 |
| A moving fortress, made of once gentle giants now made insane. Pictures Mangled By: Me |
Pictures Mangled By Me: Any picture with this in its caption means it is a collage
I made using 19th and early 20th century illustrations. All these
illustrations are public domain, meaning I didn't rob anyone by using
these pictures for my own gains.
A massive form
moves forward, a knight's helm fit for a titan looming out before a
stone tower. A square construction of rectangular blocks, four arrow
slits to a side. Atop the tower, a siege engine, projectiles tossed
with little aim to crush and kill. A slug-like creature bears this
tower, its head covered by the helm, its body armored to turn away
the blows of knights and soldier alike. Arrows come arcing out of the
slits, impacting bodies and shields as the slug-borne tower moves
inexorably forward.
Maturu, Kelik (6M
– 249). Pen and Death: The Poetry of an Infantry Soldier. Infinite
City: Roving Publishing House. Pg. 11
[WARNING: This
book is currently on the burn list of all city authorities.
Unauthorized possession can result in a fine of five hundred (500)
gold pieces and a prison sentence of no fewer than four (4) years.]
Once mounts of faith
Now godless
Caretakers drafted to
militancy
Torqued Snail to Slug
Now tower, once temple
Arrows as prayers
Soldiers as priests
Armor as vestments
Come before this altar
You and I will bleed
You will be made death
I will be made supplicant
You and I will be twisted
Our natural purpose now war
 |
| Early Marchen War Machines. |
Excerpt of a
letter from Odilan Ovea to her husband. Dr. Ovea was the lead
researcher for the Infinite City Unified War Department during the
last decade of the Storyteller Wars.
… I don't care if
they read this, I won't cover up their mistakes any longer. The WD
wants solutions from me, I'm not paid enough for cover-ups.
By the love of Dion,
I had no idea where the Leviathans came from. They used to be docile
and sapient, not these mad trains of flesh and muscle. These
poor creatures called themselves the Keong, and worked with the
clergy of a religion called the Pastoral Faith.
The city tried to
buy the Keong from the Pastorals, but the poor clerics refused to
sell them into bondage. Then the city did what it always does, when
bribery didn't work, they murdered and stole.
 |
| War is only exciting to rulers, generals, and children. For everyone else it is terrifying and tragic. |
Never heard of the
Pastorals? That's because they were erased: from books, from art, and
even from memories.
The city turned the
Keong over to Aelfar. No idea who they were, but we have many texts
by them in the archives. It seems like after they changed the Keong
into War-Slugs, the city parted ways with Aelfar. What I can glean
from the few surviving documents, the Aelfar frightened the city
rulers.
I don't know who the
Aelfar were or are, but I'm afraid of them. According to their
translated texts, the changes they made to the Keong were considered
by the Aelfar to be minor or cosmetic.
Cover up all the
mirrors in the house, my love. The Aelfar watch through mirrors...
 |
| ...an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death |
OSR
/ AD&D / LotFP
Activity Cycle:
Primarily Day
Alignment:
Neutral (they tend to attack anyone they have not been bonded to
them)
Intelligence: Low
(They display an animal intelligence)
Treasure:
Whatever can be found within the tower on its back.
AC: 21 / -1
Move: 30 ft
HD: 18 + 18
THAC0 / To-Hit:
7 / +13
# of Attacks:
1 (Sweep OR Spit Acid)
Damage -
Sweep:
2D12 + 6
Spit
Acid: 5D6+5
All Saves: 10
Size: 40
Wide and 80 feet Long. Temple usually 30 feet square and 50 feet
tall.
Special Attacks -
Spit Acid: A
Tower Slug can spit acid at an opponent within 80 feet (no range
increment). Those struck with the spit must make a save versus Poison
or take another 2D6+2 next round.
Sweep: All
targets in a 180 degree front facing arc and within 30 feet of the
Tower Slug can be struck with a successful to-hit roll. A single
to-hit roll is made, striking all those within the range of the
ability according to normal AC rules.
Special Abilities
-
Susceptible to
Salt: A handful of salt burns a
Tower Slug as if it were a flask of acid, causing 1d6 points of
damage per use.
Immune to Mind
Effects: The mind of the Tower
Slug has been conditioned to only follow the will of its controllers.
The Tower -
The tower has a
standard compliment of 28 archers, 20 active and 4 in reserve. There
are 4 more men-at-arms within the tower to help fend off intruders.
There is a single iron-banded oak door at the front of the tower.
Atop the tower is another 6 soldiers who act as the crew for the
siege engine, which is normally a trebuchet.
Each round, 4
archers fire from each side of the tower, and the trebuchet fires
once every 4 rounds.
Archers
AC: 14 / 6
Move: 30 ft
HD: 1 +1
THAC0 / To-Hit:
17 / +3
# of Attacks:
1 Arrow
Damage -
Arrows:
1D6
All Saves: 16
Men-at-Arms
AC: 16 / 4
Move: 30 ft
HD: 1 +1
THAC0 / To-Hit:
17 / +3
# of Attacks:
Sword
Damage -
Long Sword:
1D8
All Saves: 16
Trebuchet
Rate of Fire:
1 every 4 rounds.
Range:
150–300 yards (Cannot hit things at ranges shorter than 150 yards)
Area effect:
10' square (Everyone/thing within the area of effect may make a save
versus Breath for half damage)
Damage: 6D6
(Crushing)
Minimum Crew: 4
Experience
Award: 8,000
+ 1,200 for Tower and Crew
 |
| ...a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth. |
Pathfinder
/ 3.X
CR 11
XP:
12,800
N Colossal vermin
Initiative:
-4
Senses:
Senses Dark Vision 60ft.; Perception +0
DEFENSE
AC:
26, touch 1, flat-footed 26; (–4 Dex, +25 natural, –8 size, +3
Armor)
HP:
150 (12d8+96)
Fort +14, Ref +0,
Will +4
DR:
10/slashing or piercing Immune acid, mind-affecting effects
Weaknesses:
Susceptible to salt
OFFENSE
Speed:
30 ft.
Melee: Sweep
+15 (6D8+16)
Ranged: Spit
acid +3 (8D6+8 acid). Must make a Fortitude save (DC 25) or take
another 4D6+4 acid damage next round.
Space:
30 ft.
Reach:
30 ft.
STATISTICS
Str 43, Dex 2, Con
26, Int 1, Wis 10, Cha 1
Base Attack:
+9
CMB:
+29
CMD:
33 (can't be tripped)
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Spit Acid (Ex): A
Tower Slug can spit acid at an opponent within 60 feet (no range
increment). With a successful ranged touch attack, the target takes
8D6+8 points of acid damage (no save). The target must make a
Fortitude save (DC 22) or take another 4D4+4 acid damage next round.
Sweep (Ex): All
targets in a 180 degree front facing arc and within 30 feet of the
Tower Slug can be struck with a successful to-hit roll. A single
to-hit roll is made, striking all those within the range according to
normal AC rules.
Susceptible to
Salt (Ex): A handful of salt burns a giant slug as if it were a
flask of acid, causing 1d6 points of damage per use.
The Tower -
The tower has a
standard compliment of 28 archers, 24 active and 4 in reserve. There
are 4 more men-at-arms within the tower to help fend off intruders.
There is a single iron-banded oak door at the front of the tower.
Atop the tower is another 6 soldiers who act as the crew for the
siege engine, which is normally a trebuchet.
Each round, 4
archers fire from each side of the tower, and the trebuchet fires
once every 4 rounds.
Archers
AC: 14, 12
(Touch), 12 (Flat-footed)
Move: 30 ft
HP: 7 (1D8 +
2)
To-Hit: +3
Attacks: Long
Bow
Damage -
Arrows:
1D8
All Saves: +2
Men-at-Arms
AC: 16, 12
(Touch), 14 (Flat-footed)
Move: 25 ft
HP: 8 (1D10 +
2)
To-Hit: +3
Attacks:
Sword
Damage -
Long Sword:
1D8
All Saves: +2
Trebuchet
To-Hit: +4
(Only need to hit an aimed for area, not an individual)
Rate of Fire:
1 every 4 rounds.
Range Increment:
200 feet (Cannot hit things at ranges shorter than 100 feet)
Area effect:
10' square (Everyone/thing within the area of effect may make a
Reflex save DC 15 for half damage)
Damage: 6D6
(Crushing)
Minimum Crew: 4
 |
| An so the Pastoral Clerics were resigned to a forgotten past. Art By: Sergius Hrudy |
Pits
and Perils
Attacks: 1
(Sweep or Spit Acid)
Level: 9
Move: 30'
Size: H
Side: N
Number: 1
Treasure: Type
II
Sweep (Ex): All
targets in a 180 degree front facing arc and within 30 feet of the
Tower Slug can be struck with a successful to-hit roll. A single
to-hit roll is made, striking all those within the range according to
normal attack rules.
Susceptible to
Salt: A handful of salt burns a
Tower Slug as if it were a flask of acid, causing 1 Hit of damage per
use.
Immune to Mind
Effects: They are conditioned
only to obey their masters.
Spit Acid (Ex): A
Temple Snail can spit acid at an opponent. This spit works like the
Bolt spell only that it does 1D6 hits of acid damage with the same
bonuses for level as the spell. The Temple Snail may only do this 3
times per day.
The Tower -
The tower has a
standard compliment of 28 archers, 24 active and 4 in reserve. There
are 4 more men-at-arms within the tower to help fend off intruders.
There is a single iron-banded oak door at the front of the tower.
Atop the tower is another 6 soldiers who act as the crew for the
siege engine, which is normally a trebuchet.
Each round, 4
archers fire from each side of the tower, and the trebuchet fires
once every 4 rounds.
Archers
Attacks: 1
(Arrow)
Level: 1
Move: 30'
Size: M
Side: N
or L
Number: 28
(6 to each side and 4 in reserve)
Treasure:
Worn equipment only
Men-at-Arms
Attacks: 1
(Sword)
Level: 1
Move: 30'
Size: M
Side: N
or L
Number: 4
Treasure:
Worn equipment only
Trebuchet
Rate of Fire:
1 every 4 rounds.
Range Increment:
200 feet (Cannot hit things at ranges shorter than 100 feet)
Area effect:
10' square (Everyone/thing within the area of effect may make a save
for half damage)
Damage: 1D4+1
Hits
Minimum Crew: 4
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