DM Entry: Shackled City: Cauldron Shops and Taxes in chapter 4.

(Note: We will resolve all selling and buying at the next session. This is only a preview.)

Because of recent tax increases, merchants in Cauldron are now purchasing items at 40% rather than 50% (or 90% rather than 100%).

Also because of recent tax increases, merchants are selling items at 110% of normal prices (as indicated below).

You can buy nonmagic items from the Player's Handbook or from the Shoppe.pdf.

All of the shops selling magic items in town have the following items available during chapter 4. At any given time, there is a 20% chance that a magic item has already been sold when you attempt to buy it.

Remember if any certain item is only 1 item level above your character level, you can still buy it, albeit at double the price. If an item is 2 or more above your character level, you cannot buy it at all.

Inventory (all items are Medium size)	Value	Price After Taxes	Item Level
amulet of natural armor +1	2,000 gp	2,200 gp	6
amulet of natural armor +1	2,000 gp	2,200 gp	6
amulet of natural armor +1	2,000 gp	2,200 gp	6
arrow of disintegration	3,307 gp	3,637 gp, 7 sp	8
bag of holding (type I)	2,500 gp	2,750 gp	7
brooch of shielding	1,500 gp	1,650 gp	5
burnt orange Ioun stone +1	2,000 gp	2,200 gp	6
burnt orange Ioun stone +1	2,000 gp	2,200 gp	6
cloak of resistance +1	1,000 gp	1,100 gp	4
composite longbow +1 (Str +3)	2,700 gp	2,970 gp	7
dancing lantern	2,000 gp	2,200 gp	6
elixir of fire breath	1,100 gp	1,210 gp	4
elixir of fire breath	1,100 gp	1,210 gp	4
elixir of fire breath	1,100 gp	1,210 gp	4
everfull mug	800 gp	880 gp	3
everfull mug	800 gp	880 gp	3
everfull mug	800 gp	880 gp	3
everlasting rations	350 gp	385 gp	2
everlasting rations	350 gp	385 gp	2
everlasting rations	350 gp	385 gp	2
everlasting rations	350 gp	385 gp	2
gloves of dexterity +2	4,000 gp	4,400 gp	8
healing belt	750 gp	825 gp	3
heavy steel shield +1	1,170 gp	1,287 gp	4
heavy steel shield +2	4,170 gp	4,587 gp	9
Heward's handy haversack	2,000 gp	2,200 gp	6
horseshoes of speed	3,000 gp	3,300 gp	7
illuminating rapier +1	2,820 gp	3,102 gp	7
light mace +1	2,305 gp	2,535 gp, 5 sp	7
longsword +1	2,315 gp	2,546 gp, 5 sp	7
necklace of fireballs (type I)	1,650 gp	1,815 gp	5
pear of power (1st level)	1,000 gp	1,100 gp	4
potion of cure light wounds	50 gp	55 gp	1
potion of cure light wounds	50 gp	55 gp	1
potion of cure light wounds	50 gp	55 gp	1
potion of cure light wounds	50 gp	55 gp	1
potion of cure light wounds	50 gp	55 gp	1
potion of enlarge person	250 gp	275 gp	2
potion of magic fang	50 gp	55 gp	1
potion of neutralize poison	750 gp	825 gp	3
potion of protection from arrows (10/magic)	300 gp	330 gp	2
potion of reduce person	250 gp	275 gp	2
potion of remove paralysis	300 gp	330 gp	2
potion of shield of faith +2	50 gp	55 gp	1
restful banded mail +1	1,900 gp	2,090 gp	6
restful chainmail +1	1,800 gp	1,980 gp	5
restful half-plate +1	2,250 gp	2,475 gp	6
ring of feather falling	2,200 gp	2,420 gp	6
ring of protection +1	2,000 gp	2,200 gp	6
ring of protection +1	2,000 gp	2,200 gp	6
rope of climbing	3,000 gp	3,300 gp	7
scroll of color spray (caster level 1)	25 gp	27.5 gp	0
scroll of cure moderate wounds (caster level 3)	200 gp	220 gp	2
scroll of daylight (caster level 5)	375 gp	412 gp, 5 sp	2
scroll of protection from evil (caster level 1)	25 gp	27.5 gp	0
slaying arrow (aberration)	2,282 gp	2,510 gp, 2 sp	6
slaying arrow (dragon)	2,282 gp	2,510 gp, 2 sp	6
slaying arrow (evil outsider)	2,282 gp	2,510 gp, 2 sp	6
slaying arrow (magical beast)	2,282 gp	2,510 gp, 2 sp	6
slaying arrow (undead)	2,282 gp	2,510 gp, 2 sp	6
wand of bear's endurance (25 charges)	2,250 gp	2,475 gp	6
wand of burning hands (50 charges)	750 gp	825 gp	3
wand of cure moderate wounds (25 charges)	2,250 gp	2,475 gp	6

DM Entry: Crawling Dead (updated)

Below is the updated Crawling Dead, which includes design ideas by Theo and Scott.
It has been removed from the Aryathan Jiil Tome of Monsters III.pdf (as a monster) and added to the Libram of Magic II.pdf (as a spell). Both of those books have been updated on the google drive.

Create Crawling Dead

New Spell

Necromancy [evil]

Level: Cleric 1, Sorcerer 1, Wizard 1

Components: V, S

Casting Time: 1 standard action

Range: Touch

Target: One zombie or one destroyed zombie

Duration: Permanent until discharged and then Instantaneous; or Instantaneous; see text

Saving Throw: None

Spell Resistance: No

            When this spell is discharged, the destroyed zombie corpse reanimates, losing everything below its waist as the crawling corpse drags its upper torso away.

            This spell can be cast on either a zombie or a destroyed zombie.

            When cast on a zombie, it has no immediate effect. However, when the zombie is destroyed it comes back as a new undead creature called a crawling dead (see template below). Using this form of the spell is permanent until discharged. Once it is discharged and creates the crawling dead, it is instantaneous. Thus, create crawling dead could be dispelled on an affected zombie before it creates a crawling dead.

You may also optionally cast this spell on a destroyed zombie to create a new undead creature called a crawling dead. You cannot cast this spell on a crawling dead that has been destroyed. When you cast this spell on a destroyed zombie to create a crawling dead, it is instantaneous and cannot be dispelled.

The undead creature can follow you, or remain in an area and attack any creature (or just a specific kind of creature) entering the place. It remains animated until it is are destroyed. A destroyed crawling dead cannot be reanimated again (except perhaps by a revive undead spell).

Crawling dead you control by use of this spell contribute to the amount of undead you can control. See the animate dead spell.

A crawling dead can only be created from a mostly intact corpse, although lower extremities are optional since they are lost as part of the casting of create crawling dead.

Crawling Dead template: Apply the following modifications to the zombie when it becomes a crawling dead.

Any zombie used to create a crawling dead loses half of its body (the lower half) and retains only its head, 2 of its forward-most or upper-most limbs, and its upper torso.

Some example crawling dead include:

·       A crawling dead shark would lose everything behind its dorsal fin, crawling around using its fins and teeth.

·       A crawling dead snake would lose the lower half of its body.

·       A crawling dead horse or crawling dead dog would lose its hind legs and the back half of its body, crawling around with its front legs and head.

·       A crawling dead centaur would lose its 4 horse legs and half of its horse-body, crawling around using its arms.

·       A crawling dead girallon would lose 2 legs, 2 arms, and everything below its waist.

·       A crawling dead spider would lose 6 of its 8 legs, and its abdomen, crawling around using its remaining two legs and dragging its thorax.

·       A crawling dead beholder would lose the back half of its sphere-shaped body, crawling around with its eyestalks.

·       A crawling dead eagle would lose its legs and everything below its breast, crawling around using its wings and beak.

·       A crawling dead drider would lose all of its spider legs and its spider-abdomen, crawling around using its arms.

·       A crawling dead xorn would lose all three legs, 1 of its 3 arms, and the lower half of its body, crawling around using its 2 remaining arms.

Size: Reduce its size category by one. Do no adjust the creature according to the table “Changes to Statistics by Size” from the Monster Manual. The crawling dead uses its new size modifier for armor class, attacks, grapple, and Hide checks.

Speed: A crawling dead that did not already have a land speed gains a land speed. The crawling dead can move 5 feet as a move action and can’t run or charge. A crawling dead loses all other forms of movement (if any).

Armor Class: Reduce its natural armor by 1 (minimum +0).

Natural Attacks: A crawling dead loses any attacks that involve parts of its body below its waist (since this portion of the body no longer exists). A crawling dead horse would retain its hooves attack, but a crawling dead anthropomorphic whale would lose its tail slap.

Crawling (Ex): Because of its mutilated condition, the crawling dead must always crawl using only its arms, hands, and perhaps its upper torso and head. It is always considered to be prone and cannot be tripped. A crawling dead has a -4 penalty on melee attack rolls and cannot use two-handed weapons. A crawling dead gains a +4 bonus to Armor Class against ranged attacks, but takes a -4 penalty to AC against melee attacks. It is impossible for a crawling dead to stand up.

Improved Grab (Ex): If a crawling dead hits a creature one size larger than itself or smaller with a melee attack, it deals normal damage and may attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. No initial touch attack is required. When a crawling dead gets a hold after an improved grab attack, it pulls the opponent into its space. This act does not provoke attacks of opportunity. It can even move (possibly carrying away the opponent), provided it can drag the opponent’s weight.

Trip (Ex): A crawling dead that hits with a slam attack can attempt to trip the opponent as a free action without making a touch attack or provoking an attack of opportunity. If the attempt fails, the opponent cannot react to trip the crawling dead.

Abilities: Dex -2.

CR: One-half of the base zombie.

Carrying Capacity: Consider the crawling dead to be a quadruped of its new size category.

ECL 5: Fate Norbard: Human Duskblade 5: Bio

     When I was a child I played in the woods; for hours at a time. Once ,when  I was 10, I came home and  saw that these guys were talking to Zangold(my father) and Stoatra (my mother). I hid in the bushes next to my house, listening to what they were saying. "Where's the money you own me!?" One of the guys said with anger. He stood about six, four, he wore black full-plate. His sword wasn't sheathed, in fact he had it against my father's throat. My mother was crying because she knew we didn't have any of the money. She looked back at the house, as if looking for me and hoping i'll show up. She looks back and said " We don't have the money. You must have the wrong people. Please just don't kill us!" The guy got a deathly look in his eyes. "My name is Norril Demoneye. You borrowed money from me and didn't pay me back. Say your last prayers before I kill you." Norril Demoneye says. "I lov..." before they both finish saying anything Norril backs his sword up and in one finishing slice he slices off both of there heads. " Burn the house boys. Leave no trace we were here. They clearly don't have the money." Norril says to his servants. " They didn't do anything, why did you kill them!?" One of the servants asks rudely. Norril quickly turns around and slices off his head as well.
     I ran for my live knowing that he would kill me to. As I grew up I followed in my father's footsteps. As a Duskblade I know i'll kill him for what he did. My soul shall not rest until I know I have his head on a spike, and his body burned to a crisp.

ECL 6, Shoemowetochawcawe (Shoat), Sheild Elf, Swashbuckler 3 / Dungeon Specialist Scout 3: Entry 4

Maybe the holy man is right. We need to hurry. Magic wands or not, we need to get out of these tunnels soon. It's starting to affect us. I've seen this bloodlust take over people before in the arena. It stops being about the fighting, or even about the killing. It is turning into just the need to bash - to unleash. 

Watching a priest, a rogue - hells, even a mage - surround and pulverize a random animal  - and KEEP attacking it long after it was just a stain on the floor.... Yeah... 

I've seen that blood haze fall on too many people before. 

And this room we just just cleared? FOUR archers? in a tiny cramped chamber? Barely enough room to reload their crossbows, and they think they could possibly go against a skirmishing fighting group?

There is a sickness down here. I hope I don't fall prey to it before we can leave.

Shackled City: ECL 6 Korinth the Protector Silverbrow Human Cloistered Cleric 5/ Radiant Servant of Pelor 1: Entry 8

Even though we have been apart for these last two years it is as if Korinth and I are linked in our minds.  He can feel my frustration as we fight these underwhelming opponents.  He promised fun and a challenge if I were to come join him on his adventures.  Leaving the temple does offer a lot more freedom and experience, but my purpose is quite clear.  I am sent to this plane as a messenger for Pelor.  I will speak his holy word and bring light to the dark.  But lately I feel more like an exterminator than a holy messenger.

Shackled City: ECL 6 Ethel Schmidt Goblin Scout 3 Rogue 2: Journal 6

Shit.  I forgot to split open the hobbit's gut and take his coins.  That's right, ain't it?  Hobbits keep money in their bellies?  Otto told me that once I think.

Wait, no.  It was ol chief Shaftkiss.  Ugh.  We was always cuttin open hobbits in those days and there wasn't never no coins in em.  Still made us do it tho.  Sometimes he'd take the runtiest of us and cut him open too just to make sure we wasn't holdin anything back.  Then everyone had ta eat the tripe.

But one time a screg choked on the gob guts cause there was a coin in em.  So, smart move I guess.  Can't believe he's still with me now tho.  What a fuckin drippin shitfroth lunatic.                                           fuck

He was pretty good at what he did tho, ol Gagknob.  Splittin open hobbits.  I guess I kinda owe him in a way, how well he taught me, seein as to all the hobbits I gots to gut from day to day.  HA HA but no.  He can swallow a coupla gallons of his own piss thru his own sawed-off pecker.  Then I'll help him get that gold out of his belly, show him how well I learned.

Damn, I'm gettin myself excited.  I gotta find a roll a coins to hide in my own belly if you catch my drift.  Too bad dumb bitch with her fuckin razor blade door don't got no head.  Wouldn't even have to wake her up.

Triel, beautiful, why ain't you got no cock an balls?  Mostly all the ladies in that book a yours got a set.  I'll untie ya, baby, and we'll put the wizard in a cage til he does the spell what gives us really big ones, I know he's got one or two that can make em long as yer arm.  Then we can each take one end til he's ready to go back in the cage, right next to the one for priests with their balls cut off what suggest these cages is for goblins.

Vershnat, I'm pathetic.  We've kept this broad on ice for mostly all the time since we met her and here I'm sittin spinnin tales about us as lovers again.  As much as they been thumpin her skull she probably won't do more than drool when she wakes up.  If she wakes up.  She won't be so sexy anymore then.

Fuck it, it ain't like any of these prudes would take me up on it even if I offered em a dip.  I'm honestly startin to eye the raccoon.

Maaaaaaaaaan.

This is the pits.

If it ain't bad enough I'm so pent up, it's gotta be three days now we been in this puckery asshole they call a cave.  This is not what I signed up for, ya know?  Seriously reconsiderin tryin to refurbish the place.  Just bein here is drivin me skitterin mad.  I mean, have ya read all that shit I wrote just now?

Cause I did, and honestly it's some a my best work.  Like, a spell to give ya magic man-meat?  Seriously gotta ask Osiris if he can do that.  Oh, duh!  That's where I been goin wrong.  He probably wanted to but didn't think I'd go for it.  You don't gotta be shy, Mr. Elf.  I'll give ya a railin any way ya like it.

Shit, still got the itch.  Where'd I put that book?