I only knew about Fritz Lieber's Lankhmar stories through the "Inspirational Reading" sections of the 1ed Dungeon Master's Guide and the Nehwon mythos of the original Dieties and Demigods. It was always interesting, but it wasn't until I read the Mongoose RuneQuest Lankhmar supplement that I had really caught the bug and wanted to give the books a whirl. Last week, I downloaded Swords and Deviltry off of the iTunes bookstore (alas, they don't have The Dying Earth series) and was formally introduced to some of the greatest thieves in fantasy history.
I loved the book.
For my eighth birthday, I received The Hobbit and started down the fantasy path. My aunt got me the Chronicles of Narnia and The Once and Future King, but I really liked the Tolkien side more. TSR started putting out the Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms novels and I really stopped reading fantasy when I outgrew that crap. I picked up some Warhammer Fantasy novels over the last few years, which I considered fun, throwaway reading. Nothing great, but fun.
Fritz Lieber's Lankhmar books are really great reads for D&D players and referees. Maybe some of the new-school players might want something more "epic" or "heroic," but for the most part, the concept of adventurers (not heroes) who basically do the right thing for sometimes the wrong reason appeals to the kind of people I play with a lot of the time. Yeah, some guys really like to try to play the boy scout paladin, but most players are pretty much into self-improvement, loot, and glory.
Having finished Swords and Deviltry, I can see the influence the series had on the game. And I also see how it can maybe steer you as a player and DM to a different place. I recommend the books wholeheartedly. Check them out if you haven't already.
Showing posts with label Lankhmar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lankhmar. Show all posts
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Rogue's Gallery: Selina, Lankhmar Tavern Girl (MRQ Lankhmar)
History:
Selina has never sought adventure but it certainly has a way of finding her. Unsure of her exact background, although she looks as though she is from Sarheenmar, Selina only knew slavery as a childhood. Possessed of good looks, charm, and grace, it was clear that she would serve the pleasure of her master. While learning the skills which were so important to her future, Selina fell in with an older girl, Yenda, who was not born a slave. Yenda's stories of a life outside of her brothel sparked a fire in Selina's imagination. Realizing there was a better world outside she had no comprehension of, she quickly convinced Yenda to escape with her, to find a better world. The duo made their way across the eastern continent until they returned to Sarheenmar. There, they earned their keep as courtesans, using the skills learned in the harems to survive. Unfortunately, their independence offered them little protection. Yenda was killed by an influential and sadistic client, who then came looking for Selina to ensure he was not turned in to authorities. Selina knew she needed to leave Sarheenmar, so she managed to charm her way into the companyof merchants destined for Lankhmar. She has been in the city for several years now, working for the House of the Red Lanterns. With the House, she has found protection and stability. As is often the case in Lankhmar, strange things befall Selina or her clients with disturbing frequency. Unlike most, however, Selina does not attempt to ignore or avoid these oddities, instead finding herself as part of some adventure or another. The madams of the House certainly disapprove, as she often returns battered and bruised, not a condition requested by customers.
Personality:
Selina has built up a certain detachment from many things, sexuality and romance first among those, but is far from callous. Her warm nature is a front with customers but true for those close to her. The proposition of freedom excites and scares her, which is why she only dabbles in adventuring. She has grown weary of her work and could probably be lured away from it by adventuring companions.
Using Selina in your campaign:
The statistics below are those of a Novice Runequest character, so you could use her as a pre-generated PC with no problems. As an NPC, it is probably advisable that she is not known professionally (unless other PCs are House of the Red Lantern employees), as her "union rules" and professionalism prevent her for forming any attachment or providing information on other clients. If she is met during an adventure, it is likely that she will want to join along. She has little in the way of hard adventuring skills, but is certainly willing to learn. She would make a good apprentice/hireling for more established adventurers.
Statistics:
Selina, Tavern Girl
Background: Slave
Profession: Courtesan
STR-10
CON-12
DEX-14
SIZ-12
INT-10
POW-12
CHA-14
Combat Actions: 3
Damage Modifier: +0
Magic Points: 12
Strike Rank: 12
Location-HP
Head-5
Chest-7
Abdomen-6
L Arm-4
R Arm-4
L Leg-5
R Leg-5
Acrobatics-14
Athletics-39
Boating-10
Craft (Painter)-20
Dagger-39
Dance-24
Dodge-37
Driving-22
Evaluate-10
First Aid-20
Influence-39
Language-60
Lore (Animal)-10
Lore (Art)-20
Lore (Plant)-20
Lore (Lankhmar)-10
Lore (World)-10
Perception-32
Persistence-37
Play Harp-34
Resilience-39
Riding-26
Sing-24
Sleight-14
Stealth-12
Unarmed-20
Member of the House of Red Lanterns
29 Silver Smerduks
5 Bronze Agols
Work Clothes (All Fancy):
5 Dresses, 3 Belts, 2 Corsets, Coat, 2pr Gloves, 5pr Shoes, Bustle
Street/Adventuring Clothes (All Common):
Breeches, Brimmed Hat, Cloak, Doublet, Gloves, High Boots, Leather Belt, Shirt
Adventuring Gear:
Slingbag (Flint & Tinder, 2 1-hour Torches)
Dirk (Dmg 1d3+2, 4AP/8HP)
Selina has never sought adventure but it certainly has a way of finding her. Unsure of her exact background, although she looks as though she is from Sarheenmar, Selina only knew slavery as a childhood. Possessed of good looks, charm, and grace, it was clear that she would serve the pleasure of her master. While learning the skills which were so important to her future, Selina fell in with an older girl, Yenda, who was not born a slave. Yenda's stories of a life outside of her brothel sparked a fire in Selina's imagination. Realizing there was a better world outside she had no comprehension of, she quickly convinced Yenda to escape with her, to find a better world. The duo made their way across the eastern continent until they returned to Sarheenmar. There, they earned their keep as courtesans, using the skills learned in the harems to survive. Unfortunately, their independence offered them little protection. Yenda was killed by an influential and sadistic client, who then came looking for Selina to ensure he was not turned in to authorities. Selina knew she needed to leave Sarheenmar, so she managed to charm her way into the companyof merchants destined for Lankhmar. She has been in the city for several years now, working for the House of the Red Lanterns. With the House, she has found protection and stability. As is often the case in Lankhmar, strange things befall Selina or her clients with disturbing frequency. Unlike most, however, Selina does not attempt to ignore or avoid these oddities, instead finding herself as part of some adventure or another. The madams of the House certainly disapprove, as she often returns battered and bruised, not a condition requested by customers.
Personality:
Selina has built up a certain detachment from many things, sexuality and romance first among those, but is far from callous. Her warm nature is a front with customers but true for those close to her. The proposition of freedom excites and scares her, which is why she only dabbles in adventuring. She has grown weary of her work and could probably be lured away from it by adventuring companions.
Using Selina in your campaign:
The statistics below are those of a Novice Runequest character, so you could use her as a pre-generated PC with no problems. As an NPC, it is probably advisable that she is not known professionally (unless other PCs are House of the Red Lantern employees), as her "union rules" and professionalism prevent her for forming any attachment or providing information on other clients. If she is met during an adventure, it is likely that she will want to join along. She has little in the way of hard adventuring skills, but is certainly willing to learn. She would make a good apprentice/hireling for more established adventurers.
Statistics:
Selina, Tavern Girl
Background: Slave
Profession: Courtesan
STR-10
CON-12
DEX-14
SIZ-12
INT-10
POW-12
CHA-14
Combat Actions: 3
Damage Modifier: +0
Magic Points: 12
Strike Rank: 12
Location-HP
Head-5
Chest-7
Abdomen-6
L Arm-4
R Arm-4
L Leg-5
R Leg-5
Acrobatics-14
Athletics-39
Boating-10
Craft (Painter)-20
Dagger-39
Dance-24
Dodge-37
Driving-22
Evaluate-10
First Aid-20
Influence-39
Language-60
Lore (Animal)-10
Lore (Art)-20
Lore (Plant)-20
Lore (Lankhmar)-10
Lore (World)-10
Perception-32
Persistence-37
Play Harp-34
Resilience-39
Riding-26
Sing-24
Sleight-14
Stealth-12
Unarmed-20
Member of the House of Red Lanterns
29 Silver Smerduks
5 Bronze Agols
Work Clothes (All Fancy):
5 Dresses, 3 Belts, 2 Corsets, Coat, 2pr Gloves, 5pr Shoes, Bustle
Street/Adventuring Clothes (All Common):
Breeches, Brimmed Hat, Cloak, Doublet, Gloves, High Boots, Leather Belt, Shirt
Adventuring Gear:
Slingbag (Flint & Tinder, 2 1-hour Torches)
Dirk (Dmg 1d3+2, 4AP/8HP)
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