The Ostarian Gardens

These delightful gardens are home to a fellowship of tree elementals, who act as representatives of Ostaria’s ecosystem. They are guardians and inheritors to a consciousness stretching back to the origins of life. Some are so ancient, they don't recollect a time they did not exist. The roots of these trees extend deep, mingling with the roots of all plants throughout the region. The gardens are self-maintaining, the grass grows perfectly even, and everything functions as intended. Gardens such as this can be found throughout Aquilus, each with varieties of plant life reflective of the region in which they’re situated.

What's makes the gardens enigmatic?

• Close observation will reveal the gardens appear to rearrange themselves. They cannot be mapped or remembered. Visitors who return on another occasion will find their recollections of the gardens are useless.
• Fragments of the trees can be used to create +2 wooden weapons such as clubs, spears, and arrows. Visitors will face wrath if attempts to remove any wood. They will be attacked by leeches who attach themselves, draining hit points and possibly levels from everyone, and additionally, magic itself permanently from casters.
• Visitors spending time here discover their deeds — both good and bad — are widely known by the elementals.

What else will visitors find here? (d8):

1. Cave-entrances hidden by illusions which PCs of a lawful alignment can detect. They lead to other places.
2. Tree elementals attempting to make babies.
3. Numerous garden mazes, which are highly complex.
4. A small pool of black water. Visitors looking in will see their reflections showing the deepest darkest evil within each of them. Clerics of lawful alignment feel wrath from their god and must make a WIS check, or lose abilities until they atone.
5. Hundred or thousands of statues, possi- bly petrified by nature or otherworldly powers.
6. Enchanting birds weaving new sections of the gardens.
7. Fruit never falls from trees, but is ripe for picking and eating. Some fruit possesses magical properties, a few varieties are deadly.
8. Anything which dies immediately turns to dust.

20 NPCs for a Weird-Fantasy Setting

Roll (d20):

1. A woman with long silver hair. She seems ageless, and has a face like a perfect mask. Wears a cloak of white feathers, and carries a scepter tipped with a great black pearl.
2. A blind man, with a cane made of human bone. He has no eyes, only pits of darkness in his sockets. He is always surrounded by a cloud of flies.
3. A small child, with matted hair and big eyes. Dressed in filthy rags, and always giggling. Seemingly immune to harm.
4. A great hulking brute of a man, with arms the size of tree trunks. Dressed in a loincloth of animal hide, and tattooed from head to toe with arcane symbols.
5. An elf with golden skin and silver eyes. They always seems to be surrounded by a shimmering aura. Wears diaphanous robes that float in the wind.
6. A small blue-skinned man with a wide head and large eyes. Wears a crown of barbed wire.
7. A beautiful woman with long white hair and perfect features. Her eyes are cold and dead, and her hands are blackened claws.
8. A small, sickly-looking man, with a hunched back and a beard of tangled weeds. Carries a large book bound in human skin.
9. A shimmering, inhuman creature, composed of swirling energy. It cannot be looked at directly, and leaves burning afterimages in the retina.
10. A world-weary woman, with a sharp tongue and a ready knife. She has a kestrel perched on her shoulder, and wears a faded scarf over her hair.
11. A grinning man, always cheerful, no matter the circumstance. He has a wild mane of orange hair, and is never seen without his jester's motley.
12. A taciturn man, with a face like a slab of granite. He has a great axe strapped to his back, and a pet badger that follows him everywhere.
13. A cheerful halfling, with a quick wit and an even quicker temper. He has a penchant for drink and gambling, and is never seen without his lucky hat.
14. A sober dwarf, with a long beard and a serious expression. He is a master craftsman, and always has his hands full with some new project.
15. Enormous, body like a bloated tick. Beady black eyes on a asymmetrical face. A mouth full of fangs, and tech grafted onto its arms.
16. Blue-skinned, and strikingly beautiful. Wears billowing white robes, and has six delicate wings. A necklace of delicate silver vertebrae dangles from her long neck.
17. A tiny figure, barely larger than a child. Dressed in a raggedy patchwork coat. Its eyes are large and black, and seem to stare into your soul.
18. A creature made entirely of clockwork. Cogs and gears whir and click as it moves. It has no face, only a blank metal plate where a head should be.
19. A walking, talking pile of garbage. Clothes made of rags and tatters, face hidden behind a mask of grime and grime. It smells like rotting flesh, and its eyes shimmer with a sickening green light.
20. A being of pure energy. It crackles and pops, and its form is ever-changing. It speaks in a voice that echoes and reverberates, and its eyes are two blinding suns.
    
    

Art by Shusei Nagaoka

30 Artifacts on a Space Station

Roll (d30):

1. Spherical AI core. A violent and vengeful intelligence which was sealed away long ago. If awakened it will try to kill everyone and everything onboard the station.
2. Slim case containing a virulent mutagen. Injecting this into any living creature will cause them to metamorphose into a random animal over the course of 1d4 hours.
3. Neuromancer suite. A full set of tools for hacking and controlling electronic systems. 
4. A vial of telomere-binding enzymes. If injected, extends the human lifespan by 1d20 years.
5. Designer drugs. Gives the user the appearance of a human for 1d10 days.
6. A canister of self-replicating nanobots. Once released they consume all organic matter, excreting a these nanobots will create a perfect copy of the original template within 1d4 days.
7. A small glass orb filled with a swirling black liquid. The liquid is a powerful narcotic which grants the user 1d4 extra Actions on their next turn but permanently reduces their Agility by 1d4 points. 
8. A bottle of pheromones. Makes the user intoxicated, adding +1 to attacks for 1d4 hours. They come down and suffer -1 to attacks for the next 1d4 hours.
9. A data disk containing the plans for a new type of energy weapon. The weapon is highly unstable and has a 5% chance of exploding and doing 2d6 damage to anyone within 10 feet.
10. A set of nano-fabricator blueprints. These allow for the creation of basic items using raw materials. 100mcr.
11. A small box filled with a white powder. The powder is a powerful psychoactive drug which grants the user enhanced intelligence and creativity but permanently reduces STR by 1d4 points.
12. A book containing the secrets of psionics. Allows the user to learn psionic abilities but requires them to make a WIS check every time they use a psionic ability. 
13. AO-93 "Nova" thermal pistol. A powerful energy weapon which fires pulses of superheated plasma. Can punch through bulkheads and hulls. 
14. Bottle of "The Blue. A powerful hallucinogen which causes extreme euphoria and disinhibition. 
15. Monofilament wire. A razor-thin wire which can slice through flesh and metal alike. 
16. Photograph of a planet with three suns. On the back is a single word: "hope".
17. Bag of star-shaped crystals which when thrown into the air turn into a brightly glowing star-shaped airborne fireworks display. The light is so intense it deals 1d10 damage to anyone within 30 feet. 
18. 3d10 vials of a strange purple liquid. Addictive. CON or become addicted. Withdrawal requires a save or die. Those that manage to quit suffer permanent damage to one attribute chosen by the referee.
19. A small statuette of a four armed goddess. Occasionally whispering horrific nothings into the minds of those within 100 feet.
20. A jar of wasps which when opened will sting anyone within 100 feet for 1d4 damage per round until they make a save. 
21. A black handkerchief which when placed over someone's face will immediately suffocate them unless they make a save.
22. A small silver bell which when rung will summon a random demon from the depths of space. The demon will serve the summoner for 24 hours after which it will attempt to kill them.
23. A book with blank pages. when Pages are written in blood the text of the page will appear in the victim's blood written on their flesh in a language they cannot understand. 
24. Job offer from a powerful mega-corp. The terms are very advantageous, but the employer is a fronts for a terrorist organization.
25. Large metal crate, filled with fine sand. The sand is alive, and each grain is a tiny crab-like creature. The creatures will strip metal down to its component atoms if given the opportunity.
26. A fist-sized sphere of metal, which is always cold to the touch. The sphere can absorb and store heat, and can release it at will.
27. A box of fine dust, which glitters in all colors of the rainbow. The dust is alive, and each grain is a tiny creature. The creatures will consume any organic matter they come into contact with.
28. Malignant tumor. If removed from a living creature and manually grown in a lab it will, within 1d4 days, turn into an identical copy of the original creature it was taken from. 
29. Convergence engine design. Creates a temporary stable wormhole. Destroys anything caught within a 5' radius of the event. 
30. Three dimensional printer which can fabricate anything given the appropriate blueprints and raw materials. Capable of fabricating working firearms and explosives.

50 Weird-Fantasy Hex Landmarks

Roll (d50): 

1. A settlement circled by gargantuan winged beasts.
2. Monolithic columns surrounded by fog at the base.
3. A 1000 ft diameter shaft of flame rising into the heavens from an enormous pit.
4. Structures of constantly shifting colors.
5. Dozens of perfectly preserved statues carved from a precious stone, depicting mythic beings.
6. A ziggurat with holy people standing at the top.
7. The bones on an enormous beast, 3d100+300 ft in length.
8. Hundreds of ornate mausoleums of past rulers.
9. A large well, overgrown with brush and filled with waste oils.
10. A carved megalithic block with inscriptions of various laws throughout Aquilus.
11. A settlement filled with houses made from tanned human skins.
12. Several tunnels at the perimeter of a pit, they run deep into the earth. 
13. Fields with corroded metal cylinders on the ground arranged in mathematical patterns.
14. A settlement of houses built on the backs of large creatures. The town is nomadic.
15. Dozens of pits. It is impossible to estimate how deep they are. 
16. Dull-gray rocks with swirling patches of electricity surging through them.
17. A military training base.
18. The ruins of a recently burned settlement lying in ashes.
19. A rotting aqua-duct defaced with holy symbols.
20. A  lush area filled with savage plants and hidden predators.
21. A canyon of breathtaking majesty.
22. Plains of grass with dim dancing lights above.
23. A settled marsh area with stilt houses.
24. Amphitheater of statue shrines, dedicated to gods and heroes.
25. A large grassy field where the grass is perfectly rigid. The grass acts as tiny daggers.
26. A pond of acidic water. The reflections are not what they should be.
27. Secluded homes, dense with an unseen population.
28. A titanic living shadow.
29. Geysers randomly erupt. They cause strange mutations to those caught in them.
30. Mounds of revolting garbage and faeces.
31. The remains of prison, with courthouses, execution facilities and holding cells.
32. A submerged mystical fountain.
33. Large, sensuous flowers of all hues grace a meadows. 
34. The roots of a massive gargantuan dead tree.
35. Several dozen poles mounted with signs, pointing towards various distant lands.
36. Carved trio of protruding faces all looking and pointing the same direction.
37. A small settlement which is a utopia. 
38. A garden infested by deadly plague.
39. Billions spheres of water like a sky ocean flying by and forming patterns.
40. Cracks appear when walking on the ground, but disappear once people have passed.
41. Town where buildings are created from monster bones, scales, and giant insect carapaces. 
42. A glorious estate. Everything is strangely pristine. 
43. Huge cavern system, which is a dead creature's digestive tract.
44. A drifting garden of floating reflective liquid orbs in various sizes.
45. A tower with a large network of tunnels created by the former residents.
46. A tower with a beam of light shooting into the sky, visible both night and day.
47. A huge necropolis with hundreds of tombs and headstones.
48. An area filled with giant footprints, foul smelling contaminated water remains in each one.
49. A pleasure palace. 
50. The collapsed and eroded blocks of an ancient structure concealing the entrance to a vault.

20 Megastructures

Roll (d20):

1. A labyrinth of mazes, reaching deep into the earth. It is said that if you can find your way to the centre, you can have any wish granted.
2. A tower that stretches from the bottom of a very deep pit, all the way to the top of the sky. It is said that if you climb to the top, you will be able to see the future.
3. A vast desert, stretching as far as the eye can see in all directions. In the centre is a small oasis, and it is said that if you drink from the fountain there, you will be able to see the past.
4. A giant clock, perpetually resetting itself to zero. All who look upon it fall into a deep sleep, from which they never wake.
5. An array of enormous mirrors, orbiting the sun, which reflect and magnify its light, making day and night unnaturally bright.
6. A crystal palace, in the middle of a great desert. It is said that if one breaks even the smallest piece of the structure, the entire palace will shatter.
7. A city, contained within a single, enormous glass bottle. The citizens are said to be under a powerful curse, dooming them to live out their lives inside.
8. A staircase, leading up to the sun. Each step is made of a different kind of metal, and no two steps are the same size.
9. A library that contains every book ever written. It's possible to get lost in here for years and never find the same book twice.
10. A cathedral made entirely of glass. The stained glass windows show scenes from other worlds.
11. A vast white city, so beautiful and perfect that it is said to be the work of angels. It has no doors or windows, and no one has ever found a way in.
12. An island that is the home of a giant tree. The tree is so big that its roots form mountains, and its branches provide shelter for an entire city.
13. A tree, as big as a mountain, with a trunk made of stone and leaves of metal. It is said to be the first tree, and the source of all metal in the world.
14. A palace, made of a crystal so clear it is almost invisible, that contains the throne room of the queen of the fairies.
15. A black pyramid, miles on a side, built on the edge of the world. It grows larger every day, threatening to consume the world.
16. A thin metal rod, a million miles long, that stands upright. At the top is a small platform where a single person can stand.
17. A transparent orb the size of a small planet. It is completely empty inside.
18. A lattice of powerful magical crystals, embedded in the rocks of a mountain. The mountain is slowly growing as the crystals absorb magical energy from the surrounding area.
19. A flat mirrored plain, a thousand miles across, and perfectly flat. Thought to be created by god, so they could see their reflection.
20. A city build on the back of a giant turtle, that slowly swims through the planes, stopping at other cities to trade.
    
    

Art by Neil Blevins

Weird Ideas for Character Backgrounds II

See Part I here.


Roll (d30):

1. Plague Brother/Sister

Possessions: Contagion bombs, black clothing, rusty knife.

You have been infected with a deadly disease, and use their own contagion to spread death and destruction.


2. The Reclaimer
Possessions: Odd clothing, ancient artifacts, ruined technology.

You scour the ruins of the old world, looking for lost technology and artifacts. You are motivated by a desire to bring back the lost knowledge of the past and restore the world to its former glory. You are skilled in using ancient weapons and devices, and are often able to find ways to make them work again.


3. Siren of the Spacelanes

Possessions: Vacc suit, handheld transmitter.

Your voice has always been your greatest asset and you've used it to great effect, deceiving and manipulating your way through life. But now, in the cold vacuum of space, your voice is your only weapon. You lure spaceships to their doom with your beautiful singing, beckoning them to their doom.


4. The Psychonaut

Possessions: Psionic amplifier, astral projector.

You're a mind-walker, a traveler of the astral plane. You've seen things that would drive lesser beings mad, and learned secrets that would make the universe tremble. You're on a quest to discover the ultimate secret, the key to unlocking the mysteries of existence.


5. The Doppelganger

Possessions: None.
You were born with a twin, but they were stillborn. Or so you were told. But you've always had the sense that they're out there somewhere, watching you, waiting for their chance to take your place. Now you're on a quest to find them, and put an end to their usurpation.


6. The Accidental Necromancer

Possessions: a pendant that allows you to control the undead, a black cape.
You didn't mean to raise the dead, it just sort of...happened. Now you can't get rid of them and they're starting to get restless.

7. Ravenous Flesh-Eater
Possessions: tattered clothing, teeth sharpened to points.
You were once human, or perhaps some other intelligent race, but now you are little more than a walking stomach. Your insatiable hunger has driven you to consume not only regular food, but also the flesh of other creatures – living or dead.

Special: You can consume almost any kind of organic matter, including rotting flesh. You heal quickly, and gain strength from consuming flesh.

8. Amnesiac Warlock
Possessions: Black robes, a staff.
You woke up one day with no memories of who you are or where you came from. The only thing you know is that you have strange and powerful magical abilities.

Special: You can cast any spell, but you do not know the names or effects of the spells you cast.

9. Hungry Ghost

Possessions: White robes, a bowl.

You are the spirit of someone who died in a state of extreme hunger. Now you wander the world, searching for food. You can possess the bodies of others and use their bodies to satisfy your hunger, but the hunger is never truly sated.

9. The Tinkerer

Possessions: Tools, gadgets, a box of spare parts.

You're a born tinkerer, always taking things apart and putting them back together again. You're fascinated by the workings of machines and devices, and have a knack for making them work better. Now you've turned your attention to the machines of war, and you're determined to make them the most efficient killing machines possible.

10. The Skin-Stealer

Possessions: A sack of stolen skin, a knife.

You have a rather unusual hobby – collecting the skin of other creatures. You strip the skin from their bodies while they're still alive, and wear it as your own. You're fascinated by the feel of different textures and the way they change your appearance.

Special: You can wear the skin of any creature, and gain some of their physical characteristics.

11. The Witch of the Woods

Possessions: A staff, a cauldron, a black cat.

You're a reclusive witch, living in the forest away from the prying eyes of the outside world. You prefer the company of animals to people, and have a special affinity for cats. You use your magic to protect the forest and its inhabitants.

12. The Half-breed

Possessions: Tattered clothes, a knife.

You're the product of a union between two different races, and neither side accepts you. You've always felt like an outsider, and have had to fend for yourself. You're a survivor, and have learned to use your racial abilities to your advantage.

13. The Experiment

Possessions: Strange equipment, a labcoat.

You're not quite sure why you're here, or what they're doing to you. You only know that you're a test subject in some sort of experiment. You have strange abilities that you don't fully understand, and are being made to do things that you don't want to do.

21. The Demon of Gluttony

Possessions: A bottomless appetite, a body that is never satiated.

You are a demon, a creature of gluttony and excess. You live to consume, to devour. You are never satisfied, no matter how much you eat. Your appetite is insatiable, your hunger never-ending. You are a blight on the world, a cancer that must be destroyed.

22. The Child of the Void

Possessions: Nothing, because you have nothing.

You are a creature of the Void, a being of nothingness. You have no home, no family, no possessions. You are alone in the universe, and you always will be. You wander the spheres, searching for a place to belong, but you will never find one. You are condemned to a life of solitude, of isolation.

23. The Pariah

Possessions: The looks of disgust and pity, a life of solitude.

You are an outcast, a social pariah. You’ve been cast out of every community you’ve ever tried to join, and you’ve given up trying to find a place to belong. You’ve resigned yourself to a life of solitude, of isolation. But you can’t help but wonder, what did you do to deserve this?

24. The Scapegoat

Possessions: The weight of the world on your shoulders, a life of misery.

You are the one who takes the blame for everything. You are the one who is sacrificed for the greater good. You are the one who suffers so that others may not have to. You’ve always known your place in the world, and you’ve never questioned it. But you can’t help but wonder, is this really all there is?

25. The Heretic

Possessions: A life of hiding, a life of fear.

You’ve questioned the gods, and you’ve paid the price. You’ve been hunted by those who claim to be righteous, and you’ve been cast out by those who claim to be good. You’ve been branded a heretic, and you’ve learned to live in hiding. You’ve learned to live in fear. But you refuse to give up, and you refuse to give in.

26. The Apostate

Possessions: A life among the damned, a life of sin.

You have turned your back on the gods, and now you wander the planes as a damned soul. You have embraced sin, and you have reveled in it. You are a creature of vice and indulgence, and you will not be denied. You are among the damned, but you would not have it any other way.

27. The Prodigal
Possessions: A life of luxury, a life of ease.
You’ve been given everything, and you’ve squandered it all. You’ve lived a life of luxury and ease, and you’ve never had to want for anything. But it’s all been a facade, a carefully constructed illusion. The truth is, you’re a fraud, a charlatan. And one day, your lies will be exposed.

28. The Exile
Possessions: A life of wander, a life of hardship.
You’ve been cast out of your home, and now you wander the planes as an exile. You’ve known hardship and pain, but you’ve also known the joy of freedom. You are a wanderer, a nomad, a drifter. And you would not have it any other way.

29. The Nomad
Possessions: A life of wander, a life of curiosity.
You’ve never stayed in one place for long, and you’ve never been content to stay in one place for long. You’re a wanderer, a nomad, a drifter. You’re always moving, always searching for something new. You’re driven by a curiosity that can never be quelled. And you wouldn’t have it any other way.


30. The Wanderer
Possessions: A life of wander, a life of loneliness.
You’ve always been a wanderer, and you’ve always been alone. You’ve never stayed in one place for long, and you’ve never been content to stay in one place for long. You’re always moving, always searching for something new. But you’ve never found what you’re looking for. And you’re not sure if you ever will.

60 Weird-Fantasy Landmarks

Roll (d60):

1. A forgotten library, crammed to the ceiling with ancient tomes.
2. A circular structure with a hole in the center, leading down into the darkness.
3. A field of petrified trees, each one different in shape and size.
4. A deep chasm with lava at the bottom, miles wide.
5. A crevice that constantly emits a loud, otherworldly wailing.
6. A brightly glowing orb, levitating in midair.
7. A shimmering curtain that hangs in the air, obscuring anything behind it.
8. A pedestal with a glowing crystal on top, emanating heat.
9. A plant that appears to be made of metal, growing in a very unorthodox manner.
10. A stone statue that moves and speaks, despite being clearly inanimate.
11. A temple to an unknown deity.
12. A marketplace where the vendors offer only services, not goods.
13. A menagerie of exotic beasts, caged and on display.
14. A building which is half submerged in a lake.
15. A collection of ancient ruins, overgrown with vines and foliage.
16. A deep chasm with a river of lava running through it.
17. A forest of giant mushrooms, some taller than trees.
18. A bubbling tar pit, filled with the remains of creatures.
19. A mountaintop palace, surrounded by statues of angry gods.
20. A vast field of tall grass, rustling in the wind.
21. A grand palace with a few rooms still intact.
22. An ever-shifting spiral staircase that leads to nowhere.
23. A great tower with a balcony from which one can see the entire kingdom.
24. A garden of exotic and deadly plants.
25. A room with a great mechanical device at its center, slowly ticking.
26. A column of light, said to be the entrance to the underworld.
27. A strange machine that can teleport objects.
28. A library of ancient tomes, some still unread.
29. A pool of quicksilver that never ripples.
30. An altar to a long forgotten god.
31. A shrine to an unknown god, surrounded by peculiar symbols.
32. A village of huts made entirely of bones.
33. A gigantic sandstone sculpture of a mountain.
34. A walled city with a huge arena in the center.
35. A crystalline palace of an alien queen.
36. The petrified form of a long-dead wizard.
37. A crashed star-ship, its hull glowing with strange energies.
38. The ruins of an ancient temple, dedicated to a dark god.
39. A vast field of cairns, burial mounds of an ancient people.
40. A step pyramid, with a particularly large top level.
41. A courtyard of white marble, with a large fountain in the center.
42. A cathedral made of a dark wood, with stained glass windows.
43. A floating city, tethered to the ground by massive chains.
44. A palace made of a bright white stone, with a large dome.
45. A series of interconnected tunnels, said to be the home of a creature.
46. A tree, with a house-sized hole in the middle, oozing a red liquid.
47. A machine, larger than a city, slowly creating more machines.
48. A city, eternally dark, with beings that do not need light to see.
49. A Necropolis, with thousands of skeletons in broken armor.
50. A group of vehicles, long ago crashed, with mummified remains inside.
51. A floating palace, with a beautiful woman who always seems to be crying.
52. A black fortress, made of a strange material, surrounded by a moat of acid.
53. An arena, with rows upon rows of seats, and a huge arena in the middle.
54. A library, with millions of books, and a being who is constantly reading.
55. The statue of a forgotten god, long since crumbled.
56. The ruins of an ancient city, now overgrown with jungle.
57. The shrine of a long-dead cult, still guarded by automatons.
58. The remains of a crashed alien spacecraft.
59. A portal to another world, currently inactive.
60. A huge unidentifiable machine, slowly rusting.

12 Science-Fantasy Modes of Transport

Roll (d12):

1. Blue Devil 

Armaments: Four long-range cannons
Speed: 60 miles per hour
Notes: A fearsome war machine, this vehicle is a massive tank, larger than any other in existence. It is said that it was built in the fiery heart of a volcano, and that it is powered by the souls of the damned. It is almost impossible to destroy, and its long-range cannons can level entire cities.


2. Storm Ship
Armaments: None
Speed: Unknown
Notes: An enormous black ship, larger than any other known vessel, that appeared suddenly one day from the heart of a raging storm. It is said to be crewed by the undead, and it sails on the wind without sails or engine.


3. Flying Fortress
Armaments: Hundreds of guns and missiles
Speed: 100 miles per hour
Notes: A massive airship, larger than any other known vessel, that is said to be manned by an army of robots. It is said to be invincible, and it has never been defeated in battle. It is the ultimate weapon, and it is feared by all who know of its existence.


4. Void Skipper
Armaments: 4 front-facing laser turrets
Speed: Warp 10
Notes: A unique vessel, the Void Skipper is the only known ship able to navigate the strange and dangerous realm of the Void. It is crewed by a team of specialists, and is equipped with powerful defenses. The ship is believed to be of alien origin, and is immensely valuable.


5. The Worm
Armaments: 2 rear-facing plasma cannons
Speed: 60 mph
Notes: The Worm is a massive land vehicle, used by the nomadic tribes of the wastes. It is sluggish and heavily armored, but is nearly impossible to destroy. The Worm is powered by a wormhole drive, which allow it to travel great distances quickly.


6. Solar Skiff

Armaments: None.
Speed: up to 500 mph
Notes: A small, one-person vehicle powered by magic. It is incredibly fast, but completely unarmed and very fragile. They are used by the nobility and wealthy of Aquilus as a means of transportation.


7. Sand Fleet
Armaments: Varies, usually light.
Speed: Dependant on weather.
Notes: A number of large and colorful desert reptiles, domesticated and harnessed together to form a living caravan. These beasts are used by desert nomads to transport their belongings across the wastelands. 


8. Sandstorm Chariot
Armaments: Varies, usually light.
Speed: Dependant on weather.
Notes: A large, open-topped vehicle, usually pulled by a Sand Fleet. These chariots are used by desert nomads to transport goods and people across the wastelands. r.


9. Warp Ship
Type: Magical.
Armaments: Varies.
Speed: Instantaneous.
Notes: A ship that uses magic to travel between planes of existence. These ships are used by adventurers and explorers to reach distant lands. They are usually well-armed, as they often travel to dangerous places.


10. Crimson Caravan
Armaments: Varies.
Speed: Dependent on warpstone.
Notes: A strange and dangerous mode of transport, warpstone caravans are made up of massive creatures, mutated and grown by the wizards of the Crimson Order. They are used to transport the Order's precious warpstone shipments across the wastelands, and are guarded by the Order's fearsome warriors. The caravans are slow but very durable, and the creatures that make them up are often mutated to have a variety of strange and deadly abilities.

11. Magma Crawler
Armaments: Varies.
Speed: 15 mph.
Notes: A large and sluggish vehicle, used by the Dwarves to mine the lava fields of the wastes. The Magma Crawler is equipped with a variety of tools and weapons, used to tunnel through the rock and harvest the valuable minerals. The Crawler is slow and heavily armored, and can take a lot of punishment.

12. Sky Whale
Armaments: None.
Speed: variable.
Notes: The sky whales are massive creatures, said to be the size of mountains. They are gentle giants, and are often used by the nomadic tribes of the wastes as a means of transportation. They are very slow, but can travel for great distances without stopping. Sky whales are also a valuable source of food and materials, and are hunted by the largest and most powerful tribes.

Art by Moebius.

10 Magical Orbs (Part I)

Available in large cities from shops, bazaars, street vendors, and discreet traders.

Roll (d10):

1. Sphere of Transcribed Recollection
   Can store user’s memories outside the body. Users can project fifteen minutes’ worth of mental images and words, which can be replayed by anyone activating it. Crafted in spring green crysalite.
   
   
2. Sphere of Auditory Espionage
   When activated, user can pinpoint any point they can see up to 1000 ft away, and hear whatever could ordinarily be heard at the spot for 10 minutes. Crafted in indigo zarbrina.
   
   
3. Sphere of Diagrammatic Emulation
   Throw this sphere into a modest dungeon where it sojourns for 1 hour. When it returns, the user can cast a holographic image on the ground, drawing an accurate map which has been traced. The map does not show living creatures, secret doors, traps, or items in rooms. Crafted in deep ultramarine garnet.
   
   
4. Sphere of Cognitive Assimilation
   This device assimilates the knowledge of one creature and grants it to the user. The target must make a save vs spells. If failed, they lose 1d2 x 1000 XP which are added to the user's total. Each time the sphere is used, there is a 25% chance it fails, draining the user of 1d2 x 1000 XP. Crafted in tangerine orange agate.
   
   
5. Sphere of  Upward Elevation
   This device counteracts gravity, permitting the user to rise up to 300 ft vertically into the air. Ascension can be at up to 30 ft per round. The user can also pull up to 150lb of weight behind them. Crafted in sky blue nephrite.
   
   
6. Sphere of Vanishing Verity
   Activate this sphere, and all deceit and hate will fade. Only truth and love will remain. Very expensive. Crafted in rich, royal blue lapis lazuli.
   
   
7. Sphere of Rudimentary Renewal
   If a creature has been lifeless for less than 24 hours, this reconstructs a rudimentary semblance of life by reactivating its nervous system. The creature does not knowledge its former self. It is a mindless shell, executing basic duties. Complies with verbal commands of the user. The creature works for one hour before fainting and swiftly decay- ing into a stench. Crated in blue tanzanite.
   
   
8. Sphere of Replicated Terrain
   Throw this sphere above your head, it will blasts 1000 ft into the air and hovers for 1 minute. When it descends, it can cast a hologram on the ground, drawing a highly detailed topographical map of 50 miles in each direction. Map does not show living creatures. Crafted in extra-planar polished mercury.
   
   
9. Sphere of Dissipated Warmth
   Hold this sphere close to your mind. For one hour, you will be permitted to observe objects and creatures based on the heat they emanate. This may allow the user to see otherwise invisible creatures, or even certain objects if their temperatures are largely different. Carved in lime green moldavite.
   
   
10. Sphere of Instant Commuting
    User and all associates within a short range are immediately transported 1d10 + 10 minutes into the future. For them, no time elapses. For all others, it’s as if they ceased to exist during the intermediary period. Crafted in rare white obsidian.

Art by Richard Hescox

10 Unique Artifacts (Part I)

Roll (d10):

1. The Blood-Soaked Crown of Aquilus
The Blood-soaked Crown of Aquilus is a circlet of crimson metal that slowly drips with fresh blood. It was used in the coronation of the last king of Aquilus. In his dying moments, the king placed the crown on his own head and bled out atop the altar. The crown has since been used to coronate each new ruler of circlet in a similar fashion.

2. Mask of the Laughing Man
The Mask of the Laughing Man was once worn by a court jester who was murdered by his employer. The mask has since been passed down to other jesters, who have all met the same fate. The mask is said to cause uncontrollable laughter in whoever dons it, eventually leading to madness and death.

3. The Butcher's Blade
The Butcher's Blade is a large, serrated knife that is said to be cursed. It is said that the blade hungers for flesh and will not be satisfied until it has tasted blood. The blade is said to be covered in a never-ending supply of blood, no matter how much is wiped away.

4. The Tongue of the Serpent
The Tongue of the Serpent is a forked tongue that is said to be able to detect lies. It is said that the tongue will wrap itself around the throat of a liar and strangle them. The tongue is also said to be able to charm anyone it speaks to, making them more susceptible to the lies it tells.

5. The Heart of the Dragon
The Heart of the Dragon is a large ruby that is said to be the heart of a dragon. It is said that the heart is still beating and that it gives off a faint, dragon-like roar when it is held close to the ear. It is also said that the heart is impervious to all damage and can only be destroyed by the touch of a dragon.

6. The Horn of the Moon
The Horn of the Moon is a large, spiraling horn that is said to be able to summon the moon. It is said that when the horn is blown, the moon will appear in the sky and will bathe the area in a soft, silvery light. The horn is also said to be able to calm beasts and make them docile.

7. The Stone of Tears
The Stone of Tears is a large, black stone that is said to be able to absorb the tears of those who weep into it. It is said that the stone holds the sorrow of the world and that it weeps for all the sorrow that has been inflicted upon it. The stone is also said to be able to grant wishes, but only to those who have shed tears into it.

8. The God-Mask of Xul'tec
The God-Mask of Xul'tec is a living mask that can be worn by a user to become a God. The mask is made from the stuff of stars, and leaves chaos and destruction in its wake.

9. The Celestial Navigation Globe
The celestial navigation globe is an enlightening tool used to study the planes of existence and the Great Beyond. It is said to be able to pinpoint the exact location of any creature or thing in the cosmos.

10. The Animus Bell
The Animus Bell is a tolling of an arcane machine that can reverse the effects of death. However, the price for such power is the user’s own soul, which is forfeit to the machine.

Art by Moebius.