 on all attacks for every other larvally controlled creature within 5 squares of it.

Alignment unaligned; Languages Trignotarb

Find your way to The Lost City of Kadralhu today by becoming a patron—and perhaps a playtester as well!

The patrons and designers have completed the first drafts of the The Lost City of Kadralhu patronage project, and now is a great time to jump on if you’re curious but haven’t yet signed up. Today and next week, we present a few pages from Logan Bonner, Michael Furlanetto, Tracy Hurley, and Quinn Murphy. (Our fifth author, Jobe Bittman, just has too many spoilers in his section. Can’t give it all away!)

We tried to choose sections that were as spoiler-free as possible, but if you’re planning on playing this adventure, you should probably not peek.

Next week, we’ll show you the  trignotarb monster entry, themes for the new oklu race, and the section about the tainted plant Malsalix. Now, though, we present part of the location entry for the Forbidden Archive.

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Beneath the Corpse Commons lies a strange combination of library, laboratory, and former chapels. Guarded by a deadly trap and imprisoned adversaries of the giants, the Forbidden Archive doesn’t give up its treasures easily…

Doors: Except for the burned-down wooden doors off the record rooms, all the doors are stone slabs. The imprisoned kings cannot open these doors but can pass through them once they’re open. Only the door between areas 6 and 7 is locked (requiring a DC 22 Thievery check to open).

Ceilings: The ceilings here are 15 ft. high in most areas but 20 ft. high in area 1.

Braziers: Everburning braziers, filled with eternal fire from the Elemental Realms, light the archive, filling it with bright light. The braziers in all areas except area 1 have mirrors behind them to reflect their light over the whole room. No braziers light up area 2, although dim light filters in from area 1.

1. Entryway

The magic circle in the center of this room serves as a teleportation circle if the adventurers activate the triggers in the three chapels. The sections have symbols: an altar (northwest), a dragon wing (east), and a map (southwest). As the adventurers activate the sigils, the corresponding sections of the magic circle glow. A character who steps into the teleportation circle when it’s active teleports to area 9, the Sanctuary of Sohm Parahni.

When the adventurers enter the room, they alert the King of Avarosh, and he rushes from Area 2 to do battle with them. (See the King of Avarosh Encounter on page XX.)

2. Record Rooms

All the bound books of records and their wooden shelves have been reduced to ash and charcoal. The King of Avarosh ventured into the record room when left unattended after the death of the giants, struggling against his elemental blood to erase the history of those he hates.

Two shattered glass jars lie near the door of the central room, their wooden stands burnt out from under them. Near each one, a hole no more than 2 inches across pierces the stone floor. The holes resemble a burrow and seems to go down endlessly. A metal plate still attached to the remnants of one stand reads:

TRIGNOTARB
Wonder of Peikadda
A great insect queen births larva that, when introduced to hosts, take their minds from them. For the glory of Kadralhu, we submit these specimens to the Archive.

—Kadralhu Naturalist Guild

3. Study

The wooden tables here are piled with tomes. The ghost giant Andasta had been desperately working on a way to purify the tainted water and end the madness that had overtaken her people. When the adventurers arrive, they’re attacked by the remaining two kings imprisoned in the archive (see Encounter C1: The Two Kings on page XX).

These books might be useful if the adventurers can prevent them from being destroyed during the battle. An adventurer who rescues books might collect one or both of the significant works listed here. Other rescued books might contain a few alchemical formulas or rituals. All the books are written in Giant.

The Waterworks of Kadralhu: This tome describes the basic structure of the sewers and pipes that lead to and from the waterworks (see page XX). Curiously, major portions of the map (such as the location of the vault) were left blank and not addressed in the text. The maps are incredibly inaccurate due to the fall, but adventurers can discern the general direction of places.

Symbology of Kaima: The iconography of the goddess Kaima is described in great detail in this academic work. It’s unconcerned with the facts about the goddess but details how her symbols come in threes—representing life, death, and a third state comparable to hibernation following death. The blood of the goddess was another potent symbol, and flowing water was frequently used as an analog.

The text was fairly recent when Kadralhu fell. It mentions that her image was being removed by giants who had returned to worshiping the primordials.

A rune showing an open eye decorates the northern passageway. See the “Eyes of Divination” sidebar for details.

The Eyes of Divination

Each of the doorways between areas 3 and 4 has a rune and corresponding magical effect that activates only if a creature travels through in a specific direction. A rune of an open eye faces the study above the northern pathway. If a creature moves through that passage from west to east, the scrying…

Find your way to The Lost City of Kadralhu today by becoming a patron—and perhaps a playtester as well!

Welcome to the Dark Deeds in Freeport patronage project!

Swagfest begins tomorrow!

Excitement is running high for this year’s Swagfest. After a decade filled with war and fell deeds, normalcy has returned. Bribery, corruption, hidden agendas, shady deals… Freeport is once more herself. All can enjoy this year’s Swagfest secure in the knowledge that silver skulls and gold lords are there for the taking by those with the nimblest fingers or quickest knives.

The Harbor Report

The Unrepentant docked last night. Typically laden with enough booty to make the Sea Lord herself green with envy, dockworkers confirm this voyage was no exception. The Bloodsalter savages the Unrepentant calls its crew spirited the cargo away from the docks under the cover of midnight mist. Its destination remains just as much a mystery as the origin of Captain Sarangay—the minotaur captain and owner of the Unrepentant—who seems to have sailed fully formed from the sea. Each haul he brings in is bigger and more valuable than the last…

The Crimson Cutlass, one of Jacob Lydon’s own ships, arrived yesterday evening to finish its season of raiding. By the looks of it, it was a good one. Silks, dyes, and wine taken from some of Kizmir’s finest merchants…

Captain Zotai Sarangay

Captain Sarangay is anything but a typical minotaur. Intelligent and charming, he wears clothing—typically blue linen pants, tucked into high black leather boots, and a loose white linen shirt. His leather harness keeps his trademark pair of magical axes strapped across his massive back. He is especially persuasive to non-humans and almost exclusively employs them as his crew.

Much to the consternation of the decent folk of Freeport, Sarangay shares prizes generously with the crew and officers, permitting his officers to afford some luxuries typically denied to Bloodsalt denizens. While this has created enemies among some elements in Freeport, few are bold enough to challenge his axes, and fewer still get the opportunity. When the Unrepentant is berthed in Freeport, Sarangay is aboard, leaving only in the company of his two ogre bodyguards.

Captain Sarangay’s background—before he arrived on the Unrepentant as fourth mate just 2 years ago—is a mystery. If his crew knows anything, they aren’t talking, even when bribed and drunk.

Captain Zotai Sarangay (CR 11)

XP 12,800
Male minotaur corsair 7 (F)
LE Large monstrous humanoid
Int +4; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +11

DEFENSE
AC 16, touch 11, flat-footed 16 (+2 dodge, +5 natural, −1 size); canny defense, uncanny dodge
hp 97 (6d10+12 + 7d10+14)
Fort +11, Ref+10, Will +8
Defensive Abilities natural cunning

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee +2 tempest greataxe +19/14/9 (3d6+6/x3), +1 windblast greataxe +18/13/8 (3d6+6/x3), and gore +11 (1d6+2)
Space 10 ft.;  Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks corsair’s luck(F) 2/day (+3), dirty fighting(F) +2d4, powerful charge (gore +18, 2d8+6)

STATISTICS
Str 19, Dex 10, Con 15, Int 15, Wis 13, Cha 14
Base Atk +13; CMB +18; CMD 28
Feats Athletic, Brilliant Tactician(F), Cleave, Combat Expertise, Great Fortitude, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Initiative, Overpowering Attack(F), Power Attack, Rope Monkey(F), Sea Legs(F)
Skills Climb +10, Intimidate +11, Perception +17, Sailor +8, Stealth +8, Survival +16, Swim +10; Racial Modifiers +4 Perception, +4 Survival
Languages Common, Giant, Goblin, Naval Code, Orc, Semaphore
Combat Gear +2 tempest greataxe, +1 windblast greataxe

(F) See the Pathfinder Freeport Companion for details.

SPECIAL ABILITIES
Canny Defense (Ex) Sarangay adds his Charisma bonus as a dodge bonus to his AC, retaining this bonus even when flat-footed. He loses this bonus if he wears medium or heavy armor or carries a heavy load.

Corsair’s Luck (Ex) Sarangay adds 1/2 his class level as an insight bonus to any attack roll, ability, skill check, or saving throw. He need not declare this ability prior to the roll but must declare before knowing the success or failure of the roll.

Dirty Fighting (Ex) Sarangay’s attacks deal +2d4 extra damage any time his target is denied a Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has a Dexterity bonus or not) or when he flanks his target. If he scores a critical hit with dirty fighting, this extra damage is not multiplied. Ranged attacks count as dirty fighting only within 30 ft.

With a sap (blackjack) or an unarmed strike, Sarangay can use dirty fighting to deal nonlethal damage instead of lethal damage. He can use any weapon to deal nonlethal damage with dirty fighting by taking a −4 penalty to the attack roll.

Sarangay must see his target well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to reach such a spot. He cannot use dirty fighting while striking a concealed creature or striking the limbs of a creature whose vitals are beyond reach.

Extra damage from dirty fighting stacks with similar types of extra damage including sneak attack damage.

Natural Cunning (Ex) Although minotaurs are not especially intelligent, they possess innate cunning and logical ability. This gives them immunity to maze spells and prevents them from ever becoming lost. Further, they are never caught flat-footed.

New Magic Weapon Special Abilities

Tempest: Life at sea is a constant struggle with water: navigating its vastness, struggling with its temperament, preventing flooding. Captains fear tempest weapons as much as savage storms.

On a critical hit, a storm cloud forms above the target. It follows the target, even underground and below deck, dumping 16 gallons of rain water every round. Cargo ships can withstand this much water for hours or even a few days, but few captains risk their ship for one crewman. The cloud is permanent and can only be removed by a remove curse.

As a magic weapon that bestows a curse, a tempest weapon shows signs of its debilitating ability. Metal weapons rust, wooden weapons are moist to the touch, and ranged weapons leave a mist tail.

Moderate evocation; CL 8th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, bestow curse, create water; Price +2 bonus.

Windblast: A windblast weapon swings with the gales of a squall, and a concentrated tornado engulfs it with a command. On a critical hit, you push the target back 1d6x5 ft.

Moderate evocation; CL 7th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, gust of wind; Price +1 bonus.

Want to leave your own mark on Freeport?  Become a patron of Dark Deeds in Freeport and join us in the City of Adventure!

(This post is Product Identity.)

No need to punish us with a trick, Charles—here, for your pleasure, is a potent new feat called Familiar Concentration…

Familiar Concentration

Your familiar can concentrate on spells for you.

Prerequisite: Class ability granting a familiar

Benefit: When you cast a spell that normally requires your concentration to maintain, you can let your familiar do the concentrating for you if it is within 5 ft. of you at the time of casting. Your familiar must remain within 5 ft. of you while concentrating to maintain your spell; otherwise, your familiar’s concentration is automatically broken. To maintain a spell, the familiar must have an Intelligence score of 5 + the level of the spell or higher.  The familiar may only concentrate on one spell at a time.

Commentary—This is a potentially powerful use for a familiar in combat, but it can also draw the attention of your enemies to the familiar, so it is not without its risks.

From now on, when we announce a new Advanced Feats book, we’ll be sure to provide a tasty sample. Enjoy! Just don’t spoil your dinner.

Like the scoundrels in those dark alleyways, Zobeck’s stories are gore spattered, flush with the blood, loot, and secrets of the Clockwork City’s citizens. What kind of secrets? What might you find? Can we interest you in this fine cloak? We’d try it ourselves, but we’re late to meet a Kariv river boat captain…

Cloak of the Inconspicuous

Aura moderate abjuration and enchantment; CL 10th
Slot cloak; Price 15,000 gp; Weight 3 lb.

DESCRIPTION
Spun from simple grey wool and closed with a plain, triangular copper clasp, this cloak may be activated 1/day with a command word as an immediate action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. For the next 5 minutes, the wearer becomes completely unmemorable…

People cannot remember what the wearer looks or sounds like (Intelligence DC 16). Witnesses know someone was there and any actions made, but they can only describe the wearer in the most general terms—“an androgynous person, of average height, dressed like everyone else.” For every 2 points that the Intelligence check exceeds the DC, witnesses may recall a detail, such as race, gender, facial features, clothing, tone of voice, or other distinguishing features. For example, a check of 23 would permit a witness to remember 4 details.

True seeing pierces this effect. Creatures with blindsight are unaffected by this item.

CONSTRUCTION
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, modify memory, nondetection; Cost 7,500 gp

On the Streets

(Illustration by Jeff McFarland)

Did this little bauble pique your interest? We’ve more like it behind the bar of the Wheatsheaf—pay no mind to the tieflings. Remember, what happens on the Streets of Zobeck stays on the Streets of Zobeck—come join us and add your story to the tavern rumors…

Oh him? He’s here for the whiskey… just ask him. Goes by the name, Pett… Richard Pett.

What brings you back to Open Design, Mr. Pett?

RP: The combination of mean streets, shady locations, and double dealings is irresistible to me. I’ve been lucky enough to lead people to a few dark and sinister places over the years: the Styes, Carrion Hill, and the theatres of Westcrown to name a few. Now I can’t wait to wander the desolate alleys of Zobeck.

What will you be designing for Streets of Zobeck?

I hope I can deliver a little of the dark humor of Lankhmar, an unspeakable fungal thing from Ambergris, and a broken promise from the streets of New Crobuzon from my love of those places into Zobeck, leaving a permanent stain on the Free City.

What makes Open Design appealing to a designer?

So why do I find working in Open Design so nerve-wracking, merciless, and great? The best adventure wins. It makes you a better writer because you work with different people who have different takes on adventures. We make adventures together, and that is brilliant and unique.

Richard Pett is among the most notoriously twisted minds in the field of RPG design. His “Styes” adventures in Dungeon #112 & #138 remain two of the most highly rated of the 3.5E era. He continued his macabre and sinister adventure writing in the Pathfinder Chronicles Campaign Setting with the gruesome Skinsaw Murders and the Lovecraftian Carrion Hill. He is the author of an unpublished novel entitled Empire for which he currently seeks an agent. Pett lives in England where he constantly works to get Nicolas Logue deported.