I really like the idea of Patrons in Dungeon Crawl Classics. The crazy things that demons, arch-fey, and other otherworldly beings demand of their mortal lackeys makes the whole "mad wizard" concept make sense, as well as differentiating wizards from each other a lot more than calling one a necromancer and another a conjuror when they share about 50% of their spell list.
The one thing that hasn't sat too well with me is how weirdly disfiguring the corruption is for most of the Patrons I've seen, either the official ones in the book or homebrews. Not that this is 100% a bad thing, but it seems to me that elves in general are not too into giving up their looks for power. Of course, there are always renegades who don't mind turning into some slobbering frog-beast, but most elves are too haughty to demean themselves that way. On the other hand, to my way of thinking, elves don't care a bit about going bat-shit insane if it gets them more power...there's a reason elves are kind of scary in the old stories. And also, if a Patron taint improves their looks in some way, most elves would be all over that.
So I've decided to make a couple of Patrons that (to my mind) hold more appeal for elves than the average currently available ones. Here's the first one...I should have the next ready in a week or so.
The May Queen
The Queen of the Spring is a
favored patron among the elves. She holds power over flowers,
butterflies, and things of beauty, and she presides over the end of
winter and return of life to the world.
Invoke Patron check results:
| 12-13 |
A swarm of colorful butterflies swirl around a designated
enemy, effectively blinding them for 1d4 rounds.
|
| 14-17 |
A swarm of bees surrounds 1d3 enemies, stinging for 1 point of
damage each round for 1d6 rounds. |
| 18-19 |
A swarm of bees surrounds 1d4+2 enemies, stinging for 2 points
of damage each round for 2d4 rounds. |
| 20-23 |
A group of 2d4 killer bees flies into the area, attacking the
caster's enemies for 1 full turn. If all enemies are dispatched
while bees remain, they will fetch and carry small objects for the
caster until the turn is over. |
| 24-27 |
A swarm of 3d6 giant bees flies in, attacking the caster's
enemies for 1d3 turns, fetching and carrying as above. |
| 28-29 |
A giant dragonfly zips into the area, attacking the caster's
enemies for 2d4 turns. If the caster is of elf-size or smaller,
they can use the dragonfly as a mount. Neither the caster nor the
dragonfly can attack in the round the caster mounts it.
Giant Dragonfly: Init +2; Atk +5 (dmg 3d4 bite); AC 17; HD 7d8;
MV 90' flying; Act 1d20; SV Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +2; AL N. |
| 30-31 |
A group of 1d4+1 giant dragonflies swarms into the area,
attacking the caster's enemies for 3d4 turns. The dragonflies can
be used as mounts as above. |
| 32+ |
A pair of pastel colored fairy wyverns with butterfly wings
swoops in to attack the caster's enemies, serve as mounts for up
to human-size creatures, and be generally helpful until the next
sunset.
Fairy Wyvern: Atk +7 (dmg 2d8 bite/1d6 tail sting); AC 16; HD
7d12; MV 15 ground/60 flying; Act 2d20; SP poison sting (DC 17
Fort save, lose 2d6 Stamina on successful save, 4d6 on fail); SV
Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +5; AL C. |
Patron Taint: The May Queen
Roll Result
1 The caster exudes a strong floral
scent whenever they cast a spell. The second time this
result is rolled, the caster smells
like flowers all the time. The third time this result is
rolled, flowers bud and grow as part
of the caster's hair.
2 The caster is always surrounded by a
number of bees, butterflies, fireflies, and other
nectar-eating insects. The second
time this result is rolled, the caster's skin becomes
somewhat sticky, causing small
lightweight objects to adhere. The third time this result
is rolled, the caster's body begins
to sweat honey. Any time the caster breaks a sweat
their clothes and belongings become
saturated with sweet stickiness.
3 The caster's spells are accompanied
by the sounds of birdsong. The second time this
result is rolled, the sounds of birds
can always be heard in the caster's presence. The
third time this result is rolled,
birds will always be physically present with the caster.
They may occasionally help with
housework, but usually just perch here and there, and
make stealth extremely difficult.
4 Plants in the caster's footsteps
become noticeably greener. The second time this result is
rolled, small seedlings spring up in
the caster's footprints. Even walking across bare
rock, cracks in the rock and small
accumulations of dirt will hold tiny seedlings
wherever the caster has stepped. The
third time this result is rolled, the seedlings
quickly bloom in beautiful and
unmistakable colors, making the caster easy to track.
5 Wood that remains in contact with
the caster for any length of time (walking staff, a
chair that is sat in for more than an
hour or so, a cart being ridden in) begins to ooze
fresh sap from the end grain. The
second time this result is rolled, roots begin to grow
from wood that remains in contact
with the caster. The third time this is rolled, wood
that remains in contact with the
caster buds and eventually grows green leaves.
6 The caster becomes a very heavy
sleeper, and must make a DC 10 Will save to wake up
in the night, even with melee raging
around their bed. The second time this result is
rolled, the caster falls into a deep
sleep, almost a coma whenever the sun goes down in
the winter. They can only be
awakened by forceful shaking or outright pain and with a
DC 15 Will save. The third time this
result is rolled, the caster falls into a deep coma at
the first heavy frost of the winter,
curling into a fetal position and turning hard (AC 15)
and dark brown, like a seed. They
will remain this way until the spring. Methods of
“sprouting” the caster before
spring are left to the GM's imagination.
Patron Spells: The May Queen
1. Fairy Jewels
2. Peaceful Night
3. Reawakening
Spellburn: The May Queen
Roll Spellburn Result
1 Bees swarm the caster's ears, eyes,
nose, and mouth attempting to collect blood instead
of nectar. The pain and blood loss
manifest as stat point loss.
2 A rose vine sprouts at the caster's
feet and wraps around their legs, digging thorns into
flesh. Each point of spellburn
causes a white rose to bloom and slowly turn red as the
vine drains blood from the caster.
3 The caster's life force glows forth,
shedding light and heat in the immediate area. Any
plants in the area will grow quickly
and lushly for several days afterwards.
4 The caster falls dormant as though
dead until spellburn damage heals fully.
Fairy Jewels
Level: 1 (The May Queen)
Range: 100' Duration: Varies Casting Time: 1 action
Save: Will save vs spell
check
General: The ground is
scattered with small jewel-like gleams, with the potential to
distract
greedy enemies.
Manifestation: Roll 1d4: (1)
the end of a rainbow descends on the area for a few seconds, before
disappearing and leaving
behind the gleaming fairy jewels; (2) disembodied child-like
laughter is heard just as
the glint of fairy jewels is noticed; (3) small flowers sprout and
bloom, revealing a jewel
within; (4) small glimmers of light in different colors fly
around the area in erratic
loops and curves before settling to the ground
| 12-13 |
The fairy jewels cover an area approximately 5' across.
Intelligent foes and animals attracted by shiny objects who fail a
Will save and are within 5' of the jewels take a -2 penalty to AC
for 1 round while they work out whether these are real gems or
not. Closer inspection reveals that they are drops of dew that
refract light falling on them. |
| 14-17 |
The fairy jewels cover an area approximately 10' across.
Intelligent foes and animals attracted by shiny objects who fail a
Will save and are within 5' of the jewels take a -2 penalty to AC
and attack rolls for 1d3 rounds while they work out whether these
are real gems or not. Closer inspection reveals that they are
drops of dew that refract light falling on them. |
| 18-19 |
The fairy jewels cover an area approximately 10' across.
Intelligent foes and animals attracted by shiny objects who fail a
Will save and are within 10' of the jewels take a -2 penalty to AC
and attack rolls for 1d6 rounds while they work out whether these
are real gems or not. Closer inspection reveals that they are
small crystals of quartz of no real value. |
| 20-23 |
The fairy jewels cover an area approximately 15' across.
Intelligent foes and animals attracted by shiny objects who are
within 10' of the jewels take a -2 penalty to AC and attack rolls
for 1d8 rounds while they work out whether these are real gems or
not. Those who fail a Will save are unable to attack during this
time. Closer inspection reveals that they are small crystals of
quartz of no real value. |
| 24-27 |
The fairy jewels cover an area approximately 15' across.
Intelligent foes and animals attracted by shiny objects who are
within 10' of the jewels take a -2 penalty to AC for 2d6 rounds
while they work out whether these are real gems or not. They are
unable to attack during this time. Those who fail a Will save
fall to arguing among themselves over the jewels. Closer
inspection reveals that they are small crystals of quartz of no
real value interspersed with 1d6 semiprecious stones worth d10x10
gp each. |
| 28-29 |
The fairy jewels cover an area approximately 20' across.
Intelligent foes and animals attracted by shiny objects who are
within 10' of the jewels take a -2 penalty to AC for 2d8 rounds
while they work out whether these are real gems or not. They are
unable to attack during this time. Those who fail a Will save
fall to arguing among themselves over the jewels. Closer
inspection reveals that they are small crystals of quartz of no
real value interspersed with 1d8 semiprecious stones worth d10x10
gp each. |
| 30-31 |
The fairy jewels cover an area approximately 20' across.
Intelligent foes and animals attracted by shiny objects who are
within 15' of the jewels fall to arguing among themselves over the
jewels for 2d10 rounds. Those who fail a Will save will come to
blows. Closer inspection reveals that they are small crystals of
quartz of no real value interspersed with 1d8 gemstones worth
d10x100 gp each. |
| 32+ |
The fairy jewels cover an area approximately 30' across.
Intelligent foes and animals attracted by shiny objects who are
within 15' of the jewels fall to fighting among themselves over
the jewels for 2d12 rounds . Closer inspection reveals that they
are small crystals of quartz of no real value interspersed with
1d10 gemstones worth d10x100 gp each. |
Peaceful Night
Level: 2 (The May Queen)
Range: None Duration: Varies Casting Time: 1 action
Save: Will save vs spell
check where allowed
General: Creates a warm(er),
safe(r) environment for resting and/or healing.
Manifestation: Roll 1d3: (1)
the air sparkles and magical tinkling sounds are heard as the local
environment alters to a
spring evening; (2) a portal opens into a fairy forest (the portal
remains open throughout
the spell's duration); (3) a warm wind blows, causing plants to
grow and flourish as in
the springtime
| 14-15 |
An area of 10' radius is raised or lowered 10 degrees towards
75 degrees Fahrenheit for 2d4 hours. Small flecks of light like
fireflies or lightning bugs drift around the area, creating enough
light to see, but not quite enough to read by. |
| 16-19 |
An area of 15' radius is raised or lowered 20 degrees towards
75 degrees Fahrenheit for 2d4 hours. Small flecks of light like
fireflies or lightning bugs drift around the area, creating enough
light to see, but not quite enough to read by. Additionally,
dandelions and morels spring up in the area, enough to feed 1d3
people for one meal. |
| 20-21 |
An area of 15' radius is raised or lowered 30 degrees towards
75 degrees Fahrenheit for 1d6+2 hours. Resting in this area is
especially restorative; six hours of sleep here counts as a full
night. Small flecks of light like fireflies or lightning bugs
drift around the area, creating enough light to see, but not quite
enough to read by. Additionally, dandelions and morels spring up
in the area, enough to feed 1d6 people for one meal. Lastly, the
sounds of crickets, frogs, and katydids will stop suddenly if any
creature approaches within 100' of the site, making the guard's
job easier. |
| 22-25 |
An area of 20' radius is raised or lowered 40 degrees towards
75 degrees Fahrenheit for 1d6+2 hours. Resting in this area is
especially restorative; four hours of sleep here counts as a full
night, and eight hours counts as two nights for purposes of
natural healing or regaining stat point loss. The sky is lit as
if the sun has just set, or is just about to rise, giving enough
light to see by. Anyone who needs more light, to read for
instance, is obliged by the fireflies, who group near enough to
shed enough light. Additionally, dandelions and morels spring up
in the area, enough to feed 1d10 people for one meal. Lastly, the
sounds of crickets, frogs, and katydids will stop suddenly if any
creature approaches within 100' of the site, making the guard's
job easier. |
| 26-29 |
An area of 25' radius is raised or lowered 50 degrees towards
75 degrees Fahrenheit for 1d4+4 hours. Resting in this area is
especially restorative; four hours of sleep here counts as a full
night, and eight hours counts as two nights for purposes of
natural healing or regaining stat point loss. The sky is lit as
if the sun has just set, or is just about to rise, giving enough
light to see by. Anyone who needs more light, to read for
instance, is obliged by the fireflies, who group near enough to
shed enough light. Additionally, dandelions and morels spring up
in the area, enough to feed 1d14 people for one meal. Lastly, the
sounds of crickets, frogs, and katydids are so soothing, that
approaching enemies must make a Will save vs the spell check or
fall asleep for the remainder of the spell's duration. If any
enemies make the save, the sounds stop as above. |
| 30-31 |
An area of 30' radius is raised or lowered 60 degrees towards
75 degrees Fahrenheit for 1d4+4 hours. Resting in this area is
especially restorative; three hours of sleep here counts as a full
night, and every three hours after that counts as another night
for purposes of natural healing or regaining stat point loss. The
sky is lit as if the sun has just set, or is just about to rise,
giving enough light to see by. Anyone who needs more light, to
read for instance, is obliged by the fireflies, who group near
enough to shed enough light. Additionally, dandelions and morels
spring up in the area, enough to feed 1d20 people for one meal.
Lastly, the sounds of crickets, frogs, and katydids are so
soothing, that approaching enemies must make a Will save vs the
spell check or fall asleep for the remainder of the spell's
duration. If any enemies make the save, the sounds stop as above. |
| 32-33 |
An area of 30' radius is raised or lowered 60 degrees towards
75 degrees Fahrenheit for 2d4+4 hours. Resting in this area is
especially restorative; three hours of sleep here counts as a full
night, and every three hours after that counts as another night
for purposes of natural healing or regaining stat point loss. The
sky is lit as if the sun has just set, or is just about to rise,
giving enough light to see by. Anyone who needs more light, to
read for instance, is obliged by the fireflies, who group near
enough to shed enough light. Additionally, dandelions and morels
spring up in the area, enough to feed 1d30 people for one meal,
and are so nutritious that they provide one hit die of healing (as
per clerical healing) for those who eat them fresh. Lastly, the
sounds of crickets, frogs, and katydids are so soothing, that
approaching enemies must make a Will save vs the spell check or
fall asleep for the remainder of the spell's duration. If any
enemies make the save, the sounds stop as above. |
| 34+ |
An area of 50' radius is raised or lowered to 75 degrees
Fahrenheit for 3d4+4 hours. Resting in this area is especially
restorative; three hours of sleep here counts as a full night, and
every three hours after that counts as another night for purposes
of natural healing or regaining stat point loss. The sky is lit
as if the sun has just set, or is just about to rise, giving
enough light to see by. Anyone who needs more light, to read for
instance, is obliged by the fireflies, who group near enough to
shed enough light. Additionally, dandelions and morels spring up
in the area, enough to feed 2d30 people for one meal, and are so
nutritious that they provide one hit die of healing (as per
clerical healing) for those who eat them fresh. Lastly, the
sounds of crickets, frogs, and katydids are so soothing, that
approaching enemies must make a Will save vs the spell check or
fall asleep for the remainder of the spell's duration. If any
enemies make the save, the sounds stop as above. |
Reawakening
Level: 3 (The May Queen)
Range: 10' Duration: Varies Casting Time: 1 turn Save: None
General: Like seeds
sprouting in the spring, or withered plants putting forth fresh green
shoots,
an unresponsive character
is roused from unconsciousness (or worse) with renewed
vigor.
Manifestation: Roll 1d4: (1)
a warm ray of light shines on the target causing them to awaken; (2)
the
target's skin splits and a
seedling sprouts from the now-dead body, growing into an exact
duplicate of the target;
(3) herbs and flowers with a stimulating fragrance spring up
around the caster; (4)
time seems to stand still as fairy maidens whisk the target away to
Avalon, returning days,
weeks, or months later with a recovered target
| 16-17 |
The target is awakened from a normal or drugged sleep, for 1d4
rounds. If the duration of the drugs is still in effect when the
spell expires, the target will fall back into a stupor at that
time. |
| 18-21 |
As above, but also affecting magical sleep or coma. Duration
is 2d4 rounds. |
| 22-23 |
As above, but also healing 1 hit point, assuming a roll the
body check is passed, if applicable. Spell duration is 1d4 turns. |
| 24-26 |
As above, but also providing a +2 bonus to roll the body
checks. Spell duration is 2d4 turns. |
| 27-31 |
As above, but healing is 1d3 hit points, and the bonus for roll
the body checks is +4. Spell duration is 1d4 hours. |
| 32-33 |
As above, but the target automatically passes roll the body
checks. Spell duration is 2d4 hours. |
| 34-35 |
As above, but the target regenerates lost limbs or organs.
Spell duration is 2d12 hours. |
| 36+ |
As above, but the target rises from the dead, as long as the
body is reasonably intact and hasn't been dead for more than 1d4
days. Spell duration is indefinite (target does not fall back to
sleep under due to existing outside influences). |
