Issue 5 Rereleased!

Claw/Claw/Bite is a resource for storytellers and gamemasters to help create thrilling worlds of adventure for your players to test their mettle in. In each issue, you'll find new characters, creatures, magic items, encounters, and locations for use in your campaigns. We also include little nuggets that will enrich your world with interesting details and intriguing features.

Our goal is to be a "one-stop shop" for you, the gamemaster. With little or no tweaking on your part, you will be able to drop any game element from Claw/Claw/Bite into your adventure setting and run it how you see fit. All of our creations are designed for d20 fantasy rules. And of course, everything is carefully reviewed and balanced to fit into your game without disrupting your play balance or dragging you too deep into the woods.

This issue of Claw/Claw/Bite includes:

* A new spell, Studied Divination
* Six new characters, including Morbane the Mad Monk of Elsemere
* A new magic items, the Paddle of Punishment
* A new creature, the Glacial Frost Worm
* A new location, the Hamlet of Elsemere
* And an encounter, the Ritual in the Woods.

Buy it here. Oh, and Happy Halloween, everyone!

Issue 15 Released!

Claw/Claw/Bite is a resource for storytellers and gamemasters to help create thrilling worlds of adventure for your players to test their mettle in. In each issue, you'll find new characters, creatures, magic items, encounters, and locations for use in your campaigns. We also include little nuggets that will enrich your world with interesting details and intriguing features.

Our goal is to be a "one-stop shop" for you, the gamemaster. With little or no tweaking on your part, you will be able to drop any game element from Claw/Claw/Bite into your adventure setting and run it how you see fit. All of our creations are designed for d20 fantasy rules. And of course, everything is carefully reviewed and balanced to fit into your game without disrupting your play balance or stumbling upon the Stalking Eye.

This issue of Claw/Claw/Bite includes:

* A new deity, Bachtoffen
* Three new dream spells including Dream Port
* Two new characters, two clerics with something extra
* Seven new creatures, including the Stalking Eye
* Seven new magic and mundane items, including "Three Strikes"
* Two new locations, including the Dream Plane
* And Session 1 of the new comic Trolls and Tribulations.

Buy it for $3 (cheap!) here!

Trolls and Tribulations - Session 1

Graphics: Jason Maggitti
Text: S.D. Hilderbrand

Aldric Tréburne

Older brother of Kilmore Tréburne, Aldric stayed home to care for the ailing family while Kilmore went forth in search of adventure. Now that the family is stabilized, thanks to Avandra's blessings, Aldric has now left home in search of his brother and his own adventure.

Along the way, he has met up with an eldarin war wizard and traveled from town to town, lending healing powers and fighting off brigands and ferocious wolves.

A playful, yet grounded, working-class elf, Aldric has developed many talents, though none that he pursues with more passion than his faith in Avandra, and healing in her name. he has been called too humorous for serious elven service, and too ill-mannered to ever represent his people abroad, so his only hope is in following his own dreams and desires.

He maintains his own gear, but is not too proud to ask for help in repairing or caring for it. His most prized possessions are a pair of ornate, buckled catgrace boots, a finely-carved shortbow +1 thunderburst, and his holy symbol of Faith to Avandra (+1d6 healing).

In addition, he wears a suit of chainmail with a small cape and carries an adventurer's kit in a backpack.

Aldric in your game: Aldric tells a decent tale, and with his diplomacy will likely have learned some things about the local area. As a healer, he is likely to have learned much of the recent adventurers of others. Aldric could serve as an NPC in a party that did not have a player in the leader role. He would allow the DM to give the party some extra healing without having a character overly bent on seeing his own will done.

Note: These are the 3.5 stats. For the 4th ed stats, visit our sister site, Tailslap.

Aldric Tréburne
Medium-size Male Elf (Wood)
Cleric 3
Hit Dice: (3d8)+3
Hit Points: 23
Initiative: +2
Speed: Walk 30 ft.
AC: 17 (flatfooted 15, touch 12)
Attacks: "Shriek" Shortbow (Shocking Burst/Masterwork) +5; Mace, Light +3;
Damage: "Shriek" Shortbow (Shocking Burst/Masterwork) 1d6; Mace, Light 1d6+1;
Vision: Low-light
Face / Reach: 5 ft. / 5 ft.
Special Qualities: +2 racial saving throw bonus against enchantment spells or effects., An elf who merely passes within 5 feet of a secret or concealed door is entitled to a Search check to notice it as if she were actively looking for it., Immunity to magic sleep effects., Spontaneous casting, Turn Undead (Su) 5/day (turn level 3) (turn damage 2d6+5)
Saves: Fortitude: +4, Reflex: +3, Will: +6
Abilities: STR 12 (+1), DEX 15 (+2), CON 13 (+1), INT 11 (+0), WIS 16 (+3), CHA 14 (+2)
Skills: Appraise 0; Balance -1; Bluff 2; Climb -2; Concentration 3; Craft (Untrained) 0; Diplomacy 4; Disguise 2; Escape Artist -1; Forgery 0; Gather Information 2; Heal 7; Hide -1; Intimidate 2; Jump -2; Knowledge (Arcana) 1; Knowledge (Religion) 1; Listen 5; Move Silently -1; Ride 2; Search 2; Sense Motive 3; Spellcraft 2; Spot 5; Survival 3; Swim -5;
Feats: Armor Proficiency (Heavy), Armor Proficiency (Light), Armor Proficiency (Medium), Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot, Shield Proficiency, Simple Weapon Proficiency
Challenge Rating: 3
Alignment: Neutral Good

Possessions: "Shriek" Shortbow (Shocking Burst/Masterwork); Chain Shirt; Arrows (20); Mace, Light; Outfit (Explorer's); Shield, Light; Holy Symbol; 40gp.
Deity: Avandra Domains: Luck, Healing

Spells:
Spells per Day: (4/3+1/2+1/0/0/0/0/0/0/ DC:13+spell level)
Cleric - Known:
Level 0: Cipher, Create Water, Cure Minor Wounds, Decode, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Dim, Dim Illumination, Guidance, Inflict Minor Wounds, Light, Light My Fire, Mending, Pain Touch, Puff of Wind, Purify Food and Drink, Read Magic, Resistance, Sort, Startle, Virtue
Level 1: Bane, Bless, Bless Water, Cause Fear, Command, Comprehend Languages, Cure Light Wounds, Cure Light Wounds, Detect Chaos, Detect Corruption, Detect Evil, Detect Good, Detect Infraction, Detect Law, Detect Undead, Divine Favor, Doom, Emotional Stability, Endure Elements, Entropic Shield, Entropic Shield, Glass Shape, Hide from Undead, Inflict Light Wounds, Magic Stone, Magic Weapon, Obscuring Mist, Protection from Chaos, Protection from Evil, Protection from Law, Purge Inner Darkness, Remove Fear, Sanctuary, Shield of Faith, Stabilize, Summon Monster I, Wall of Darkness
Level 2: Aid, Aid, Align Weapon, Augury, Bear's Endurance, Bull's Strength, Calm Emotions, Consecrate, Cure Moderate Wounds, Cure Moderate Wounds, Darkness, Delay Poison, Eagle's Splendor, Enthrall, Find Traps, Gentle Repose, Hold Person, Inflict Moderate Wounds, Make Whole, Owl's Wisdom, Remove Paralysis, Resist Energy, Restoration, Lesser, Shatter, Shield Other, Silence, Sound Burst, Spiritual Weapon, Status, Summon Monster II, Undetectable Alignment, Weaken Stone, Zone of Truth

Allie Chanovic

Allie is a fairly well-known prodigy of a bard who plays in and around the capital of Esrun. Occasionally adventures for the good of the Republic, but only if there's good money in it.

One fairly recent run-in with the undead has convinced her that she needs to learn to write and play music that appeals to their macabre sensibilities, so she has enrolled in the Convent Conservatory in Esrun's capital, where she is near to completing her studies in music and religion. This time has reminded her, somehow romantically, about the adventuring life and how she misses it. She is itching to get back out on the field of battle, on the right side and for the right price!

Allie Chanovic
Medium-size Male Human
Bard 5 Cleric 1

Hit Dice: (5d6)+(1d8)+6
Hit Points: 40
Initiative: +3
Speed: Walk 30 ft.
AC: 17 (flatfooted 14, touch 13)
Attacks: *Dagger -1;*Dagger (Thrown) +6;Shortbow +1 (Composite) +7; ;
Damage: *Dagger 1d4;*Dagger (Thrown) 1d4;Shortbow +1 (Composite) 1d6+1; ;
Vision: normal
Face / Reach: 5 ft. / 5 ft.
Special Qualities: Bardic knowledge (+7), Bardic music 5/day, Countersong (Su) for up to 10 rounds, Fascinate (Sp) can effect 2 creatures for up to 5 rounds, Inspire Competence (Su) +2 to skill checks for up to 2 minutes, Inspire Courage (Su) +1 to saves against charm or fear effects and +1 morale bonus on attack and damage rolls., May wear light armor without incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance., Spontaneous casting, Turn Undead (Su) 6/day (turn level 1) (turn damage 2d6+4)
Saves: Fort: +4, Ref: +7, Will: +6
Abilities: Str 11 Dex 16 Con 13 Int 14 Wis 10 Cha 17
Skills: Appraise 6; Balance 5; Bluff 4; Climb 2; Concentration 10; Craft (Untrained) 2; Decipher Script 4; Diplomacy 12; Disguise 3; Escape Artist 3; Forgery 2; Gather Information 10; Heal 3; Hide 5; Intimidate 3; Jump 1; Knowledge (Arcana) 4; Knowledge (History) 3; Knowledge (Local) 3; Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) 3; Knowledge (Religion) 3; Knowledge (The Planes) 3; Listen 1; Move Silently 4; Perform (Sing) 4; Perform (String Instruments) 10; Ride 3; Search 2; Sense Motive 2; Sleight of Hand 8; Speak Language (Elven) 1; Spellcraft 9; Spot 0; Survival 0; Swim 0; Tumble 5; Use Magic Device 6;
Feats: Armor Proficiency (Heavy), Armor Proficiency (Light), Armor Proficiency (Medium), Dodge, Mobility, Point Blank Shot, Quicken Spell, Scribe Scroll, Shield Proficiency, Simple Weapon Proficiency
Challenge Rating: 6
Alignment: Neutral Good
Possessions: Arrow; Dagger; Leather +2; Shortbow +1 (Composite); Spell Component Pouch; Travelers Outfit; Lute; Guitar; Hooded Cloak

Deity: Bachtoffen Domains: Community (Use calm emotions as a spell-like ability once per day. Gain a +2 competence bonus on Diplomacy checks.) Rune (Free Scribe Scroll feat.)
Spells:
Innate: Calm Emotions
Spells per Day: (3/4/2/0/0/0/0/0/0/ DC:13+spell level)
Bard - Known:
Level 0: Dancing Lights, Know Direction, Mage Hand, Message, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument
Level 1: Disguise Self, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Unseen Servant
Level 2: Glitterdust, Hold Person, Mirror Image
Spells per Day: (3/1/0/0/0/0/0/0/0/ DC:10+spell level)
Cleric - Known:
Level 0: Create Water, Cure Minor Wounds, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Guidance, Inflict Minor Wounds, Light, Mending, Purify Food and Drink, Read Magic, Resistance, Virtue

Bachtoffen

This neutral good deity provides access to the Community and Rune domains.

He is concerned with the role of music and knowledge in bettering humanity, and is favored by bards and scholars for his divine insight and divination.

His symbol is a tome with a lyre under a tree printed on the cover.

Wine of Song

This magical elixir works like a potion to improve the quality of songs sung by bards. It is a slight magic that enhances the natural quality of the wine to loosen vocal chords and remove inhibitions, improving the bonuses provided by the song by an additional point. The wine must be fully consumed for its effects to be felt.

This wine is produced using a unique style of grapes found only in the most enchanted vales. The wine can be either alcoholic or non-alcoholic, depending on how it is produced. Most bottles contain at least a moderate amount of alcohol.

Profession: Vintner of at least 5, Craft Wondrous Item, Price: 500gp per enhancement bonus per bottle.

Beacon Beetles

These bugs are employed for the vivid colors what explode out of their hides when they are slain. These colors are not unlike fireworks, providing beacons in the nearby environment. They are most often employed to defend regions where sentries would be less effective, since they can survive for long periods without meals. These beetles represent foes that must be encountered, leading to a warning that launches into the sky when they are vanquished.

Beacon Beetle
Size/Type: Medium Vermin
Hit Dice: 2d8+5 (14 hp)
Initiative: +1
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 17 (+6 natural, +1 dex), touch 10, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +1/+2
Attack: Bite +2 melee (1d4+1)
Full Attack: Bite +2 melee (1d4+1)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Acid spray
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., vermin traits
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +0, Will +0
Abilities: Str 13, Dex 12, Con 16, Int Ø, Wis 10, Cha 9
Skills: —
Feats: —
Environment: Forests, barren lands, and chasms
Organization: Cluster (2-5) or clique (6-11)
Challenge Rating: 2
Advancement: 3-4 HD (Medium); 5-6 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment: —

The typical beacon beetle is about 6 feet long. Bred exclusively in captivity, these creatures feed on whatever they can find, scavenging the areas around where they are left by those who raise them. They have been bred to stay in close proximity to where they are left. Beacon beetles usually occupy locations where there is little food, so they usually attack whatever comes within view out of hunger.

Acid Spray (Ex): When attacked or enraged by passersby, beacon beetles release a 10-foot cone of acidic vapor once per round. Those within the cone must succeed on a DC 13 Fortitude save or take 1d6+1 points of acid damage. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Truthberries

Found in the wild on slopes around the Central Valley, truthberries, or as they are known in the halfling community, welshabaer, have the effect of causing those who eat or drink their juice to remain honest, even under duress. The effect is similar to a zone of truth focused on the consumer of these berries, with a duration of anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour depending on how many berries are consumed.

Their oily outer skin gives them a texture almost of an olive in its own oil. These berries are seen in a number of forms, since they also work when baked into pies or distilled into wine or schnapps.

Truthberries can be used as the material components in various spells.

Forward thinkers in the Republic of Esrun have also used truthberries to calm warriors about to head into battle or negotiations by coating armor with their oil.

These berries sell for as much as 10gp per pound in regions far from the Central Valley, but since they grow in the wild, nobody has yet thought of trying to package them for markets.

Adventurer's Backpack

This backpack contains all the standard tools an adventurer would need: a shovel, a pick, a coil of 50' rope, 2 torches, flint and steel, pitons, a small mallet, a bedroll, a whistle, chalk, pouches to store dried food, etc. The exact contents vary, depending on the region where the backpack is bought. Some include medicinal herbs, candles, incense and other quasi-religious items.

Prices range from 3 to 10gp, depending on the size and contents.

Wine of Travel

These various vintages have been magically enhanced to provide teleportation to the regions where they are from. Blends teleport their drinkers to somewhere in the region where the grapes originate, whereas wines of travel specific to a field teleport their drinkers to that field. Vintners of this variety usually keep gazebos or other structures in their fields for their travelers to escape strong weather.

Other varieties have been keyed to other locations, such as castles, keeps, and crypts, depending on the garden of vines and the incantation which enchanted them.

Those who drink these wines often disappear in the night, and awake groggy under the effect of a hangover-like jetlag. The bottles remain where they are drunk, remnants of their consumption.

Minor conjuration; CL 3rd; Craft Wondrous Item, Profession: Vintner of at least 10, Prices range from 100 to 25,000 gp, depending on the rarity and choiceness of the destination; Weight 3 lb per bottle.

Purple Ooze

Purple Ooze
Size/Type: Large Ooze
Hit Dice: 5d10+20 (51 hp)
Initiative: –3
Speed: 10 ft. (2 squares)
Armor Class: 7 (–3 Dex), touch 5, flat-footed 5
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+6
Attack: Slam +6 melee (1d6+2 plus 2d6 acid)
Full Attack: Slam +6 melee (1d6+2 plus 2d6 acid)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Strong acid, constrict 1d6+2 plus 2d6 acid, improved grab, attack from below
Special Qualities: Blindsight 60 ft., immunity to cold and fire, ooze traits, transparent
Saves: Fort +10, Ref –2, Will –4
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 5, Con 22, Int —, Wis 1, Cha 1
Skills: —
Feats: —
Environment: Barren wastes
Organization: Solitary or vast ooze flows
Challenge Rating: 6
Treasure: Metal items dropped by their recent prey
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 6–8 HD (Large); 9–12 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: —

A purple ooze can grow to a diameter of up to 15 feet and a thickness of about 18 inches. A typical specimen weighs about 1200 pounds.

Combat

A purple ooze strikes like a monstrous wave, slamming opponents with its body.

Acid (Ex): A purple ooze secretes a digestive acid that quickly dissolves organic material and stone, but not metal. Any melee hit or constrict attack deals acid damage. Stone, leather and clothing dissolves and becomes useless immediately unless it succeeds on a DC 18 Reflex save. A stone or wooden weapon that strikes a purple ooze also dissolves immediately unless it succeeds on a DC 18 Reflex save. The save DCs are Constitution-based.

The ooze's acidic touch deals 25 points of damage per round to wooden, cloth and leather objects, but the ooze must remain in contact with the object for 1 full round to deal this damage.

Constrict (Ex): A purple ooze deals automatic slam and acid damage with a successful grapple check. The opponent's clothing, wood and leather armor take a –4 penalty on Reflex saves against the acid.

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a purple ooze must hit with its slam attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can constrict.

Transparent (Ex): A purple ooze is hard to identify, even under ideal conditions, and it takes a DC 15 Spot check to notice one. Creatures who fail to notice a purple ooze and walk into it are automatically hit with a melee attack for slam and acid damage. It resembles a gray ooze, but with a lightly translucent purple surface.

Attack from Below (Ex): A purple ooze can attack from below by slithering into the floor below the target, and dissolving the stone or wood that the target stands upon, sending them splashing into the purple ooze.

Pool (Ex): Multiple oozes can join up, forming a larger specimen. This is especially deadly when used with the attack from below ability, creating large flows and moats that surround their prey.