A little MCU Civil War for Blood of Heroes

I decided to stat up a few of the characters from Captain America: Civil War. Namely, Capt, Falcon, Bucky/Winter Soldier, and  Black Panther.

Did everyone see that Black Panther teaser trailer? Dang, that looks like it will be good.

One of these days I really need to play some Blood of Heroes. It has been a long time since I've played it, and I really enjoyed it.

Captain America

Dex: 8              Str: 6                Body: 7

Int: 7                Will: 9              Mind: 9

Infl: 8               Aura: 8             Spirit: 8

Initiative: 27                            Hero Points: 100

Powers: Recall 5, Regeneration 5, Running 5

Skills: Acrobatics 8 L, Artist (Painter) 5, Charisma: 10, Martial Artist 9 L, Military Science 8, Thief (Concealment, Escape Artist) 8 L, Vehicles 8 L, Weaponry 10

Bonus: Martial Artist has Focus of Will

Advantages: Ambidextrous, Medium Government Credentials, Intensive Training, Iron Nerves, Language (French), Leadership, Lightning Reflexes, Popularity, Sharp Eye, Connections: Avengers (High), SHIELD (High), Black Panther (High)

Drawbacks: Forced Exile, Public Identity

Equipment:

Shield (Body: 25, EV: 5, Gliding 2, Kinetic Absorption 10, Hardened Defenses) Limitation: Gliding only applies to throwing range.

UNIFORM (Body: 9, Radio Communication: 8)

Motorcycle (Str: 3, Body: 5, Running: 7, R#: 2)

Background:

Alter Ego: Steven Grant Rogers

Wealth: 7

Motivation: Upholding the Good

Occupation: Avenger

Marital Status: Single

Known Relatives: Joseph Rogers (father, deceased), Sarah Rogers (mother, deceased)

Base of Operations: Mobile

Height: 6’

Weight: 194 lbs

Age: 97 (biologically 31)

Eyes: Blue

Hair: Blond

Falcon

Dex: 6              Str: 4                Body: 5

Int: 6                Will: 7              Mind: 7

Infl: 5               Aura: 5             Spirit: 5

Initiative: 21                            Hero Points: 50

Skills: Acrobatics 6 L, Martial Artist 7 L, Medicine (First Aid, Medical Treatment) 7, Military Science 6 L, Vehicles 6 L, Weaponry 7

Bonus: Martial Artist has Focus of Will

Advantages: Intensive Training, Lightning Reflexes, Sharp Eye, Connections: Avengers (High), US Air Force (High)

Drawbacks: Public Identity

Equipment:

EXO-7 FALCON SUIT (Body: 5, Flight: 8, Projectile Weapons: 5, Radio Communication: 8) Limitation: Flight is winged.

Goggles (Body: 2, Microscopic Vision: 3, Shade: 3, Telescopic Vision: 3, Thermal Vision: 3, Ultra Vision: 3)

Redwing (Dex: 4, Str: 1, Body: 3, Int: 1, Flight: 8, Projectile Weapons: 4, Radio Communications: 8, Telescopic Vision: 4, Thermal Vision: 4, Ultra Vision: 4)

Background:

Alter Ego: Samuel Thomas Wilson

Wealth: 7

Motivation: Responsibility of Power

Occupation: Avenger

Marital Status: Single

Known Relatives: Unrevealed

Base of Operations: Mobile

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 174 lbs

Age: 37

Eyes: Brown

Hair: Black

Winter Soldier/ Bucky

Dex: 7              Str: 6                Body: 7

Int: 6                Will: 3              Mind: 2

Infl: 3               Aura: 3             Spirit: 3

Initiative: 20                            Hero Points: 50

Powers: Regeneration 5, Running 5

Skills: Acrobatics: 7 L, Martial Artist: 8, Medicine (First Aid): 6 L, Military Science: 6 L, Thief: 7L, Vehicles: 7 L, Weaponry: 10

Advantages: Double Jointed, Intensive Training, Iron Nerves, Language (Russian), Lightning Reflexes, Sharp Eye, Connection: Captain America (High), Black Panther (Low)

Drawbacks: Forced Exile, Guilt, Mistrust, Serious Physical Restriction (missing arm), Serious Psychological Instability, Socially Inept

Equipment:

ARM (Str: 7, Body: 9)

BODY ARMOR (Body: 8)

Knives (x2) (Body: 7, EV: 3)

Pistol (Body: 5, EV: 5, Range: 5, Ammo: 7, R#: 2)

Submachinegun (Body: 4, EV: 5, Range: 5, Ammo: 6, R#: 2)

Background:

Alter Ego: James “Bucky” Barnes

Wealth: 1

Motivation: Seeking Justice

Occupation: Fugitive

Marital Status: Single

Known Relatives: George M. Barnes (father, deceased), Winifred C. Barnes (mother, deceased)

Base of Operations: Mobile

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 195 lbs

Age: 99 (biologically 33)

Eyes: Blue

Hair: Brown

Black Panther

Dex: 9              Str: 5                Body: 6

Int: 8                Will: 9              Mind: 8

Infl: 7               Aura: 7             Spirit: 8

Initiative: 28                            Hero Points: 70

Powers: Running: 5

Skills: Acrobatics: 9 L, Animal Handling: 6, Charisma: 9, Gadgetry: 7, Martial Artist: 9 L, Medicine: 7, Military Science: 8 L, Thief: 9 L, Vehicles: 9 L, Weaponry: 9 L

Advantages: Ambidextrous, Area Knowledge (Wakanda), Credentials: Government (High), Double Jointed, Intensive Training, Iron Nerves, Language (English), Leadership, Lightning Reflexes, Sharp Eye, Connections: Captain America (High), Winter Soldier (Low), Wakandan Government (High), International Political Community (Low)

Drawbacks: Authority Figure, Public Identity

Equipment:

PANTHER HABIT (Str: 6, Body: 8, Claws: 7, Kinetic Absorption: 8)

Background:

Alter Ego: T’Challa Udaku

Wealth: 22

Motivation: Responsibility of Power

Occupation: King

Marital Status: Single

Known Relatives: T’Chaka Udaku (father, deceased)

Base of Operations: Wakanda

Height: 6’

Weight: 190 lbs

Age: 32

Eyes: Brown

Hair: Black

Dinosaurs & Stream of Annihilation

I've been sitting here for a little while thinking about statting up some more dinosaurs, because you really can't have enough dinosaurs. Then along comes Stream of Annihilation, and now I'm faced with deciding whether to still stat some dinos or accept that Wizards will probably be giving stats to about 15 more dinos in the near future.

I'm really looking forward to Tomb of Annihilation regardless.

Asmodeus, the Lord of the Ninth

I decided to take a shot at statting up Asmodeus. At this point, he's a full-fledged god (I think), so maybe this is just his avatar. Anyway, here he is.

Asmodeus is the lord of the Nine Hells. All of the other archdevils bow to his will. He can reshape any layer of Hell as he sees fit, change the form of any other devil (including the archdevils) at a whim, and he's instilled a huge sense of paranoia in all of his subordinates. You never know who might be a spy for the Lord of Nessus.

While clearly diabolical in appearance, he is still handsome. He also happens to be 13 feet tall. He wears such finery as would bankrupt many a mortal kingdom, and he wields the infamous Ruby Rod. An artifact of great beauty, glistening with an unearthly luster, and worth more than any mortal could hope to raise, the Ruby Rod is a powerful weapon of evil. It is also said that Asmodeus still has the bloody wounds that he gained when he was cast out of the Upper Realms, and when a drop of his blood touches the ground, a Pit Fiend or other powerful devil grows from that spot.

Asmodeus is always calm, charming, and seemingly in control. Even when someone manages to surprise him, which is pretty much never, he still gives one the sense that he is already three moves ahead of them. Asmodeus is also patient. Very, very patient. His plans can take thousands of years to unfold. He does not like to directly participate in combat if he can help it. He is certainly more than capable of defending himself, but he rather crush the wills of his enemies with his power. Failing that, he is more than happy to let his subordinates handle the task of killing adversaries. Such scut work is beneath him.

Asmodeus

Large fiend (devil), lawful evil

Armor Class 25 (natural armor)

Hit Points 620 (40d10+400)

Speed 40 ft.

Str        Dex      Con      Int        Wis      Cha

30        16        30        29        29        30

(+10)    (+3)      (+10)    (+9)      (+9)      (+10)

Saves Dex +12, Con +19, Wis +18, Cha +19

Skills Arcana +18, Deception +19, Insight +18, Perception +18, Persuasion +19

Damage Resistances acid, cold, lightning

Damage Immunities fire, poison; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical

Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned

Senses truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 28

Languages all, telepathy 120 ft.

Challenge 30 (155,000 XP)

Discorporation. When Asmodeus drops to 0 hit points or dies, his body is destroyed but his essence travels back to his domain in the Nine Hells, and he is unable to take physical form for a time.

Fear Aura. Any creature hostile to Asmodeus that starts its turn within 30 feet of him must make a DC 27 Wisdom saving throw, unless Asmodeus is incapacitated. On a failed save, the creature is frightened until the start of its next turn. If a creature’s saving throw is successful, the creature is immune to Asmodeus’ Fear Aura for the next 24 hours.

Innate Spellcasting. Asmodeus’ spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 27). He can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At will: charm monster, detect magic, dispel magic, fireball, suggestion, wall of fire

3/day: divine word, dominate monster, fire storm

Legendary Resistance (5/day). If Asmodeus fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.

Limited Magic Immunity. Unless he wishes to be affected, Asmodeus is immune to spells of 6^th level or lower. He has advantage on saving throws against all other spells and magical effects.

Magic Weapons. Asmodeus’ weapon attacks are magical.

Regeneration. Asmodeus regains 30 hit points at the start of his turn.

Ruby Rod. Any properties of the Ruby Rod that require a saving throw have a save DC of 19. Asmodeus can use an action to activate one of the following effects:

Cone of Cold: 75-foot cone, doing 70 (20d6) cold damage on a failed Dexterity saving throw, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Line of Acid: 150-foot line, doing 70 (20d6) acid damage on a failed Dexterity saving throw, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Line of Lightning: 150-foot line, doing 70 (20d6) lightning damage on a failed Dexterity saving throw, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Each effect may only be used 1/day.

While holding the Ruby Rod, Asmodeus possesses the Aura of Might. Any creature attempting to attack Asmodeus must first succeed on a Wisdom saving throw, acting normally on a successful saving throw, or prostrating itself before Asmodeus and rendering it Stunned until the start of its next turn on a failed saving throw.

Once per day, the Ruby Rod can activate the Reverie of Nessus as a reaction (see below). Any creature touching the Ruby Rod without Asmodeus’ permission takes 21 (6d6) necrotic damage every round that it touches it.

Actions

Multiattack. Asmodeus makes three attacks with his Ruby Rod.

Ruby Rod. Melee Weapon Attack: +19 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (2d8+10) bludgeoning damage plus 21 (6d6) necrotic damage.

Teleport. Asmodeus magically teleports, along with any equipment he is wearing or carrying, up to 120 feet to an unoccupied space he can see.

Reactions

Reverie of Nessus (1/day). Asmodeus can incase himself in a 10-foot spherical Wall of Force. The area 50 feet around the sphere, but not within it, becomes an antimagic field. This effect lasts for 3 round. On the first round, Asmodeus is purged of unwanted enchantments. On the second round, he is purged of any diseases, poison, or physical maladies (including missing body parts). On the third round, he is healed to full hit points and is refreshed as if he had just completed a long rest. This ability triggers automatically if Asmodeus ever fails a saving throws against an unwanted enchantment spell or effect.

Legendary Actions

Asmodeus can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Asmodeus regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.

Attack. Asmodeus makes one attack with his Ruby Rod.

Teleport. Asmodeus uses his teleport action.

Word of Submission (Costs 2 Actions). Asmodeus can force a single creature that can hear and understand his voice to make a DC 27 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, the creature submits to all of Asmodeus’ commands for 1 day, doing whatever he asks as if his every request was a suggestion spell that does not allow a saving throw. On a success, the creature cannot be affected by this ability ever again.

Asmodeus’ Lair

Asmodeus rules the Nine Hells from Fortress Nessus. This bleak citadel sits at the endpoint of The Serpent’s Coil, a vast spiraling canyon said to be where Asmodeus landed when he fell from the upper realms. Fortress Nessus is a place of splendor, every surface decorated with precious metals, rare fabrics, and gems of astonishing size. A sense of regret and despair permeates these splendid hallways, however, affecting those who stay too long with a powerful melancholy. Though the citadel seems uninhabited, with vast hallways that stretch for miles, the constant sound of weeping can be heard echoing from its walls.

Lair Actions

On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Asmodeus can take a lair action to cause one of the following effects: he can’t use the same effect two rounds in a row.

·        Asmodeus can summon any devil he wishes and compel it to provide a service.

·        Asmodeus radiates a debilitating cold that affects all creatures within 300 feet of him. Each creature other than Asmodeus must make a DC 27 Constitution saving throw or gain one level of exhaustion.

·        Asmodeus casts the command spell on every creature of his choice in the lair. He needn’t see each one, but he must be aware that an individual is in the lair to target that creature. He issues the same command to all the targets.

The Wereshark

There wereshark was originally created by John Eric Holmes, according to a source I looked at. It first appeared in AD&D in 1983 in Monster Maual II. It has since appeared a number of times in the different editions through the years.

Originally, the wereshark only had two forms: the humanoid form and the shark form. It gained a hybrid form in 3rd edition, though if I were to use one, I'd probably stick to the two forms. The wereshark detailed here is based on existing D&D material. The Razor Coast campaign from Frog God Games has a slightly different take on the wereshark (spoilers). They're still arrogant and cruel, but they are less individualistic due to being dedicated to an evil shark god. So you end up with groups of the darn things, and they do have the hybrid form.

Now on to the stats:

The original MMII picture.

Wereshark

Medium humanoid (human, shapechanger), neutral evil

Armor Class 11, 12 in shark or hybrid form

Hit Points 97 (15d8+30)

Speed 30 ft. (0 ft. in shark form), swim 40 ft. in shark or hybrid form

Str        Dex      Con      Int        Wis      Cha

18 (+4) 12 (+1) 15 (+2) 10 (+0) 11 (+0) 9 (-1)

Skills Perception +2

Damage Immunities bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical weapons that aren’t silvered

Senses blindsight 30 ft. in shark or hybrid form, passive Perception 12

Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)

Amphibious (shark or hybrid form only). There wereshark can breathe air and water.

Blood Frenzy. The wereshark has advantage on melee attacks against creatures that don’t have all of their hit points.

Shapechanger. The wereshark can use its action to change into a Large shark-hybrid or Large shark form, or back to its true form, which is humanoid. In shark-hybrid or shark form, it gains a swim speed of 40 ft., and loses its 30 ft. speed in shark form. All other stats, other than its size and AC, remain the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.

Actions

Multiattack. The wereshark makes two attacks, only one of which can be a bite.

Bite (shark or hybrid form only).Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8+4) piercing damage. If the target is a humanoid, it must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be cursed with wereshark lycanthropy.

Boarding Axe. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6+4) piercing or slashing damage or 8 (1d8+4) piercing or slashing damage if used with two hands.

A character cursed with lycanthropy gains a Strength of 18 if his or her score isn’t already higher, and a +1 bonus to AC while in shark or hybrid form (from natural armor). Attack and damage rolls for the natural weapons are based on Strength.

Weresharks are avaricious brutes, individualistic and always out for their own gain. As humanoids, they are muscular, frequently showing evidence of a shark attack in the form of scars or possibly even a missing limb. These old wounds are not evident when in shark form. Arrogant and cruel, weresharks are also fiercely territorial and will defend a claimed area to the death. The only creatures weresharks will usually associate with are real sharks, though it’s not unknown for a wereshark to cooperate with sahuagin or a priest of an evil sea god.

A wereshark fighting on land will use weapons appropriate to its previous maritime existence, such as a boarding axe. It much prefers to do its fighting in the water, where it has an advantage. Weresharks don’t tend to worry about infecting victims with lycanthropy. It’s a rare occurrence for a wereshark to leave a victim alive, so it rarely becomes an issue.

Of Gods, Demons, & Devils

I'm just going to ramble a bit about all those powerful supernatural entities D&D has running around in the Outer Planes.

Against The Wicked City talks a bit about how those demon lords & arch-devils used to be a bit closer in power level to the PCs. It is certainly true: powerful enough to be dangerous, but weak enough that a decently high level party could stand a chance of taking them out. As new editions have come and gone, we've seen these beings become increasingly more powerful.

It seems that 5e has kind of scaled it back a bit, though at CR 30, Tiamat could really ruin your party's day. Send her consorts along for the ride, & a 20th level party would probably decide to nope out, until better circumstances presented themselves.

Anyway, so far CR 30 is as high as things go, with the demon lords statted up so far being between CR 21 & 28. Of course, some of these guys used to be CR 35 or 40 or more, and I know some people don't like this downpowering.

I've decided to try to stat up a CR 30 Asmodeus. I'll be posting these stats soon. I know some people are going to be all "He's a god now. He shouldn't have stats at all or should be CR 45 at the least." A CR of 45 seems kind of pointless if you ask me.

If you can't stomach these ultra powerful beings being downgraded from previous versions, you do have options: aspects, proxies, & avatars.

Aspects are duplicates of an entity, bestowed with a small part of the being's power. They first appeared in the D&D miniatures game. They can be of various power levels and are used to represent the being in matters either too dangerous or too trivial for the entity to deal with directly. When they are created, and multiples can exist at the same time, they are of the same mind as their creator, but from that point on, they are essentially free-willed. Supposedly, an entity can create one really powerful aspect, but only one due to how much power is invested in the creation.

Aspects never willingly come near each other, and are likely to try to destroy each other if they are forced into each other's presence. If the original entity is destroyed, the aspects continue to exist, and it's possible for one to ascend to the position of the original entity.

I've never seen a proxy in an adventure, while I've seen aspects a few times. The proxy is a servant of the entity in question that has proven itself and is given a bit of the entity's power. So kind of similar to an aspect. The proxy then goes out to represent the interests of the boss.

An avatar is, I believe, a manifestation of the entity under the entity's direct control. It's not as powerful as the original, but it's still one bad mofo. If it's destroyed, the entity is all nice and safe back on it's home plane of existence.

If you've read this far, thanks. As I said, this was just a bit of rambling. Now the question is, do those stats written up for the demon lords & Tiamat represent the entities in their full glory? Or are they just avatars or aspects?

The Boarding Axe

I've been thinking about Frog God Games' Razor Coast campaign lately, which led me to think about the boarding axe. The boarding axe was a common maritime tool used for a variety of purposes, such as fire fighting, gathering firewood, smashing through doors, walls, etc, and of course, battle.

Boarding Axe Function and Form goes into much more detail about the various designs of the axe as well as its many varied uses. It's kind of an interesting read.

Based on what I've read there, this is what I've come up with for a boarding axe for 5e.

Boarding Axe   10 gp   1d6 slashing or piercing   3 lbs   Versatile (1d8), special

The boarding axe's spike may be used as a crowbar, granting advantage to Strength checks where the spike's leverage can be applied.

So what do you think? Balanced? In need of some work? Let me know.

A little Netflix MCU for Blood of Heroes

I haven't posted anything for a while, so I thought I'd put up some Blood of Heroes stats for some of the heroes from the various Netflix series. Daredevil season 1 & 2 have both been very good, and I enjoyed Luke Cage and Jessica Jones. I'm still not sure what to think about Iron Fist. In any event, here are some stats for the blind vigilante, the alcoholic private detective, and the wrongly accused former bar owner.

I've previously done some stats for characters from the Arrowverse:

Green Arrow, Arsenal, Speedy, and Merlyn

Sarah and Laurel Lance

Deathstroke and Wildcat

Daredevil

Dex: 9              Str: 4                Body: 6

Int: 7                Will: 9              Mind: 9

Infl: 6               Aura: 6              Spirit: 7

Initiative: 26                            Hero Points: 70

Powers: Analytical Smell and Taste/ Tracking Scent: 11, Detect (Lies): 11, Directional Hearing: 11, Hypersensitive Touch: 11, Life Sense: 11, Mind Over Matter: 10, Radar Sense: 11, Super Hearing: 11

Skills: Acrobatics: 9 L, Charisma: 8, Martial Artist: 9 L, Medicine (First Aid): 6, Military Science (Tracking): 9, Thief: 9 L, Weaponry: 10

Advantages: Ambidextrous, Area Knowledge (Hell’s Kitchen), Confidant (Father Lantom), Credentials (Legal), Double Jointed, Scholar (Law), Gift of Gab, Intensive Training, Iron Nerves, Language (Spanish), Lightning Reflexes, Local Hero, Sharp Eye, Connections: Claire Temple (High), Stick (High), Elektra (Low), Foggy Nelson (High)

Drawbacks: Enemy (Wilson Fisk), Guilt, Catastrophic Physical Restriction (Blind), Secret Identity

Equipment:

ARMORED SUIT (Body: 8)

Billy Club (Body: 8, EV: 3, Snare: 4, Stretching: 1) Bonus: Creates Swing-Lines

Background:

Alter Ego: Matthew Michael Murdock

Wealth: 5

Motivation: Seeking Justice

Occupation: Lawyer/ Vigilante

Marital Status: Single

Known Relatives: Jack Murdock (father, deceased)

Base of Operations: Hell’s Kitchen

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 175 lbs

Jessica Jones

Dex: 4              Str: 8                Body: 7

Int: 5                Will: 4              Mind: 4

Infl: 3               Aura: 3             Spirit: 4

Initiative: 12                            Hero Points: 40

Powers: Flight: 6, Iron Will: 4, Regeneration: 7, Running: 5

Skills: Artist (Actor): 4, Charisma (Intimidation): 5, Detective: 6

Advantages: Area Knowledge (Hell’s Kitchen), Sharp Eye, Connections: Luke Cage (High), Trish Walker (High), Jeri Hogarth (High) Claire Temple (Low)

Drawbacks: Guilt, Minor Irrational Attraction to Alcohol, Public Identity, Traumatic Flashbacks

Background:

Alter Ego: Jessica Jones

Wealth: 4

Motivation: Unwanted Power

Occupation: Private Investigator

Marital Status: Single

Known Relatives: Brian Jones (father, deceased), Alisa Jones(mother, deceased), Phillip Jones (brother, deceased), Trish Walker (adoptive sister), Dorothy Walker (adoptive mother)

Base of Operations: Hell’s Kitchen

Height: 5’9”

Weight: 126 lbs

Age: 34

Eyes: Green

Hair: Black

Luke Cage

Dex: 4              Str: 7                Body: 8

Int: 4                Will: 5              Mind: 5

Infl: 4               Aura: 4             Spirit: 4

Initiative: 14                            Hero Points: 40

Powers: Skin Armor: 2

Skills: Charisma: 6, Martial Artist (Assault, Blocking, Techniques): 6, Vehicles (Land): 5

Advantages: Area Knowledge (Hell’s Kitchen), Iron Nerves, Connection: Jessica Jones (High), Claire Temple (High)

Drawbacks: Enemy (Diamondback), Public Identity

Background:

Alter Ego: Luke Cage

Wealth: 4

Motivation: Unwanted Power

Occupation: Former Bar Owner

Marital Status: Widowed

Known Relatives: Reva Connors (wife, deceased)

Base of Operations: Hell’s Kitchen

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 187 lbs

Age: 36

Eyes: Brown

Hair: Black