RPG: Random Fantasy Books

RPG: Random Fantasy Books

Here’s a list of 30 books that can be added randomly to a treasure horde, found in a library, looted, etc. Some of the books will give a skill bonus if they’ve been studied long enough, length of time to study determined by GM and number of levels the character already has in that skill.

Book #20 is a special item, it gives information about the Wand of Belfal, which was created by the Wizard Belfal of the Shining Sands to destroy the Lich Sidifi. (a recurring NPC in one of my campaigns.)

1-Unexpected Similarities in the Sensory Systems of the Ogre and the Pegasus
• This book is reasonably easy to understand. Perusing it will show that it has no useful information. Though flawed, one can definitely see that the ideas within are very insightful.

2-Examining the Military History of the Dutchies: Knowledge:History +1
• This book is muddled beyond belief due to terrible diagrams. A talented person may be able to derive some understanding from the book and find it is reasonably useful. After a quick examination, one will find that the contents contain some original thought.

3-Peacetime Use of Longswords
• This book is all but impossible to understand mostly due to a complete lack of any kind of useful references. If someone somehow manages to make sense of it, they will find it has little useful information. The suffering reader will discover, with time, that the contents are derivative.

4-The Acolytes of the Awe-Inspiring Fertility Gods
• This book is muddled thanks to the bad illustrations. After some effort to read the book, one can find it has no useful information. To make things worse, one will eventually discover that the contents are derivative.

5-A Criticism of the Frontier’s Minor Inventors: Knowledge: Invention +1
• This book is easily understandable thanks to wonderful organization. It’s easy to determine that it has little useful information. Though flawed, one can definitely see that the ideas within are very insightful.
• Examining the book, one will find: Bookmarks marking pages that seem to have some errors in them. Pieces of paper with notes, in incoherent writing, that comment on errors in the book.

6-The Well-Known Invocation to the Revenge God
• This book is not very clear. After some effort to read the book, one can find it has little useful information. To make things worse, one will eventually discover that that the majority contents were obviously taken from a few other works

7-The All-Knowing Wine Goddess’ Legend
• This book is muddled because of a meandering writing style. With time, intellect, or both, one can make sense of the book, and it will reveal it is extremely informative. Unfortunately, the contents are original.

8-The History of Remedial Magic – Allows first and second level mages to level up without needing a teacher.
• This book is easy to understand because of the well-done illustrations. It’s easy to determine that it is reasonably useful. After a quick examination, one will find that the concepts in the book do show a lot of original thought.

9-The Great Animal Goddess’ Facts
• This book is quite clear thanks to the well-done illustrations. A short look at the book will show that it has a lot useful information. Despite it’s good traits, the contents are not very original.

10-Maintenance of the Sling and Crossbow
• This book is easy to understand. This clarity allows one to determine that it has a lot useful information. Despite its good traits, the contents were probably taken from several works.
• Examining the book, one will find: Folded-down pages marking pages with similar information. Written notes, in an archaic tongue, commenting on informative information in the book. Some document listing supplies in a recognizable, but foreign language can be found in a hidden compartment.

11-The Migration Patterns of Ettins: Current Fallacies
• This book is of above-average clarity. It doesnt take much effort to determine that it is extremely informative. Delighftully, the ideas within are very original.

12-The Book of Magical Art – Mages will be able to cast one (random) spell in their spellbook without need of components, but that spell has a 1% catastrophic failure chance
• This book is reasonably easy to understand thanks to the good diagrams. A small study will show it has little useful information. Though flawed, one can definitely see that the contents contain some original thought.

13-Dissimilarities in the Social Heirarchies of the Roc and the Minotaur
• This book is easy to understand. It doesnt take much effort to determine that it is reasonably useful. Perusing the book reveals that the ideas within make you see things differently.

14-The Social Heirarchies of The Jabberwock
• This book is impressively clear due to wonderful organization. The book’s well-done nature allows one to easily find that it is extremely informative.

15-A Peacetime Comparison of Daggers and Swords. Increases; Profession: Blacksmith by one skill point
• This book is of average clarity despite a meandering writing style. Perusing it will show that it is reasonably useful.

16-Unexpected Similarities in the Digestive System of the Dragon and the Drake
• This book is of average clarity thanks to the excellent, well-planned chapters. With a bit of reading, it will be revealed that it has little useful information. One may be deterred from reading it, but it is evident that the contents have a few areas of deep insight.

17-A Tome of Classic Conjuration – Teaches “Evard’s Black Tentacles” (pg. 228 PHB)
• This book is muddled thanks to a meandering writing style. After some effort to read the book, one can find it has a lot useful information. Unfortunately, the contents show some plagarism.

18-Defending Against of Ancient Illusions – Mages get a permanent +1 bonus for Will Power checks against Illusion spells targeted at themselves.
• This book is clear because of the well-done illustrations. With a bit of reading, it will be revealed that it is reasonably useful. After some reading, it is apparent that that the majority of the contents were obviously taken from someone else’s work

19-The Territory’s Ancient Organizations
• This book is hard to understand. With time, intellect, or both, one can make sense of the book, and it will reveal it has little useful information. The suffering reader will discover, with time, that the contents are original.

20-An Encyclopedia of the Recent Philosophical Wars of the Capitol – has information about the Wand of Belfal: The Wand of Belfal was created by the Wizard Belfal of the Shining Sands to destroy the Lich Sidifi
• This book is impressively clear mostly due to incredibly well-done and helpful illustrations. It’s easy to determine that it is reasonably useful. Perusing the book reveals that the contents are plagiarized.

21-Similarities in the Living Habits of the Phoenix and the Wyvern
• This book is easy to understand mostly due to the good references. It doesnt take much effort to determine that it has a lot useful information. Unfortunately, the contents are less than original.

22-The Domestic Use of Glamours
• This book is of average clarity despite the bad illustrations. Perusing it will show that it has no useful information.

23-The All-Powerful Justice Gods’ Rituals
• This book is all but impossible to understand because of a complete lack of any kind of useful references. If one miraculously managed to understand the book’s contents, that person will find it has a lot useful information. Despite its good traits, the contents are derivative.

24-The Agents of the All-Seeing Mystery God
• This book is muddled because of the poor diagrams. After some effort to read the book, one can find it has little useful information. To make things worse, one will eventually discover that the contents are not very original.

25-Similarities in the Uncommon Areas of Habitation of the Sea Serpent and the Tarasque
• This book is muddled. With effort, one will be able to understand the book, and will find it is extremely informative. Making it even more of a find, the contents have a few areas of deep insight.

26-An Examination of the Wartime Use of Crossbows and Longswords: Blacksmith+1 for those who have 3 or less points
• This book is of average clarity because of the good diagrams. With a bit of reading, it will be revealed that it has little useful information. To make things worse, one will eventually discover that the contents are plagarized.

27-A Study of the Legendary Clerics of the States: Adds Knowledge:Religion +1
• This book is clear despite a meandering writing style. Perusing it will show that it is reasonably useful. Perusing the book reveals that the contents were probably taken from several works.

28-Heretics Against the Fortune Goddess
• This book is muddled. With effort, one will be able to understand the book, and will find it is reasonably useful. After some reading, it is apparent that the contents seem to have been stolen from another work.

29-The Stiletto and Scimtar: An Extensive Legendary History
• This book is easily understandable due to extensive references. This clarity allows one to determine that it is reasonably useful. Perusing the book reveals that the contents are plagarized.

30-The Agriculture God’s Stories
• This book is muddled. With effort, one will be able to understand the book, and will find it is reasonably useful.

RPG: Diadem of Water Elemental Control

RPG: Diadem of Water Elemental Control

The Diadem of Water Elemental Control is only useable by Druids.

Description: A plain gold Diadem with no ornamentation other then a wavy line running the length of the band.

Usage: The wearer can control up to 3+Wisdom bonus (if any) number of Water Elementals at one time.

He can give them all the same command, a successful Will roll must be made to give one a different command then the others unless it is a dismissal command.

Water Elementals must be within line of site for initial commands. They will carry out their last orders though when out of site.

Until issued a command, Water Elementals are free willed and will act and react as normal. Hostile actions towards the Water Elementals before a command is issued, will result in a -3 Penalty to the Will Roll.

NPC: Perfect Tommy (Buckaroo Banzai D20)

NPC: Perfect Tommy (Buckaroo Banzai D20)

Another members of the world famous Hong Kong Cavaliers is Perfect Tommy.

Perfect Tommy

Perfect Tommy’s D20 Modern Character Sheet

Encounter Suggestions:
– Perfect Tommy is just a cover for the real man, one who excels at disguises and misdirection
– Egyptian Police hire the PCs to track down known fugitive “Perfect Tommy”

Description from World Watch Online:

Real name unknown, believed to have met Buckaroo at Phillips Exeter, but may be only self-taught with a grade-school education acquired in the South. Young, handsome, of good family. Vain, pleasure-loving, heartless, sordid, callous and sentimental, he can be brave to excess or cringingly cowardly. An enigma. A chameleon. Changes his mind as fast as he changes his hair color. A product of broken dreams. Told Buckaroo upon his induction to the Hong Kong Cavaliers, “I’m Perfect Tommy. Find Me.” Nicknamed by Buckaroo “Knight of the Lesser Boulevards.” Accepted to a special program at MIT where he could have coordinated material testing in cryogenic propellants to determine compatibility of various chemical gasses and fluids associated with rocket propulsion and laser systems, but a woman and a scandal forced him to leave Cambridge for a time. Went to Egypt and there taught himself the rhythm guitar; was involved in an opium bust for which he received a prison term; escaped and (posing as a Belgian) joined the Foreign Legion. Served in Africa and survived, a better man for it. Has postulated the existence of a new layer of atmosphere between the troposphere and the stratosphere, calling it the flatusphere, an accumulation of methane gas derived from the world’s constant farting and politicians’ bullshit. It was his design for the Jet Car’s suspension that convinced Buckaroo that the promise of the OSCILLATION OVERTHRUSTER might at last be realized.

Equipment:
Pistol:
It appears to be a Heckler and Koch P7M8 Pistol
9mm blowback operated, often referred to as a “squeeze cocker” for the unique safety mechanism.
8 round magazine.
1.75 pounds

Shotgun:
Remington 870 Mark 6.
Foldable stock.
12 gauge, pump action
20 inch barrel, 7.53 pounds
5 round tube magazine

Guitar:
Gretsch Hollow body electric.

NPC: Reno Nevada (Buckaroo Banzai D20)

NPC: Reno Nevada (Buckaroo Banzai D20)

Another of Buckaroo Banzai’s companions is Reno Nevada.

Reno Nevada
Reno is an avid sax player for the Hong Kong Cavaliers

Reno Nevada’s D20 Stats

Encounter Suggestions:
– Usually encountered as a member of Team Banzai or the Hong Kong Cavaliers
– A shipment of Buckaroo Banzai Merchandise has been stolen. Reno needs some help to recover it
– Government Agents are working to revive a top secret program. Unfortunately things go wrong, and the only person who might know how to fix is the mysterious figure Reno Nevada, member of Team Banzai

Description from World Watch OnLine:

Real name unknown, of Latin extraction. Dark, moody, dangerous, although possessing an easy grin and a quirky artistic streak. Fond of bright, flashy colors. Executes bold pencil sketches of Buckaroo and the Cavaliers which he sells to national magazines. The real force behind the many Buckaroo Banzai cottage industries (comic books, male action figures, dime novels, “hanks o’ hair” collectibles). To quote an unnamed source: “slim with small feet and hands. His features are regular and pleasing, and his tiny black mustache (since shaved off) gives him the appearance of a modest bank clerk or accountant, but the eyes strike a jarring discord, their gaze always producing that sudden tightening of the spinal nerves which the unexpected appearance of a deadly reptile causes.” The same report adds, “he has three speeds; gun, knife and rope.” Intensely loyal to Buckaroo. Has played the saxophone since childhood.

(Note: Reno was a member of a Government “Think Tank” when he submitted his application to the Banzai Institute, roughly ten years prior to the adventure chronicled in Across the 8th Dimension. In the adventure “Bastardy Proves A Spur,” Reno and Pecos declare their love for each other and promise to marry.)

Equipment:
Pistol:
The book quotes him as having a “.45 automatic” (pg. 168). This, of course, refers to John Brownings design of the Colt M1911.
A .45 ACP round (830 fps with government hardball)
7 round magazine
2.8 pounds

Rifle:
British Sterling L2 series submachinegun.
9mm parabellum (9×19)… (aka 9mm)
30 round magazine
Full auto

NPC: Rawhide (Buckaroo Banzai Companion)

NPC: Rawhide (Buckaroo Banzai Companion)

Rawhide has known Dr. Buckaroo Banzai longer then any of the other members of Team Banzai.

Rawhide
Rawhide has a variety of skills

Rawhide D20 Modern Character Sheet

Description from World Watch Online:

Real name unknown, of Western United States origin, straight as an arrow, owns no more than he can carry on his horse. Has known Buckaroo longer than any of the others. Believed to have a piece of bottom land in Wyoming, possible dependents, several brothers, one of whom may once have operated on the other side of the law, holds several advanced degrees in psychology, anthropology and entomology that belie his easygoing Zen-like manner. Interests: the human mind, the piano, all life-forms and cultures. Own once-stated belief: “the study of crime is the study of mankind in its truest form.”
The following is adapted from the April 1986 edition of ‘World Watch One’:

“Although in Earl Mac Rauch’s novel The Adventures Of Buckaroo Banzai (written in collaboration with our own Reno) the deaths of our three companions (Rawhide, Sam, and McIlvaine) are confirmed, in truth it was a necessary ruse. When Rawhide and the others were felled and John Parker confirmed their wounds mortal, Buckaroo held a hurried conference with New Jersey, then scrambled the Institutes medical team and committed the three seemingly lifeless bodies to the Cryogenic Lab. After the Lectroid crisis had been averted, Buckaroo and New Jersey returned their full attention to the hope of restoring life to our comrades. Fortunately, further consultation with John Parker revealed that he had failed pre-med as well as flight school; Lectroid M.D.s John Kildare and John Eligius were called in, and concerted study resulted in breakthrough research on the physiological differences between human and Lectroid nervous systems. A treatment (the details of which must remain confidential) was formulated and applied, and Rawhide, Sam, and McIlvaine were returned to this world.

Buckaroo and Rawhide then decided to boldly seize this unique opportunity to send the three men, whom the blackhearted Hanoi Xan was unaware still existed, against him. Rawhide led the trio in an assault on the World Crime League’s east coast stronghold and destroyed it, taking many Death Dwarves captive. By the time this mission was completed, however, the novel by E.M.R. had gone to press with the misleading information about our comrades’ demise. We regret the distress we have caused among the ranks of our friends and supporters (Rawhide, in particular, was amazed at the outpouring of public sentiment on his behalf) and hope you will understand that such an opportunity to strike such a blow against the World Crime League could not be allowed to pass.”

Note: Fancies a BBI intern named Big Norse.

Equipment:
Colt New Service